Motorsport
David Kirk of Gore is one of four tireless workers recently awarded Life Membership of the Eastern Southland Car Club.
“I didn’t see it coming,” said Kirky as he is known throughout motorsport. “It took a little while to sink in but I am thrilled, it is an honour to have Life Membership bestowed on you. Every time I look at the plaque that I was presented with it is something special and I will treasure it.”
‘Kirky’ was recognised for his contribution locally after over 40 years of being there for the club.
He takes up the story. “It would have been 1984 or 85 when I became involved in the club. I wasn’t a member initially but just started helping out.”
From a background of moto-x and dirt bikes it was while working as an apprentice panel beater at GWD’s in Gore that his journey into the club’s activities began. “A right rear guard was being repaired on local rally ace, Barry Robinson’s Chevette. That’s how it started. I was asked if I wanted to be a Block Marshall on an event. A year later, I was part of Inky Tulloch’s Service Crew on Rally Southland. It was a night event and I remember hopping out of the van in Te Anau and sliding on the ice.” He was also part of the Service Crew for another Eastern Southland driver Graham Crawford at one time.
From those beginnings Kirky has gone on to hold multiple of roles and helping out in a variety of ways within the club.
“I have helped at Autocross events and hillclimbs. I’ve done most things. I’ve competed in Autocross as well and my kids have too. Latterly, I have been more involved in the rally scene acting as a block marshall, start/finish crew and other roles.”
“I have been entrusted with setting up stages. I generally start on a Tuesday setting up spectator points. Then on the day of a rally, I am involved in safety and pre-safety.”
Kirky was also Clerk Of The Course for the Wyndham Rally when it originally took place in the 1980’s and 90’s and also performed the role for the Gore Rally in the early 90’s.
“Coming from my dirt bike background this club suited me as there are a lot of gravel events. It made my understanding of the events easier.”
“I have been on and off the club committee over the years.” Kirky’s work at national level for around ten years taking a fairly hefty toll as he was away often. He also had a “two or three year term” in the Presidents role in the late 90’s.
“Of late I have done a lot of marshalling at autocross events, starting everyone and I look forward to having a skid in my own car as well.”
“I just jump in and help when called upon.”
As well as his Life Membership of his local club Kirky has been recognised at national level too.
In 2024 he received an Award of Merit acknowledging many years’ service to motorsport at the Motorsport New Zealand Awards.
For around fifteen years Kirky was a motorsport steward and was then asked to take a Deputy Event Director role around the Motor Race Championship watching television and videos and dispensing penalties when required which he did for six years.
Kirky also became a member of the Motorsport New Zealand Clubsport Committee responsible for running the National Clubsport Championship. He also revitalised the NZ Hillclimb Championship, worked on drift projects, and was then voted onto Motorsport NZ Executive for 6 years.
He also had a spell in the United States working for Dave White Motorsport. “I drove the transporter all over the US. Tony George (CEO of Indianapolis Motor Speedway) was one of our drivers and he has worked for many of New Zealand’s top rally drivers.
“I am off back to my club now to do more for the club as well as enjoying my own participation in motorsport,” he said after his national recognition and that he has done.
He claims motorsport is his addiction. “I don’t care whether I’m a flag marshall, on the radio, in it or running it, I just love being involved.”
Photograph: David Kirk (with microphone) after receiving his Life Membership Award from Eastern Southland Car Club President Nigel King – please credit Steve Russell.