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18 Jul 2020, 19:33 (Ref:3989285) | #1 | |
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Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 594
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Keith Ripp 1947-2020
Sad to hear that Mini sporting legend, Ripspeed Accessory brand creator and renowned Rallycross driver Keith Ripp has died at the age of 73.
"Having discovered the joy of driving Rallycross in a Mini, he realised there was a gap in the market to specialise in selling tuning parts and accessories to people preparing cars for the track and ‘boy racers’ alike. The first shop opened in Waltham Cross in the early 1970s. With money tight, Ripp couldn’t afford much stock, so tricks like filling displays with empty cartons and even removing parts from his own race car to make up the weekday window display were common. However, the business was a success and in a few years three branches orbiting London were opened, which were later consolidated into one purpose-built superstore in Edmonton. Ripp was one of the first accessory shop owners to see the potential of upgraded in-car audio, and sold imported amplifiers and subwoofer boxes alongside the ranges of engine tuning and dress-up kit. Stocks of Mini parts began to be wound down in the late 1980s (a decision Ripp said he later regretted as the Cooper was re-introduced a short time later) and the firm instead specialised in tuning parts for Mercedes. However, racing took a physical toll on Ripp. After crushing his spine in a bad crash at Brands Hatch, he decided to retire, describing himself in a later interview as a ‘walking wreck’. Further ailments connected to a heart condition, which eventually required a triple bypass, lead hime to sell the business in 1994 to Halfords, which still own and market the Ripspeed brand to this day." OBITUARY: KEITH RIPP 1947-2020:- http://www.catmag.co.uk/obituary-keith-ripp-1947-2020 |
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18 Jul 2020, 19:34 (Ref:3989286) | #2 | |
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Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 594
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Keith Ripp - British Rallycross - Lydden Hill Mini crash, Murray Walker commentating:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_3JH1wV38U Longer clip but poor quality from old VHS tape:- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gilxT4wEedM |
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19 Jul 2020, 09:21 (Ref:3989407) | #3 | |
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Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 18,735
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Yes I saw a few days ago that news on Facebook. He's probably best known for that clip above where he hit Mabbs bank. I first saw that on Murray's Motorsport Spectacular
Someone I know put in a comment section on FB how he met him once and found him to be a nice guy. He certainly will be missed. RIP to a great champion of Rallycross |
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He who dares wins! He who hesitates is lost! |
19 Jul 2020, 14:02 (Ref:3989507) | #4 | ||
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Join Date: May 2020
Posts: 11
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Sad news indeed. I'm aware that sometimes this tuning sector comes in for some ridicule, but behind the business was a true racer who deserved much respect! A name from the past that brings back memories.
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