Motorsport Australia is saddened to learn of the passing of Motorsport Australia Life Member, Ann Thomson.
 
Ann dedicated her life to the sport, having been a competitor, official and administrator for more than six decades.
 
While she achieved so much during her time in the sport, she was best known for her involvement in creating one of the most popular hill climb courses in Australia, the Mount Cotton Hillclimb.
 
Born in 1924, it took Ann 30 years to fully embrace  the sport, acquiring her Motorsport Australia racing licence (or CAMS licence as it was then) in 1956.
 
From that time on, she was a regular at many race meetings across the east coast, gaining the respect of fellow competitors through her large collection of racing vehicles, her raw talent behind the wheel and her genuine passion for the sport.


 
Not only did she excel in circuit racing, she also ran in multiple rallies – one of her most notable outings being the 1970 Round Australia Rally where she competed in a Holden Kingswood.
 
Outside of being a competitor, Ann found the time to be a volunteer official at many events around Queensland, which included several state championship events as Clerk of the Course, as well as being a Course Checker for Australian Rally Championship rounds.
 
In the 1960s, Ann’s experience in business also saw her appointed as Motorsport Australia’s Queensland Treasurer before becoming the assistant Queensland State Secretary. Ann’s devotion to the sport and Motorsport Australia was evident in the fact that she served the State Council for 38 continuous years as a volunteer administrator.
 
It was during this time that she helped create Mount Cotton’s iconic hill climb course, some of which passes through her own property, in conjunction with the MG Car Club of Queensland.
 
Throughout her later years, Ann’s dedication to the sport never waned and she remained active at many events as a volunteer official, most often as a timekeeper.


 
Not only did Ann do plenty of everything in Queensland, but she also received many accolades from Motorsport Australia during her life for her contributions to the sport, including a Service Award, a Service Star and Motorsport Australia Life Membership.
 
“Ann was undoubtedly one of the greats of our sport, not just in Queensland but around Australia. Our community has lost someone special,” Motorsport Australia CEO Eugene Arocca said.
 
“During her time in the sport she truly was an all rounder and played a major role in the growth of motorsport in Queensland. 
 
“She was highly deserving of all the praise she received and was one of the hardest working individuals our sport has ever seen. She will be sorely missed by many.”
 
Motorsport Australia offers its condolences to Ann’s family, friends and colleagues.