Stock car driver Ray Channing farewelled

There was plenty of laughter amid the tears as Rotorua stock car driver Raymond Channing was farewelled yesterday.

The life of the popular driver, who died in a crash last Saturday night while competing at the Huntly Speedway track at the Waikato Stockcar Championship King of the Dirt event, was celebrated by a huge number of friends and family at the Rotorua Energy Events Centre.

Six stock cars followed a make-shift hearse - a Ford Falcon GT (grand touring) ute - to the Paradise Valley Raceway yesterday where about 250 people broke the silence with applause and cheers as Mr Channing, 52, was taken around the track.

His family and Rotorua's close stock car community then escorted him to the Energy Events Centre for his funeral, attended by about 500 people.

Family friend Jon Olphert led the ceremony, taking the audience through a fast track of Mr Channing's life as a musician, local businessman and motor head.

He said Mr Channing was "a big frog in a small pond" in Rotorua and had done a lot in his life.

His sister told of her brother as a child when he would playfully tease her but always be willing to show generosity. She said whenever family life got tough, he was a source of strength.

Musicians Mr Channing had toured with in the past led the music during yesterday's funeral and were at times overwhelmed by memories of their talented companion. One fellow musician said Mr Channing had an amazing ear for music and was able to play songs after simply listening to them.

Numerous speakers from the Rotorua Stock Car Club talked of Mr Channing's wit, personality and friendship.

The club announced it would retire his stock car number, 89, in memory of his services to the club.

Mr Channing leaves behind a partner, two stepchildren and several grandchildren.