Post by tiroto on Jun 1, 2024 8:24:17 GMT 12
RIP Herbie
Whilst his name may have been Mike Herbert, to everyone at the Rotorua Stockcar Club he was just “Herbie”. The man with the Biggest smile and the Cup Half Full attitude to Everything!!!!
Even when first diagnosed the smile and the positivity didn’t go, he was going to do whatever he could to beat it, and he did for a bit. Then when it was obvious that he was losing the battle, despite how dire his prospects were, he still had the most amazing attitude that he was going to go and do the things he had always wanted to do, like buy a Mustang, even though he knew he wouldn’t drive it often and go the Australia, which he did.
Herbie raced both a Stockcar and Superstock for the Rotorua Club. He began in the 1991/92 season in the Stockcar Class with Car No 33 and in that year won the Best First Year Driver. He carried on through to 1994/95 and in that year drove a Stockcar but with a change of number to 96. It was in the 1995/96 year that he was in the Rotorua Rascal Team, along with Craig Beaumont, Callan Hose and Jeff Miller that won the NZ Stockcar Teams Champs in Palmerston North. Then in the following year, defending the title at home with Kevin Brooks and Ivan King in the Team as well.
In 2003 Mike decided that he would give Superstocks ago and was awarded the Best First Year Driver. Not only was he Best First Year Driver he then represented the Rotorua Rebels at Palmerston North from 2003 up until 2008. In both the 2004/05 and 2005/06 seasons he was awarded Most Valuable Team Member for the Rebels Team. 2005 also saw him awarded the Swine Trophy (Stirrer), there is no doubting that bought an even bigger smile to his face. Herbie continued in the Superstock Class up until the end of the 2012 season.
2012/13 and it was back to the Stockcar Class with his No 52 and winning the Club Championship. In the 2013 and 2014 seasons Herbie took on the Manager’s roll for the Rascals and then in 2020/21 went back into the team and was awarded the Most Valuable Team Member. 30 years after he first raced a stockcar he was back in the Rascals team for the 2021/22 season. Not only did he teams race but when it came time that he decided he wasn’t keen to teams race anymore he leant his car to Brent Stewart, who went on to drive it at various other meetings with a lot of success.
In the last couple of years there is no doubt he will have got a great deal of pleasure watching Ashleigh driving his car, and giving as good as she got.
Not too many drivers get Most Valuable Team Member in both classes which is a testament to the driver and the man he was. We will sorely miss that big courageous smile, and those who have raced with him for over 30 years will miss the battles on the track, and a special friendship off it.
Watching Herbie and Ash have their own little battle out there on the track just a few short weeks ago bought a smile and a tear to all of us there.
Herbie’s Funeral will be at the track on Wednesday 5th of June at 1pm followed by refreshments at St Michaels Rugby and Sports.
Rest Easy Herbie. (Rotorua Club Facebook)
Whilst his name may have been Mike Herbert, to everyone at the Rotorua Stockcar Club he was just “Herbie”. The man with the Biggest smile and the Cup Half Full attitude to Everything!!!!
Even when first diagnosed the smile and the positivity didn’t go, he was going to do whatever he could to beat it, and he did for a bit. Then when it was obvious that he was losing the battle, despite how dire his prospects were, he still had the most amazing attitude that he was going to go and do the things he had always wanted to do, like buy a Mustang, even though he knew he wouldn’t drive it often and go the Australia, which he did.
Herbie raced both a Stockcar and Superstock for the Rotorua Club. He began in the 1991/92 season in the Stockcar Class with Car No 33 and in that year won the Best First Year Driver. He carried on through to 1994/95 and in that year drove a Stockcar but with a change of number to 96. It was in the 1995/96 year that he was in the Rotorua Rascal Team, along with Craig Beaumont, Callan Hose and Jeff Miller that won the NZ Stockcar Teams Champs in Palmerston North. Then in the following year, defending the title at home with Kevin Brooks and Ivan King in the Team as well.
In 2003 Mike decided that he would give Superstocks ago and was awarded the Best First Year Driver. Not only was he Best First Year Driver he then represented the Rotorua Rebels at Palmerston North from 2003 up until 2008. In both the 2004/05 and 2005/06 seasons he was awarded Most Valuable Team Member for the Rebels Team. 2005 also saw him awarded the Swine Trophy (Stirrer), there is no doubting that bought an even bigger smile to his face. Herbie continued in the Superstock Class up until the end of the 2012 season.
2012/13 and it was back to the Stockcar Class with his No 52 and winning the Club Championship. In the 2013 and 2014 seasons Herbie took on the Manager’s roll for the Rascals and then in 2020/21 went back into the team and was awarded the Most Valuable Team Member. 30 years after he first raced a stockcar he was back in the Rascals team for the 2021/22 season. Not only did he teams race but when it came time that he decided he wasn’t keen to teams race anymore he leant his car to Brent Stewart, who went on to drive it at various other meetings with a lot of success.
In the last couple of years there is no doubt he will have got a great deal of pleasure watching Ashleigh driving his car, and giving as good as she got.
Not too many drivers get Most Valuable Team Member in both classes which is a testament to the driver and the man he was. We will sorely miss that big courageous smile, and those who have raced with him for over 30 years will miss the battles on the track, and a special friendship off it.
Watching Herbie and Ash have their own little battle out there on the track just a few short weeks ago bought a smile and a tear to all of us there.
Herbie’s Funeral will be at the track on Wednesday 5th of June at 1pm followed by refreshments at St Michaels Rugby and Sports.
Rest Easy Herbie. (Rotorua Club Facebook)
