Michael Cotton, one of the world’s most respected motorsports writers, and a familiar face in sportscar paddocks across the globe for 6 decades, has died at the age of 86. He started writing about endurance racing in 1967 when he was appointed editor of Motoring News and soon established himself as a world authority, writing comprehensively with knowledge and humour.

It was in 1994 that I first met Michael at the launch of ‘the return of the legend’, Gulf’s return to top line sports car racing after an absence of 19 years. At that time, I was an employee of Gulf Oil (Great Britain) Ltd and Michael was one of the UK’s leading motorsport journalists. The lovely man that Michael was, he gave me time despite my naivety, and helped to put into context the significance of Gulf at Le Mans. We forged a strong working relationship and friendship over many years and when I decided to commission a book about Gulf in Motorsport (Blue and Orange), I didn’t even think beyond Michael as the author.

That launch event at Ottakar’s Cheltenham (now Waterstones) with a replica GT40 and Porsche 917 in Gulf livery adorning the Promenade was a very special occasion for us both and our families. Months of hard work that resulted in an acclaimed book that sold out its first print run in a matter of weeks. Michael later came to me to discuss the creation of a second book, 24:16 the autobiography of Norbert Singer and it was an immediate yes.

The launch took place in the ACO building at Le Mans prior to the 24-hour race in 2006, a venue that only someone of Michaels standing and charisma, with the support of Norbert Singer, could conjure up. As we opened the doors it became a who’s who of endurance racing with drivers, former drivers, team managers, organisers and anyone else considered a doyen of the sport in attendance. Michael, of course, knew everyone and every car that they had raced, and it was probably on that incredibly special occasion that I fully realised the esteem in which he was held by his peers. We have lost a great man.

By Martin Allerton Polygon Marketing