Rip Dez Chand

[Mark Christopher]

JUST READ THIS ON FACEBOOK POSTED BY ARDENT RACEWAY

For those that don't yet know sadly Dez Chand was involved in an accident this morning and was sadly taken from us. He was an inspiration for RC Racing, for myself personally and for what we created at Ardent. He will be sadly missed, we are pleased that we enjoyed some great times with him and for the short time we have on this planet that our paths crossed. Chand a cola will live on forever in our hearts and I'm sure on the track, thoughts are with his wife, Alex and Callum.

RIP dez you were an inspiration to me .

[Andy Oldman]

A sad sad day
my condolences to his family and friends

RIP Dez

[008-Racer]

Such sad news, Thoughts to all his family and friends.

[Glenn Atterton]

JUST READ THIS ON FACEBOOK POSTED BY ARDENT RACEWAY
.

That's how I found out also minutes ago

Feel priviled to have met, chatted and raced with him once at a Tamworth indoor meeting a couple of years back.

Our thoughts are riding with Dez and his close family.

[RayS]

Sad Sad news,
Dez was one of our sports largest characters and will be sadly missed.

RIP Dez

[Rob Fitzgerald]

News like this is never easy to deal with.

I first come across Dez about 25 years ago in a motorcycle magazine when he won a competition to win a bike after designing a paint job for it. It won't surprise you to know it was in Red and White Coke colours.

I have worked and raced with Dez and he was as nice a bloke to work with as he was hard to beat on the track.

I don't think I will be alone in my opinion that Dez was the best Editor that Radio Race Car magazine ever had.

You will be missed Dez

[MR GMCC]

I raced many years ago with Dez he was a very good driver, I never really spoke to him but from what I saw hes was a very nice and friendly bloke.
I have to agree with all of the above comments. It is a very sad loss to the R/C world and his family.

Our thoughts are with his family and friends.

Mark Young.

[MarkB]

First and foremost my thoughts are with Dez's family at this difficult time...

To be honest reading this sad news knocked me sideways earlier, as I'm sure it will for all in the r/c racing community who knew Dez.

My memories of Dez are of mad and happy times:
- Planning to race the 12th Worlds in Florida, after I'd only raced 12th twice before (and the ever present Hawaiian shirt!)
- Persuading me to race at the first two Micro GPs @ Tamworth as part of team RRCi...we had a ball
- Persuading me to write three kit reviews for RRCi, all of which made the front cover
- A damp Winter day running the Schumacher GTRe review car around Bedworth for photos. We got the cover shot just as the light went. Dez sent me a print of that action shot, and it still hangs with pride on my study wall
- Asking Dez at the Autosports Show who was commenting on his Bike section..."you" was his answer. Two days later I'd covered my entire bike racing knowledge as I talked to the crowd
- Knowing Dez would be "tired and emotional" at any BRCA AGM after the night before
- His passion for the F1 class, and of course red and white paint schemes

I've just drained a cold one (Coca-cola of course)...Dez, thanks for the memories mate

[PDW]

I just cannot believe this news, and so want this to be a case of mistaken identity. I knew Dez for many years, and can still see in my mind that cheeky-chappy face, the permanent smile, and the slightly sideways look that announced that Dez was in the building. Sometimes I thought that his face was a black camera body, so frequently was he rushing around getting those shots he was renowned for.

We last locked horns at the Ardent Le Mans race in June. Dez's team was in Dez's image - the Shand-a-Cola car, the irrepressible smiling, and the desire to take part. He just did it all in a whirl! What a competitor, what a great guy. I cherish the photo Dez took of our team, and will now print and frame it.

To his family and close friends, my deepest condolences. We have lost an RC ambassador, a character and a friend, but you have lost much more. Like MarkB says, thanks for the memories Dez.

[Mark Christopher]

Dez's daughter Alex has very bravely been on Facebook thanking everyone for their kind words.I'm sure if she knew of this forum she would do the same here.

[Mark Stiles]

I was shocked and saddened to have read this bad news last night. Dez was truly one of the good guys who in my opinion put far more into the RC world than perhaps he ever got out of it. A genuine and true ambassador, the like of whom we rarely see.

I will always remember him jumping a monster truck over some lycra clad girls at the Autosports show - whilst lying next to them himself as the last body in the line, transmitter in hand! :D

I'm not a coke drinker, but his love of it more than made up for that - I drank a bottle in his memory at lunchtime today. See you in a better place dude!

[bbkRob]

When I read this on Facebook yesterday morning I was numb. Of the many memories I have of Dez, one seems particularly appropriate. He would often sign his emails with the following short poem.

My candle burns at both ends;
It will not last the night;
But, ah, my foes, and, oh, my friends —
It gives a lovely light.

That was Dez #82.

[savagemachine]

Dez you were my golden sunshine always smiling and always there when we all needed you as you use to cheer us all up ;

My deepest thought go out to your family at this very sad time and Joy if you need anything at all you have all the rc community to help you and be there for you;

Dez you were a legend to the rc community


Mark from TKR and Dave from GB model sports have teamed up to donate free of charge decal sheets in remembrance of Dez Chand.

These are free for anyone to have and if you would like to make a donation to Dez's family when booking in, that will be most appreciated.


Savagemachine

[Russ]

Hello All

Dez's funeral will be held on Monday 12th December at 11.15am
It will be at the Oakley Wood Crematorium, Bishops Tachbrook, Leamington Spa. CV33 9QP
All are welcome, but attendees MUST wear a Hawaiian shirt or be in Coke colours!

[bbkRob]

Shorts and sandals will be a bit chilly but it has to be done.