The Asset Alliance Group Scottish Rally Championship and wider rally community is devastated to learn of the passing of John Wink, aged just 44. John redefined what was possible from human life. Diagnosed with cystic fibrosis when he was just one year old, John’s life was far more difficult than he’d ever let on, but he refused to let CF define him.
Starting his rallying career in 2014 driving a Mitsubishi Evo, the Scottish rallying community quickly fell in love with John – a caring soul with a devastating turn of speed, proved by his Challengers title in 2018 (and trio of 3rd O/A championship finishes in 2018, 2023 and 2024).
Becoming the first ever driver to privately own a Hyundai i20 R5 in 2017, John proved himself across the UK – winning the final ever Wales Rally GB National in 2019.
However, his proudest achievement was taking a long-awaited SRC victory at the Snowman Rally in 2024; an immensely popular result across the entire service park. That achievement helped him receive the SRC’s People’s Champion Award later that same year.
John’s determination wasn’t exclusive to rallying, as despite the challenges life threw at him, he established an ultra-successful architectural design company. But his biggest success came in his personal life as a devoted husband to his wife Joanne, and proud father to his two beautiful daughters Abbie and Darcie.
John was one of life’s good guys: a fighter, an inspiration and an example to never give up despite the challenge.
“Not everybody has been dealt with a nice hand of cards, but what you need to do is pick out the positives, build on them and do the best you can,” he told DirtFish last year. “But remember to have fun whilst you’re doing it, because life is too short.”