July 6, 2005

One of the most influential personalities in South African motorsport over the last 30 years has died in Johannesburg.

Arthur Abraham, 53, died on Monday after a short illness and a lifetime spent as entrepreneur, organiser, administrator and publicist pursuing his passion for motorsport.

He was a huge man in frame and energy who pioneered many concepts now taken for granted in South African motor racing.

Abraham's sphere of influence included circuit racing, rallying, motocross and speedway but his great love was off-road racing. Up to his death he was working on a project to bring a round of the FIA Cross-Country Rally championship to South Africa.

Abraham grew up in Brakpan and set out on a career in banking after leaving school but it was not long before his passion for motorsport led him to Castrol where he was appointed motorsport co-ordinator in the early 1970's.

Household names such as Paddy Driver and Eddie Keizan, along with humble club racers, all benefited from support from Castrol and Arthur.

His first major event was the Castrol British Airways Tour in 1976, a hugely successful international event that has never been repeated. It was soon after that that a clash of wills saw him and Castrol part company and he decided to turn his hand at public relations.

Arthur Abraham and Associates, with Tarlton International Raceway as its first client, soon revolutionised motorsport marketing and public relations.

He set a benchmark for marketing and publicising motorsport events that has never been matched.

Abraham was helped put together the hugely successful Kreepy Krauly Race and Rally Team that launched Sarel van der Merwe into international stardom. Van der Merwe, Graham Duxbury and Tony Martin won the Daytona 24 Hour race in 1974 and Supervan went on to carve out a niche in the Camel Imsa sports prototype series in the US and the World Sports Car championship.

Along with then Motorsport SA secretary Colin van Zyl and former MSA president Dave Clapham, he was instrumental in introducing Group N racing to South Africa.

In 1986 Abraham also formed Videosport, a company that pioneered TV coverage of local and international motor racing events – including the Le Mans 24 Hour race – in South Africa.

"Arthur was an innovator and had the energy, drive and vision to see his projects through," Sarel van der Merwe said. "As an innovator he often trod on tender motorsport toes but he leaves a legacy none of his detractors can match.

"I am devastated by his loss but the biggest loss is to South African motorsport because Arthur had so much more to offer."

Friend and multiple SA Off-Road champion Richard Schilling said: "Arthur was a big man with a big heart. He gave more to motorsport and his friends than could ever have been repaid."

Abraham leaves his former wife Pat, daughter Vanessa, son Scott and partner Charmaine Fortune who was his partner in both life and his many motorsport ventures.

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