Ian Alexander Beningfield, 30th March 1979 – 11th May 2026
The South West Centre has lost another stalwart. Ian Beningfield, a past Chairman and very active committee member sadly passed away in early May.
Ian was well known in the MG community and beyond as a competitor, organiser and administrator. Alongside his MGCC roles, he was also the Treasurer for the Classic Marques Sports Car and an inaugural member of The National Historic Speed Club where he also held the role of Treasurer from its formation.
Following in the footsteps of his father Keith, Ian made his motorsport debut in 2010, campaigning his trusty Midget 1500 in both the MG Car Club Speed Championship and the Classic Marques Speed Championship. Although he seemed to spend more time under it than in it, Ian was a constant at speed events and always acquitted himself well – making many friends in the process. He had recently purchased another MG TF as a daily driver when the previous one, which he had used in SW Centre grassroots events, failed its MOT.
When another stalwart of the SW Centre, Bruce Weston, died in 2025, Ian inherited the role of Clerk of the Course for our annual Wiscombe Park Hillclimb. And as Bruce before him, Ian became a one-man organising committee covering everything from secretariat to finances! It is a mark of the high regard in which Ian was held that the SW Centre has received numerous offers of help such that this year’s event can proceed in his honour.
Ian’s day-job was Head of Partnerships and Funding at the Meningitis Research Foundation – where he was affectionately known as ‘Benny’. During his 21 years with the charity, Ian played a vital role in helping to raise over £40 million supporting countless volunteers through life-enhancing challenges from climbing Mount Kilimanjaro to running the London Marathon. Ian’s dedication to the charity was evident to all, he was often unable to join the start of SW committee meetings due to being on transatlantic video calls.
Ian will be missed by his family, friends, fellow competitors and motorsport in general. The SW Centre sends its condolences to everyone that knew him.
[With thanks to the various authors from whom text has been borrowed.]
Editor, Neil Lock