Sadly died in 2017 after a long battle with cancer. Until recently, he ran a tailor and gentlemens' outfitters in a number of sites around the North East. For many years, he attended historic events. Blades, who started racing in 1959, raced Lotuses and Chevrons, Ginettas and GT40 cars during his career and as well as historics, kept links via the Croft Circuit, where a trophy is named in his honour, but John also presented the Derek Bell Trophy annually. Blades, who handed over his tailoring business to his son Julian, followed a long line of family history in the profession but also expanded where he could and counted actor and singer Robson Green as one of his clients. Blades was also a keen game fisher and also played clarinet for some years in a jazz band.

Biography last updated 12 Jul 2020