Charlie Moody

 

The Charlie Moody Foundation has been set-up in memory of a much loved member of the F1 and MotoGP paddocks, with the aim of raising badly needed funds for the Oxford Motor Neuron Disease Care and Research Centre - where Charlie was treated - via the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

Charlie succumbed to Motor Neurone Disease in November 2011, following a short spell in hospital after contracting pneumonia. He was 55 years old and leaves a wife, Arlene, plus sons Wil and Nic.

 

Charlie’s long career in motorsport began as an F1 mechanic for Walter Wolf Racing in 1977. He went on to work for Fittipaldi, Williams, Benetton, Leyton House and Simtek – reaching the level of team manager - and worked with such legendary drivers as Jody Scheckter, James Hunt, Keke Rosberg and Ayrton Senna. Indeed, Charlie was the very first person to strap Senna into a Formula One car, during the Brazilian’s inaugural test at Donington Park in 1983.

 

A new chapter in Charlie’s career began when he joined ‘King’ Kenny Roberts’ MotoGP team in 2001 as operations manager. A role he continued at the Rizla Suzuki team from 2009.

 

Hundreds - including many of Charlie’s F1 and MotoGP colleagues - attended his memorial service, where Charlie’s warm, fun-loving and determined character was celebrated.

 

Part of Charlie’s eulogy was as follows: “Charlie had an amazing life even though it was so cruelly cut short. He was a great friend and the kind of friend that stands by you when you need somebody to be there. This is quite possibly why he was simply the very best at what he did in the various paddocks he worked in. He was there for his team and the people around him. I never once heard a bad word said about Charlie – it’s as simple as that. Let’s be honest, in the paddocks of motorsport, that is almost unique.”

 

Arlene has given her full backing to the Charlie Moody Foundation and, along with Wil and Nic, plans to present a cheque to the CEO of the Motor Neurone Disease Association during the 2012 Silverstone MotoGP round.

During the event, MotoGP star Ben Spies will present a signed race-day helmet worn during the 2011 season as a thank-you to the person that makes the most generous donation to Charlie’s Foundation. Spies will also provide two paddock passes for this highest donor to attend Silverstone, while all those that donate will be in with a chance of receiving a signed Ben Spies replica helmet.

 

For this reason, please leave your contact details when you donate.