With heavy heart I regret to inform the VW community the passing of Ben Durie......Ben was a dedicated and passionate veedub guy who is very well respected .A service for Ben will be held at Toronto Uniting Church most likely on tuesday at 3.30 pm ....will confirm. On behalf of all those who new him we wish his family our condolences....stephen muller
Craig Torrens6 times Australian, 7 times State Hillclimb Class Champion
I knew Ben well. I'm very sad to read of his passing. I have the greatest respect for Ben and admire his strength of character and honestly. He called a spade a spade and save me a lot of time and money with his honesty.
I feel for his family and will be at his service.
Rest in peace Ben. You will be sadly missed.
I have known Ben for nearly 20 years, mainly due to his involvement in the Hunter motorsport community. I got to know Ben better since I started racing a VW nearly 7 years ago.
Ben was a man who was very passionate about VW's and even more passionate about race cars. He loved them. He was a fierce competitor and was always willing to help or offer advice, assist me at the track and help out with my car, even though I was with 'another team'.
I got to know Ben a lot better whilst I was rebuildling my car. He recently offered to help me set up the EFI on my race car, and even though he was sick, he still wanted to and was determined to see the project through. Ben used that determination to try and live on and fight his illness but unfortunately that determination was not enough.
Today is a very sad day for the VW and motorsport community, but an even sadder day for his family. The one thing I admired most about Ben, was not the fact he was a wealth of knowledge or a fierce competitor, but the fact he was a dedicated family man. A devoted husband and father and a good friend. RIP Ben and may your legacy live on in your wife and two young children.
White Knuckle Racing Team [/i] "Drive it like dirt"
How old was he? This is very Sad, It was only a few weeks ago we lost Monty from the Mid North Coast vw community he was a original member of our club and it's sad to hear another VW Person gone.
His advice and friendship will be missed but his achievements with racing and engine building will continue inspire many of us.
My condolences to his wife and kids.
RIP Ben
yes i just heard....i spoke to ben a month ago, he sounded very cheerfull.....he was positive off goin on for alot longer...
It was a pleasure knowing Ben.....RIP mate
Sorry to hear this, I spoke to him a few months ago and he was still offering help and advice even though he was really sick, we have lost an innovator and a gentleman
Ben was a great bloke and it really saddens me to here that he has passed away always a guy who was more than happy to have a chat to and always willing to give you a hand ive know him for the last 10 years from when i started as a vw tech and there wasnt to many people like him out there R.I.P..
It was a lovely service. So many people. I guess around possibly 200 or so. It was wet and dreary but people still came. I enjoyed the slide show and stories told. His wife is an amazing woman. So strong. Gave the eulogy herself with a little support from others who wanted to add to his life story. What a sad day.
Rest in peace my friend. Have fun in that Dubbin workshop in the sky.
