Harwich info

[The Docta]

A tragic loss.

I only met Ian once but have to say his enthusiasm for powerboat racing was truly infectious! A font of knowledge and such a passionate, warm and friendly person.

My thoughts are with all of Ian's family and friends.

[Jon Fuller]

...And farewell.

Yesterday at 1pm, the racing community in Harwich travelled in a parade to the spot where Ian lost his life to pay respect and lay flowers. A very sombre moment.

As the various craft dispersed back to port, the V24 fleet, prompted by Cliffy Smith gave a deafening 'V8 on the rev limiter' salute to Ian.

.

[kranky]

Originally Posted by kranky

I was honoured to be asked to navi for Ian at Blackpool this news is so sad,I'm going to miss his cheeky smile and the hugs we always shared whenever we saw each other,rest in peace Stir,I'm really gonna miss ya xx

It was Blackpool,so sorry

[bigdog v2]

The crew of V2 Cliff Mark and Erin Will sadly miss the challenge of the close racing we had with Ian. A true gentleman of the sport who will be sadly missed on and off the water R.I.P. Ian.

[Pearny]

Been thinking of words to best describe Ian.

To me, Ian was a fellow competitor and an amazing friend, and may I say farther figure. He was a true gentleman through and through. He was a true friend, always willing to give his up most time and advice. He was Honourable, honest, reliable, steadfast, wise, true friend to all, helpful, courteous, kind, caring, considerate, generous, funny.

Ian was the one true gentleman who always stood out from the rest. It was an honour to have been his friend and to compete alongside him.
The words he always liked using howling and awesome
He will never be forgotten!!! Stir The True Legend - Hero To Us All.

Kind thoughts to all the family and AD

[Gav]

just to let you all know regarding Ady Dickinson. he is ok and has very badly bruised shoulder and legs. no broken bones and no head injury. i've just had a chat with him poor guy is devastated as we all are.
gav

[Jono]

Just caught up with this.
What a Gentleman, what a "good bloke", what a tragedy. May it be some help to his family in getting through this awful time, knowing that everyone he met, no matter how briefly, has fond memories of the man.

[Jon Fuller]

Received via Pat Peedel today.....

Rohese, Ian Stirling's partner of many years, would like to express her gratitude to everyone for marking the tragic loss of her beloved Ian in such a moving and beautiful ceremony at sea yesterday in Harwich. She said Ian would never have believed they were all there for him. Class 3, OCR, V24, Marathon Class, Thundercats, Safety Boats & Officials, the RNLI, the Police and many unknown cruisers and yachts with flags at half mast made an unbearable situation into something quite special. Thank you all.

[RHINO]

I don't know how to put this into words, but I must have been one of the last to talk to my friend Ian and we were saying if we give this sport up what would we do as it is part of our lives? So shall we do another year? The answer was yes .As I have raced against Ian for many years I always looked up to him as master in the rough and to get anywhere near him was an achievement, so I am totally stunned by this tragedy.
Brian c13
Chairman ORDA

[TEAM-ATS]

Rest in Peace Ian, you were an ambassador for the sport of powerboat racing and you will be sadly missed but not forgotten.
A true legend

[snapper66]

Ian was one of the good guys.
Since I have started taking pics and been involved with O. R. D. A, its like being involved in a big family ,so losing Ian is like losing a family member.
Taking pics on and off the water you get very close to them.
Rest in Peace Ian you were a great guy.

[Night Nurse]

Stirling the Legend!! His presence and personality will be greatly missed! Somone who was at my side from my very first days of racing, one of his OCR boats was my first ever boat. He was always helping, always laughing, it was an honour knowing and learning from him, and pleasure to have raced with him! My thoughts and best wishes to the family, Ian R.I.P and god bless

[OCRDA]

On behalf of all of us at OCRDA having been speaking with him on the pontoon prior to the race I can only reiterate all that has been said already that Midlands Navy Admiral Old Beardy was indeed one in a million and will be sorely missed.

[OCRDA]

post from www.ocrda.org forum

Both Irene and I were shocked and saddened to hear of the tragic death of Ian, he was a great racer, team player and of course a true gentleman, our hearts and thoughts go out Rohese and family at this sad time, Ian lived to race and died doing a sport that he loved, he will be sadly missed and always remembered.

With Respect

Jeff & Irene.

[S2art]

Words are sometimes very hard to find especially on occasions like this, and I can only agree with everything thats has been said. So Rest In Peace Ian and God Bless. Gone but never Forgotten.

So at the next race meeting let everyone raise a glass and celebrate Ian's life in the manner in sure he would expect.

[Lance]

Devastated is an understatement! Ian was one of the nicest gentlemen and racers I have ever had the pleasure of meeting, spending time with on and off the water and I am honoured to have won last year’s championship the same year he did. I was able to speak to Rohese on Sunday and her words to me were ' Ian would want you to remember the good times!' With Ian there were only good times and I know that anyone who knew Ian will have their own good times to remember and I hope that helps you deal with this tragic loss.
To be able to join all of the other competitors, safety, police, RNLI and pleasure craft on Sunday’s tribute was an honour and an occasion I will never forget, even looking back at the shore to see all of the people who couldn’t make it onto the water saying fair well to a true legend.
I would like to say a huge thank you to Marcus Johnson for assisting Ian at the time of his crash and to all of the safety crews, medical staff, crane gang at the wet pits and the event staff that I am sure will still be dealing with this for some time.
My deepest sympathy goes out to Rohese and Ian’s family!
God rest his soul and thank you for being a true friend!

[DAVE]

I'm still reeling from what has happened to be honest, all Sunday I was expecting Ian to just walk round the corner at any moment.

As Ian kep telling Rohese, he was a sporting legend.....and that he was. That man could drive in rough water, thats for sure. He called me last year and asked me to race in the Europeans in Finland with him..no hesitation in answering him. We had the best of weeks out there and Marcus Johnsson, Thomas Wrenkler and all made us so welcome. One of the best weeks of my life.

To echo Lance above, I would like to thank Marcus for stopping to help, and also Thomas and Annika Wrenkler, and all the French crews, for showing such respect on the Sunday, at the remembrance ceremony on the water. I thought they showed true class.

RIP Ian...we loved you man.

Dave S
C-13

[RHINO]

Now my head's a bit more together today, I would like to thank everyone on behalf of myself and the rest of ORDA for the most fitting ceremony for Ian at Harwich on Sunday. To all the race teams and their families, the Safety crews, Officials, RNLI, Police, Medics, the unknown who paid their respects, we thank you. To Rohese for being so brave. To the pier master who doffed his hat to Rohese as she left the pier after the ceremony, To the family who bowed their heads as we left the pits on Sunday night, To the French crews who made a sad event dignified, to the Scandinavians who made a half mast flag pole. To Ady for holding the Minute's silence flag for his friend even though he must have been in pain. For the revving of the engines. For Stuart and Jess for organising the flowers. To the wives and girlfriends for coming together for each other. To Rohese's parents for coming so far, so quickly for her. There must be so many more. Thank you.

Brian, Pat & ORDA

[Pearny]

Pictures of ian from family saying Please everyone enjoy these photos of Ian doing what he loved best!

[DAVE]

Nice one Pearny.....