Derek Whittle.

[John B]

I have just read a post on the old forum from 2017 about meeting Derek Whittle on the Isle of Man where he retired. I lost touch with Derek some years ago and wondered if anyone on here is still in touch with him.

[Steve Jones]

That old post was, probably, mine, John. We visit the IoM every year at the end of April to take part in the three closed road hillclimbs that make up the Manx Classic event. We stay at the Peel Caravan site and pass Derek's house outside Peel on a regular basis each year. We often used to see him as we went past and he would come down to see us in Peel as well as calling in to view scrutineering in Douglas on the Wednesday before the events. The last time I saw him was in, I think, 2019. The event wasn't held in 2020 and 2021 because of Covid and when we went back in 2022 there was no sign of Derek and his Berlingo was no longer parked in the lay by opposite the small hamlet of houses where he lived. That's been the case in 2023 and 2024 and I fear it may well be that he's no longer with us. I hope I'm wrong as he was such an interesting man to talk to as well as being an all round good bloke.

Steve

[John B]

I feared that might be the case. Must be ten years or more since I last saw him. He was up at Honester spectating when I ran into him. First time off the island in ten years. I used to hang around his garage when I was about 15/16 years old.Round where I lived was a hotbed of enthusiasts so I grew up with people who owned various vintage cars.Pretty sure that the car in the photo is the same one that I remember. During the rebuild it acquired twin remote float Amals andthe rear suspension sported shakles to drop the chassis with radius arms above the chassis back to the original spring pin. Often wondered what happened to it as I lost track when I went off to uni. If you do happen to see him again remember me to him and tell him I'd love to hear from him. Regards John Blincoe.

[Jeff Taylor]

192 (dot) com show a Derrick Whittle (note spelling) on the Electoral Register in Peel, I.O.M IM5 from 2003 until 2017 - 2020. I'm not a 192 member so can't view the record for further information.