A Howick businessman and motorsport exponent has died.
Clark Proctor, 62, from Cockle Bay, passed away on Friday June 26 at Middlemore Hospital, surrounded by family and close friends, according to a death notice in the media.
“Dearly loved husband of Jackie. Loved and cherished Dad of Georgia and Jack. Loved son of Wyn, and the late Bert, brother of Sue and Julie,” the notice said.
“Unexpectedly and taken too soon.”
Website talkmotorsport.co.nz paid tribute to Proctor. “Vale Clark Proctor. We mark the passing of a great motorsport competitor, Clark Proctor, who passed away on Friday. He is survived by his partner Jackie and their two children Georgia and Jack.”
Proctor’s business website says he has more than 45 years’ experience in the scrap/recycling trade. He established Metalman in 1997 and grew the business into a national chain over the next 18 years. He sold the company in August 2015 and established shipping container solutions company Logical Group as a new challenge.
“After 45 years of establishing and running the family-owned national recycling chain, Metalman, Jackie and I sold the company in 2015 to pursue a quieter life style,” he said on the website.
“During our journey we quickly understood the importance of customer service. Taking our past experiences, we have found ways to offer exceptional services in many other areas. Hence a multi-divisional group of companies was born, Logical Group.”
Motorsport Park Hampton Downs in north Waikato featured Proctor in a news feature on its website in 2016.
“Clark Proctor is living the dream,” the piece reads.
“The Howick entrepreneur sold his scrap metal business Metalman last year freeing up more time for his other passion, motorsport. Proctor has had a long career in stockcar racing, rallying and Formula 5000 but this month he’s making his debut in the Australian GT Championship at the Hampton Downs 101 from October 29-30.
“It’s the first major event at the new-look Hampton Downs after a $30m investment by new owner Tony Quinn and Proctor can’t wait to try out the 1.2km track extension.
“Hampton Downs has always been a really good race track but I reckon the extension will make it even better. It’s 4kms long now and there are plenty of passing opportunities so the racing will be fierce. It should also be a great place to watch racing because you can see pretty much the whole track wherever you are.”
Proctor was racing a Nissan GT-R Nismo GT3.
“We’re up against guys who’ve been racing GTs for many years so we’ll be absolutely stoked if we could get in the top 20,” says Proctor.
“Really we just want to finish without smashing the car up. We haven’t even driven the thing yet!”
The article says Proctor was bitten by the motorsport bug from an early age. “He was 12 or 13 when his father, who was also a scrap merchant, acquired the Miramar Gas Works in Wellington.,” the articles says.
Website Driver Database records Proctor’s racing career summary as having entered 178 races with eight wins and 43 podiums.
A service to celebrate Clark’s life will be held in The Pavilion, Hampton Downs Raceway, Hampton Downs Road, Hampton Downs on Wednesday July 1 at 2.30pm.
