All at Short Circuit magazine are very sad to hear the news that Pete “Pop” Christie passed away on Friday 7th November, after an illness. ‘Pop’ was well known for, amongst other things, the kind, expert technical help he gave to many drivers and teams via our technical forum via the link on this site. If he didn’t have an answer to hand he would soon look it up from somewhere and nearly always came up with a solution. He did this voluntarily as like us, wanted to see as many racers having fun racing and not beaten by technical problems that could and did side-line many racers without technical prowess.
He always bought a sensible approach to any discussion and in his own words “I’m a firm believer in helping anybody out. Long complicated answers are alright if you can understand them, but our sport is full of great people who can drive but don’t know why their cars won’t go round like the rest. If I can help anybody with my thoughts in an understandable way, I’ll try my hardest.”
‘Pop’ started racing in 1964 in Spedeworth Formula 2 stock cars at New Cross stadium, progressed from them into the Superstox, then into Hot Rods, a change of Promotions then and into PRI Mini-Rods. From there into Dirt racing at Braintree, and most recently working as an official at the Rolling Thunder Show.
He will be sadly missed by a huge number of racing folk, not only for the information he gave past and present racers but to those who have yet to start racing and won’t have the access to his knowledge in the future when they use our technical forum.
If you would like to leave any condolence messages please do so on our technical forum which ‘pop’ ran as his own. Our thoughts go out to all the Christie family and friends at this very sad time.
‘Pop C’ Obituary
November 9, 2008 by: adminComments
24 Responses to “‘Pop C’ Obituary”Leave a Reply
I had the pleasure of knowing Pop for a number of years, and his friendly, witty nature always brought a smile to people’s faces. He was always on hand to offer advice and help you out if you had a problem. On more than one occasion he picked me up from home and took me to a race meeting, when I was not well enough to drive. That was the measure of the man always helpful, sadly I can no longer return the favour.
On Saturday I was driving to a Rolling Thunder Event when the news came through on my mobile that he had passed away. I was shocked and for once speechless for a few seconds. Pete had been unwell for a few months and now he’s gone he will be missed at the RTS even more. I offer my condolences to his family at this sad time.
Smiffyman
its a very sad day to here this news. he will be sadly missed
all my throughts go to the family
jv racing
RIP Pop’c what can i say because when you were with us i told you how much you were appreciated when you are gone i now tell you how you are missed.
my thoughts are with pop’s family
great bloke always helpfull will be missed. highly respected. great loss to the sport.regards to the cristies
A real gentleman and all round nice fellow.
He will be greatly missed,but always in our thoughts.
Regards to the Christie family.
when i first started racing again i always turned to pop c for answers and he always came up trumps. mind of tech info and a very nice bloke. always willing to help .condolences go to the christie family.you will be sadly missed off the oval circuits pop c.rip
I only heard this evening that Pete had passed away and quite frankly was shocked as I was due to take my car into the place Pete worked tomorrow and was going to take time out for a chat. I’ve known the Christie’s for more years than I care to remember but can probably date it back to at least ’72 when I started racing Hot Rods and Pete was in his Anglia. That Pete will be sorely missed is an understatement, as he was so integral to the sport and knew so much about the racing and cars in general. My thoughts are with Mo and the boys and indeed all the Christie family. Though I would have attended the funeral on 21st the loss of my own dear wife only a few months ago would make attendance far too traumatic for me but I will be there in spirit. Alan Humphrey
dad we all miss you so much and will never forget althoughs great times on and of the ovals .you always set our cars up for winning ways and me and gary will carry the christie racing name on .we will meet again . we would like to thank every one for there kind words and surport daren gary and mum (mo) christie
I remember Pete from his hot rodding days and a nicer bloke you couldn’t wish to meet. Many years ago – I hate to think how many – Pete rang me out of the blue. Among other things, he wanted to chat about the possibilities of bringing racing back to Woolwich Stadium. Although it never came to anything, I do know he was only trying to do it to get the racers somewhere else to race, which would have been typical of the man.
RIP Pete, one of the good guys.
To all the Christie Family and Friends may i say that Pop was a true Gentleman.He was always helpful and honest.I was shocked to read this today.All our thoughts and wishes are with the Family today.Mark and Amanda Hollis.
In the world of Oval racing rarely can you find someone so willing and honest like this man was – so helpful where other competitors fathers just ignore you or send you the wrong way(tech info etc..)Thankyou Pop C for all the advice/research/time and effort that you gave myself in your forum.Your honest advice certainly improved my car.Kindest Regards to the Christie family- REST IN PEACE POP C.
A gentleman will be missed by many oval racers thoughts go out to the christie family
myself & im sure many others are shocked to hear this sad news, a true gent who loved the sport & more importantly loved to help anyone he could, you will be sadly missed, regards to the family
Terrible news, my thoughts are with the Christie family at this time.
RIP Pop.
Just heard this sad news, Pop RIP
I knew Pete only through e-mails and only in the last few years. Like so many of the racing folks who’ve helped with my website, Pete exemplified that wonderful “something” about our sport that is hard to find anywhere else. Humour, helpfulness, not afraid to get his hands dirty, not a snob, put in all the hours and the effort for the sheer love of it. I have been at every motor sport you can name, but none of them can touch British oval racing when it comes to the “good blokes” it has attracted over the last 50+ years. Good old Pete.
It was 1975 that I first came across Pete he was racing a mini rod, Peter was part of team falcon along with Alan & David Humphrey and Pete Horn the team was set up to take on a team from Dover though I am not sure if the race ever went ahead. I next bumped into Pete in 1985/86 and along with Alan Humphrey the three of us from kent went racing up at Braintree Auto Club. Then fast forward to 1995 and I was racing at Arena Essex and this Pink stretched Fiat limo with car 84 on a trailer behind pulled into the pit area and it was Peter he had gone from racer to mechanic for his son Darren, then his other son Gary joined soon afterwards. Well Peter had his hands full running a team of two cars but as has been said before he always had time for others and I can well remember our chats in the pits awaiting the next race for our formula. I hadnt seen Peter for many years but noticed this man POP ‘C’ on the RTS forum and relised it was Peter and had promised myself to get in touch, but it was never to be. My condolences to darren, Gary and family on their sad loss. Paul King ex Group A Mini 27
I had much friendly advice from Pop whilst looking at getting back into racing. My thanks go to Pop, my thoughts go to his family at this sad time.
Mike
PETE WAS A PLEASURE TO KNOW AND WORK WITH, A GENUINE, KIND AND THOUGHTFULL MAN.MY CONDOLENCES TO MO, GARY, DARREN AND FAMILY.GOD BLESS.
So very sorry to hear this news – a really great guy we had the pleasure of knowing (and working with) at RTS – a really genuinely nice man – he will be sadly missed. Our condolences to his family and friends.
I remember Pop from growing up in the arena pits when darren and gary were in there group a’s
he is the reason i got back into stock rods this season when i was unsure on wther to bother
he will be greatly missed by the whole sport
RIP
Still doesn’t seem real that your not here.
Will miss you and your jokes.
Love you
Jamie xxx
only just heard the news.never had the pleasure of meeting the man but was a regular on the forum.he will be sadly missed by all racers.
my thoughts+prayers are with your family pop c.
sadly missed-RIP
I am very behind here, only found out today [27th Nov] that PopC passed away.
Would like to say that Pop offered first class info on all matters, helped me a lot over the last few years diagnosing problems and offerign advice, what a great bloke and will be sadly missed.
Condolences to the remaining Christie family
“Race in peace Pop!”