Tim Pemberton, one of the great characters of Australian touring car racing and the Supercars paddock, died over the weekend. Universally known as ‘Plastic’, he was Peter Brock’s long-time publicist in his heyday and later performed a similar role for Holden Motorsport.
Pemberton was renowned for his brilliant and creative publicity stunts and his unique turn of phrase, which came to be known as Plasticisms. He had been in poor health for several years, primarily from diabetes, and spent the past couple of years in care facilities. He died early on Sunday in a Melbourne nursing home.
John Crennan, who worked with Plastic during his time at Holden and then the Holden Racing Team and Holden Special Vehicles for many years, was quick to honour his mate.
“Plastic’s death triggered memories of the quartet that was the DNA of HDT and the sadness around how the last legend has now gone, joining his fellow rascals and giants of HDTs success – Peter Brock, Slug (John Harvey) and Spear (Grant Speers),” he said.
“What a PR talent; he was able to handle two vastly different clients. On one the hand it was Brock, HDT and touring cars where political incorrectness and the after-race parties he organised for sponsors, team members, Holden staff and dealers which would often take on greater significance than the Sunday race. Then he would turn his talents to working and complying with GMH and its ultra-conservative and highly disciplined ways.”
Chris Payne, long-time Holden and HSV man and now General Manager Chevrolet Motorsport, said: “Plastic will be fondly remembered by the Holden Motorsport fans, dealers and staff as a major contributor to the Holden brand. So many of the great and memorable moments of Holden Motorsport will remain his hallmark. Thank you, Plastic, on behalf of all the Holden fans!”
The GMANZ team are thinking of Tim at this time and we offer our condolences to to his friends and family.” Payne told AUTO ACTION.
“From a personal point of view, AUTO ACTION lost a mate, Plastic was an important motorsport person over the years. He was great to have a beer with; a great raconteur and storyteller,” Williams said. “In recent years, I would often get a call from Plastic to let me know that he had approved of how things were going with AA which meant the world to me.
“He wasn’t always generous with his ‘accolades’, so it meant something when he did pat you on the back. We spoke recently, and he was still keen to know what was going on in the sport, and he always had an opinion; he was a big part of developing the sport.”
Pemberton is survived by his long-time partner, Jennifer, and son, Fraser.
On behalf of the many people that knew ‘Plastic’, his family and friends, AUTO ACTION passes on our best wishes and thoughts.
