Online Reporter
Collin Matiza
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE local motor racing community has paid tribute to veteran driver Ian Howden who died in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Tuesday morning
Motor racing icon Howden succumbed to cancer at a Johannesburg clinic. He was 66.
Howden is survived by his wife, Heather, and two children, Connor and Jessica.
The former Managing Director of Toyota Zimbabwe was a popular figure in the local motorsport world in which he raced in karting, motor rally and main circuit racing for more than three decades.
Howden was more than a motor racing driver, he was the heartbeat of local motorsport.
The local motor racing community spoke of “immense and indescribable” pain following the untimely death of Howden.
One of the country’s top drivers, Adrian Watt, led many tributes to Howden, describing him as a motor racing enthusiast who did so much for motorsport in Zimbabwe.
“It was due to him (Howden) that Toyota Zimbabwe poured so much into motor racing in Zimbabwe.
“Condolences go out to his family and friends. He was really a great guy who will be sorely missed by many,” Watt said.
Two-time African motor rally champion, Jamie Whyte, said, “We’ve lost a truly great guy and a real fighter.
“Words cannot describe the enormous sadness within the local motor racing family, as we come to terms with losing Ian. He has left an indelible mark on all our lives, and will be part of everything we have achieved, and everything we will strive for.”
Another local motor racing driver, Warren Thorne, added: “. . . He was a great guy who did a lot for the sport in Zimbabwe. He will be missed.”
Howden was bitten by the motor racing bug while growing up in Harare, but it was only after serving his apprenticeship with Toyota South Africa that he was able to pursue his passion.
Sporadic outings in a Cortina were followed by a Toyota Conquest, but it was at the wheel of a BMW 325iS that Howden really made his mark, memorably pulling off an audacious passing maneuver on Gary Kirk as the latter cruised to what he thought was an easy victory.
Howden’s promotion to Managing Director at Toyota Zimbabwe allowed the family to return to Harare, Ian bringing with him a Subaru WRX STi which he used to great effect, winning the Zimbabwe National Saloon Car Championship.
After trying his hand at karting, Howden found himself at the wheel of a Mitsubishi Evo for several attempts at the once popular Zimbabwe Challenge Rally, which, with help from Howden and his team at Toyota Zimbabwe, was awarded the trophy for best organised rally on the Africa Rally Championship calendar.
In addition to his performances on the race tracks and rally stages, Howden served as a member of the Sables Motor Club committee and helped to not only organise race meetings, but to improve the facilities at both Zimbabwean race circuits, as well as promoting safe driving through the local high schools.
But it was in the Zimbabwe Challenge Rally where Howden left an indelible mark.
Racing with the likes of former African motor rally champion Billy Rautenbach and his son Conrad, two-time African champion Jamie Whyte, Jess Watson, Big “Bigs” Chitima, Colin Schreiber, Richard “Mahobho” Robinson, Craig Green and Stuart Haddon, Howden made the Zimbabwe Challenge Rally one of the most exciting motorsport events, not only in this country, but on the continent.
The Zimbabwe Challenge Rally was a significant African motorsport event, part of the African Rally Championship (ARC), featuring tough off-road racing with cars like Mitsubishi Lancer Evos and Subarus.
The event showcased international and local drivers tackling challenging Zimbabwean terrains in high-performance rally machines.
Howden was a huge part of motorsport in Zimbabwe. He will be sorely missed.
