R.I.P. Rex Pollock (Tauranga and Baypark) (Read 8,697 times)

[BarryB]

One of the best known names in speedway outside of the star drivers, Tauranga's Rex Pollock is now at peace after his long battle with cancer ended earlier this morning (8/2/2015).

Rex's Todd & Pollock business was naming rights sponsor for many years at both the old and new Baypark Speedways, and they supported two amazingly presented Super Saloons, but T & P will likely be remembered best for their support of the Todd & Pollock Baypark Busters which were formed in time for the 1992/93 season. Under that name, or later the Pollock Cranes Baypark Busters (Pollock & Sons was formed in 2008 after Rex had sold Todd & Pollock in 2006), they had an amazing strike rate at the Palmerston North Teams Champs, especially considering they were absent for many years with either no track (between the old and new Bayparks) or no class (when the local promoter dropped Superstocks from the schedule). They first won Palmy in 1994 at their first attempt, repeating the dose in 2003, 2004 and 2014. The Baypark Brawlers, in blue instead of the familiar orange, just last night finished 3rd in 2015. How ironic you passed "Teams Weekend" Rex.

Rex Pollock is survived by his loving wife Cheryl and their children and grandchildren. A true Tauranga/BoP legend, he was involved in supporting many causes outside of speedway, but speedway is what we here at macgor's will remember, and eternally thank, him for.

Rex is one of the most remarkable New Zealander's I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. I will miss him.

R.I.P. Rex. Gone but will NEVER be forgotten............

More details later.........

Barry B



Rex Pollock proudly holds the Palmy Teams Champs trophy aloft in 1994




Todd & Pollock Racing before the 1993/94 season; (back L to R) Butch Sutton,
Dutchy, Craig Pierce, Clark Proctor, Mark Decke, Ian Carlyle & Steve Pollock
(front L to R) Leslie Asplet and Square Bush




At the DB Breweries with the 1994 Palmy Teams Champs trophy (Craig Taylor
had replaced an injured Mark Decke)





The Baypark Busters' sixth driver, 1994 style; the legendary Square Bush

[Admin]

Condolences to Rex's family. There is no doubt all followers of NZ speedway will be saddened by today's news but also a time to reflect on the wonderful input that enriched our favorite sport. He definitely won't be forgotten.

[Go Slideways]

Condolences to Rex's family and friends.

2014


free screen capture software

[sonic33]

Thanx Rex for everything you have done for the sport.

BP speedway old and new owe a lot to Rex.

Will see everyone at the funeral.

Thorts and condolences to family.

[BarryB]

Rex's funeral is this Saturday afternoon, February 14th at 1pm, at Baypark.

Barry B

[Topcat]

Our sincerest condolences to the Pollock family and the Baypark community - Rex was a wonderful supporter of Baypark, his commitment was second to none. We had some awesome social events in the early years even before the Baypark Busters were born. Rex will be catching up with some of those other legends of Baypark now, Ron Fredrickson, Murray Taylor and Ross Decke just to name a few. RIP. Rex & Del Nield, Gisborne

[BarryB]

Baypark has a speedway meeting on Saturday night too, so it's going to be a busy time for the stadium and its staff.

Barry B

[Murray Guy (Grandad)]

[BarryB]

Saturday was a fantastic celebration of Rex's life, with hundreds of people from all walks of his life (including many drivers, both past and present) turning up to farewell the great man. Outside the TECT Arena was a display of orange cranes and orange Superstocks, the entry flanked by two more cranes with their hoists up and dangling Pollock-orange flags. And guess what colour the coffin was?

Rex Pollock made a difference to the lives of a lot of people, and for speedway fans both in the BoP and nationwide he will be long remembered. We may very of had all of our Stockcar and Superstock teams in matching bodywork in 2015 without Rex. Somebody would have eventually made it happen. But in 1992 he made SURE it happened, and while the rest of the country initially hated the Todd & Pollock Baypark Busters and everything they stood for, time has proven they were on the right track and they are now arguably one of the most popular teams in the country. To me, this is Rex's legacy to speedway. Every team from every track in the country has now followed Rex Pollock's lead, and speedway is better for it.

A nice on-track tribute, led by Kerry Remnant's Superstock followed by all of the drivers (on foot) competing at BP on Saturday night, was held before racing commenced. After a minute's silence the double waved-chequers were dropped on the Pollock-orange Superstock.

I'll post a couple of pics later.

Barry B