Buddy Fuller - known as Mr Speedway, Mr Hot Rod, Mr Oval or just plain Buddy - died at the Wits old age home in Parktown on Sunday. He was 89.
Fuller was known by many names but answered to only a single passion, motorsport. He introduced dirt-track oval racing to South Africa in 1928 and it was thanks to him that it succeeded.
Back in the 1960s hotrod racing at the Wembley oval stadium in Johannesburg attracted crowds of nearly 20 000.
Buddy, after an involvement lasting almost 70 years, is recognised not only as one of South Africa's most successful speedway riders but also as the doyen of oval-track racing promoters.
He was born in Johannesburg on January 13, 1916. Arthur John "Buddy" Fuller made his acquaintance with oval-track racing with the introduction of dirt-track speedway racing to South Africa in October 1928.
He won several SA dirt track and Speedway championships from the 1930s to 1950s and represented SA overseas in Speedway 23 times, 13 as captain. He was awarded Springbok colours in 1948.
Buddy introduced stock-car racing to South Africa in 1955 and drove regularly. In 1956-57 he launched his Cavalcade of Speed that included speedway, stock-car racing and stunts at venues countrywide. The stunts led to the formation of the Hell Driver's stunt troupe and stock-car racing evolved through jalopy racing to hot rod racing in 1962.
Buddy became founder chairman of the South African Hot Rodders' Club and Imported and American V8 sprint car in 1966.
In 1960 he and Boet Ferreira co-drove a standard Borgward Isabella TS to break the four-cylinder road record from Johannesburg to Cape Town and back in 23 hours 53 minutes.
Buddy introduced Modified saloon oval-track racing and Australian sidecar speedway to South Africa with test matches against British teams and held the first Supercross race in the country, at New Kingsmead, Durban, in 1986.
Fuller remained involved through the 1990's, first running the Brakpan oval and then becoming involved in the Wembley oval revival. The hotrod oval at the new WesBank Raceway is named after him.
He leaves a son Bob and daughter Dorothy, and seven grandchildren. His memorial service will be on Wednesday, May 11 at Doves in Braamfontein, Johannesburg. - Star Motoring