19 May RIP TOM ARNOT
Some people impress by their leadership and force of character, others by just showing up, every time they’re needed, until you almost take them for granted.
One such was Tom Arnot, one of Killarney’s most dedicated marshals for almost four decades, who passed away on Sunday 17 May at the age of 74.
He was perhaps best known to the Killarney family as a pit marshal, a function he fulfilled for many years. Abrasive at times, he could sometimes lose his cool with persistent offenders but earned respect and recognition for his dedication to safety on pit lane.
During these years Tom received Honours Awards from both the Western Province Motor Club and the WPMC Marshals’ Association, and was awarded Western Province Administrative Colours for his services to motorsport.
He earned his living as a supplier of cleaning materials; it’s been said that he could sell ice to eskimos, which might surprise those who experienced the rougher side of his tongue on race days, where his main intention was not to be liked but to send everybody home safely at the end of the day.
Tom underwent hip replacement surgery in 2025 but, sadly, did not regain sufficient mobility to return to marshalling. Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time; for all his occasional grumpiness, he will be missed at Killarney.
