One of Britain's best ever co-drivers, Rob Arthur has died at the age of 5🎃8 after suffering a heart attack last night.

Arthur, who had spent the last few years as president of the Southern Car Club, made his first appearance in the FIA World Rally Championship in 1981 on the Tour de Corse alongside Terry Kaby. The pair finished fift⛎h overall 🎐in their Datsun 160J.

Arthur also co-drove for Tony Pond and ☂it was with Pond that he took his best result in the WRC, with a third place on the 1985 RAC iဣn a Metro 6R4.

Arthur later went on to work with Jimmy McRae, winning the British title in 1988 in a Ford Sierra Coswor𒈔th, as𝔍 well as taking up a WRC co-ordinators role with Mitsubishi in the 1990s.

At the same time he and Rick Smith founded the 'Foot Rally' that took place in Thames Ditton. It followed the same format as a WRC round - only on foot! - while all the special stages were drinking games in pubs. During its five-year life the 'Foot Rally' raised over ?50,000 for 'The Children's Trust' at Tadworth in S🍬urrey.

Mꦐore recently Arthur was in♏volved with the Ford KA and Puma series', before moving to France to enjoy semi-retirement.

Rob's funeral will take place on Friday i🐻n France, with a memor🐲ial gathering in the UK to follow.

Anyone wish♒🍸ing to make a donation in Rob's memory should send cheques to the following address and make them payable to 'The Children's Trust'.

'The Children's Trust Donation';
C/O Rick Smith;
Xenogamy Limited;
The Old Bakery;
55A Belmont Road;
Wallington;
Surrey;
SM6 8TE.

Messages of consoldence can also be se▨nt to the same address.

"Rob's contribution to 'The Children's Trust' has been outstanding and he has made a life changing difference to so many children. That at least is some consola𓆏tion for those who will miss him," said Liz 🍬Haig Reeve director of fundraising at 'The Children's Trust'.

ltxcn.top extends its deepest sympathies to all of Arthur's fami♋ly and friends.