A Who’s Who of Australian rallying attended the late Mike Morris’s last event yesterday at St Marys Church Bungendore. Mike passed away after a motorbike accident in Yass just before New Year.
Mike was a great competitor, winning many events and the ACT Championship in the 80's. He also officiated at many rallies and could often be seen in car 0 at the Rally of Canberra.
Mike competed in many cars including a black Ford Capri, Mazda RX 2,Escort, Celica and a Corolla. He was planning to compete this year in a Classic Celica built by himself and Karl Willett.
In 30 degree steamy heat, the mourners were greeted to the sounds of Webbers and fuel injection as a representative sample of rallying’s rich history made their solemn way through the streets of Bungendore, preceding the funeral cars to celebrate Mike’s rallying history.
The church was filled to overflowing with the nearby hall being pressed into service with a video feed for the overflow of mourners. A moving service followed, highlighting a life of family devotion and extoling Mikes good points.
Mourners then returned to the finish location of Mike’s last event at Eastlakes Football Club in Griffith. Lifelong friend, Col Trinder, assembled a very moving photo tribute to Mike for the big screen and spoke very passionately about his life and some great rallying experiences. Mike’s trophies and helmet were on display and mourner’s signed a condolence book.
The afternoon was a great tribute to Mike, with many faces not seen for many years re-emerging form obscurity: Ross Greenwood, a well known former Canberra competitor, Brisbane resident Hannu Roppola, Graham Vaughan, Peter Clarke and many others.
Mike was a founding member of the Australian classic Rally Association and he assisted in the formulation of the current CAMS Classic regulations.
The Rally community extends its deepest sympathies to his family. He will be missed and as we all get that just bit closer to the final control, his friends and family celebrated life – the life of Mike Morris.
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