In memory of Michael Cotton: 1938-2024
One of the world’s most respected motorsport writers, and a doyen of the sportscar paddocks across six decades, Michael Cotton, has died at the age of 86.
Cotton was a trained journalist, who followed his father in to the profession in the early 1960s. H held several editor roles, notably at Motorsport News and Motor Sport magazine, where he ran the weekly paper for several years from 1968.
Cotton became close to several legendary drivers, notably Perdo Rodriguez, Jo Siffert, Vic Elford and Brian Redman. He was respected enormously for his writing, covering the legendary years of Porsche v Ferrari in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
Cotton then became press manager of Porsche Cars GB in 1976, a role that Cotton loved as he had a close affinity and colossal respect for all things Porsche. He went on to write several books on the marque including the brilliant Porsche 917 book published by Kimberley.
At the advent of the Group C era in the early 1980s Cotton went back to his roots as an independent reporter where he contributed to countless publications, including Motor Sport again and Motorsport News.
He covered the golden years of Group C forensically and again published several books on one of sportscars greatest eras.
Mike went on covering the sport well in to his seventies and made sporadic appearances in press rooms until recently. His son, Andrew Cotton, continued the family vocation and has been the long-time editor of Racecar Engineering, and is also a highly respected writer within motorsport, particularly endurance racing.
The FIA WEC sends its condolences to the entire Cotton family and all of Mike’s many friends and former colleagues in the paddocks of the world.