Former FIA vice president and WRC boss Morrie Chandler dies at 85
Morrie Chandler, former FIA vice-president of sport and chairman of the World Rally Championship commission, has died aged 85.
Chandler will be remembered as a towering figure whose influence on motorsport extended far beyond his native New Zealand during a career spanning more than five decades.
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Before moving into senior administrative positions at MotorSport New Zealand and later within the WRC and FIA, Chandler began his career in hillclimb racing with the Northern Sports Car Club.
Chandler quickly became club president before making his mark nationally as a board member of Motorsport New Zealand.
In this role, Chandler was instrumental in maintaining New Zealand’s place on the WRC calendar throughout the 1970s and 1980s. During this period he was also a regular competitor.
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Chandler’s affiliation with the WRC grew, becoming a member of the FIA WRC Commission in 1983. His roles within the FIA continued over the following decades, culminating in the positions of WRC Commission President and FIA Vice President for Sport.
As FIA Vice President of Sport, he helped shape the direction of global motorsport, while initiatives such as the Pirelli Star Driver program supported the development of future talent.
Chandler’s passion for rallying also extended beyond New Zealand, serving as a driving force in the development of the FIA Asia-Pacific Rally Championship.
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“Morrie was a titan. Not just of rallying, but of motorsport in general,” said WRC Promoter Senior Events Director Simon Larkin.
“He has led with strength and passion, and it has been a pleasure to work alongside and in partnership with him for the growth and development of the WRC.
“This is a loss for us all, but his family and friends can take comfort in knowing his immense contribution.”
MotorSport New Zealand president Deborah Day also paid tribute to Chandler’s legacy.
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“Morrie Chandler was one of the most influential people our sport has ever known,” Day said.
“His leadership, vision and tireless commitment helped shape motorsport not only in New Zealand, but around the world. He gave so much to the sport he loved and his legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.”
In 1997, Chandler was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in recognition of his services to New Zealand and world motorsport.
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