John Kilroy - "one of the good guys"

Chris Aylett, MIA CEO:

It was with great sadness that we learnt recently that we have lost our good friend John Kilroy, whom most would remember from the PRI Show in the USA and more recently EPARTRADE. 

John has been a good friend of the MIA since I first met him, personally, in 1999 at a PRI West Show in Sacramento, California. He was with Steve Lewis, the founder of PRI, and we immediately enjoyed great rapport on which we built a long-lasting friendship. 

Our common aim was to attract more visitors and exhibitors to PRI from the UK and Europe, a plan which, over many years, has given many MIA members access to this valuable market.

Together, we never lost sight of that ambition. Many of you know just how the eventual international reach of PRI became whilst John, Francisque, Steve and all their excellent team, worked together in Indianapolis

John was always a gentleman; enthusiastic; willing to help and full of energy, but at the same time, in full control.  I would often reflect on the unenviable breadth of his responsibility across the superb PRI magazine and the fast-growing PRI Show. He clearly attracted the very best people, as did Steve Lewis alongside him; it was this that made their work so impressive.

I chose the words in the title of this piece with care. I know those fully engaged in the business of motorsport will understand just how powerful and hard-earned are these words when describing a motorsport leader as being “one of the good guys”. John certainly was in this elite group and will be long remembered by all within the MIA community and across the world of motorsport.

Our thoughts and sincere condolences are with John’s family and close friends. Rest in peace my friend.