Stuart Turner – Master and Commander
June 1933 – September 2025
An appreciation is too mild an expression when lamenting the life of Stuart Turner, Master and Commander, a visionary who orchestrated change and triumph in the world of motor sport, it would be better to call this short obituary a homage.
Stuart was an accountant who turned rally co-driver and navigator extraordinaire. He morphed into a journalist and then architect of major motor sport campaigns on behalf of manufacturers which transformed their sales fortunes and created star drivers who were, and are still, forever in his debt.
He was erudite, sharp, avuncular and a raconteur as his great wit and repartee was in evidence when he entertained audiences from Sir Jackie Stewart and his star gatherings at Gleneagles, to the most rural motor club prize giving crowd in Norfolk. His After Dinner speeches were of legend, like the man himself. Even then, he was meticulous in his delivery and preparation as he would set his wife the task of timing the laughs with stopwatch in hand, to analyse reaction afterwards. Key learnings would be incorporated for the next gig.
I was one of his many thousands of fans who he entertained, in awe not just of his wit, but his motor sport prowess as an architect of truly successful programmes, a Master and Commander of winning campaigns that are etched in rally history. His creativity, push, and support for grass roots motor sport and causes, is just a part of what made the wonderful man that Stuart Turner was. Ultimately his incredible work and energy made the Motorsport Safety Fund such a success.
He had not heard of rallying or been interested in motor sport in the mid-fifties when he was invited by his sister and boyfriend to go on a rally. When they got lost, he picked up the maps got them back on course and then simply fell in love with the sport.
He was hooked. Stuart forged a successful career as a rally navigator becoming a star of the road rallying scene, such was his devotion. He became the very first British Rally Champion alongside Ron Gouldbourn in 1958 and then to underline his talent, he won back-to-back titles in 1959, this time with John Spinzel as driver.
He was recognised amongst Europe’s best when he won the 1960 RAC Rally with Swede Erik Carlsson in the SAAB.
Then it was all change. Stuart became a journalist with Motoring News becoming Sports Editor and creating the memorable and much-loved Motoring News Rally Championship. And then came another switch as he was appointed Competition Manager at the British Motor Corporation (BMC) where he revolutionised the programme. He slimmed it down to work with the Austin Healey 3000 and the Mini Cooper S as he persuaded star drivers to sign up.
Most will remember the incredible ‘Giant Killing’ performance of the Mini Cooper S in the classic red and white colours as Timo Makinen won top rallies and then Paddy Hopkirk won the star-studded Monte Carlo Rally in 1964, making the Mini world famous with resultant sales to go with the glory.
Stuart was astute and aware. As a journalist he knew the value of this win and somehow managed to convince the producers of the then biggest variety show on TV, ‘Sunday Night at the London Palladium,’ hosted by Bruce Forsyth (with an audience of 20 million), that he could get the very car and crew from Monte Carlo and onto the carrousel for the finale of the programme to wave to the millions that night. It somehow happened, cue more sales for the cute, innovative little machine and kudos for the Master and Commander.
When BMC merged with British Leyland in 1968, Stuart was on the move to Castrol as Deputy Publicity Manager, away from motor sport. But before he did so, he received an offer from Walter Hayes at Ford to take over the Competitions Department, but he declined as Stuart felt it was ‘ungentlemanly’ given his allegiance to BMC. Later in 1968 on a break from Castrol as a travelling marshal on the London Syndney Marathon, he received another revised offer from Ford – he didn’t refuse the second time around!
He became Ford’s Director of Motor Sport, and under his direction Ford won the first ever World Rally Driver’s Championship with Bjorn Waldegard driving. Ford also took the Manufacturer’s title that same year.
From Escort Championships to WRC and F1 involvement, there were great cars, drivers, and campaigns. The Sierra and Escort Cosworth programmes were his, right through to overseeing the Ford RS200 for Group B.
Stuart retired in 1990 but continued his work with grass roots motor sport, safety and, of course, his after dinner speaking. He wrote 20 books and was passionate about motor sport until his sad death at 92.
He will be forever remembered by HERO-ERA as one of the founders of road rallying, a map man with a real heart full of passion for the sport. The manufacturers, teams and drivers loved him, they trusted and inwardly admired him. His forward thinking and creativity translated into genuine glory for BMC, Castrol and Ford, whilst laying foundations of safety and sports development for those that have followed.
For me, he was an absolute star with acclaimed versatility, yet always humble and acutely embarrassed when congratulated for his success. For all that he achieved in his incredible life, he will always remain the Master and Commander.
HERO-ERA offers its condolences for his sad loss to his family and friends and many admirers around the world.