Starting off as navigator in his own Nissan Skyline with Fred Potgieter as driver, he had a number of chauffeurs test his nerves and actually retired from the REACT Touwsrivier Rally with motion sickness. His enthusiasm for the sport saw Showerlux sponsor a critical event when the regional numbers almost saw the Championship fail.
Having navigated for Serge Damseaux to his tenth Western Province (WP) Drivers Championship in 1990, Neil would add another four consecutive WP Navigators titles before retiring from the sport. He returned in 1996 to win a sixth WP Navigators title whilst Serge Damseaux extended his total to sixteen as driver.
Neil then retired to concentrate on his business and never rallied again. It is believed he succumbed to a heart attack on Saturday 21 May 2011. His funeral, The Christ Church of England Somerset West, is scheduled for Friday 27 May 2011 at 14h00. The family requests that email messages be sent as the telephones are ringing off the hook. E-Mail to restruct@mweb.co.za.
