John Wink Obituary Huntly, Scotland Death – Community Mourns Beloved Rally Driver

The Huntly community in Aberdeenshire is mourning the death of John Wink, a respected businessman, father and Scottish rally driver who died on Friday, August 21, 2026, at the age of 44.

John was the founder of John Wink Design, an architectural design business he established 16 years ago. Colleagues described him as dedicated, determined and always willing to help, with no problem considered too large or too small.

His death has also prompted tributes across the Scottish motorsport community, where John was widely respected both as a competitor and as a person.

John began rallying in 2014 in a Mitsubishi Evo and quickly became a familiar figure in Scottish motorsport. He won the Scottish Rally Championship Challengers title in 2018 and recorded three third-place overall championship finishes.

He later became the first private owner of a Hyundai i20 R5 and achieved success beyond Scotland, including winning the final Wales Rally GB National in 2019.

One of his most celebrated achievements came at the 2024 Snowman Rally, where he secured a long-awaited Scottish Rally Championship victory. The popular result was followed by his receiving the championship’s People’s Champion Award later that year.

Yet those who knew John emphasized that his greatest achievements were away from the rally stages.

Diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at just one year old, John faced significant health challenges throughout his life but refused to allow the condition to define him. He later underwent a double lung transplant and became an advocate for organ donation, sharing his experience to raise awareness.

John was also a devoted husband to Joanne and proud father to daughters Abbie and Darcie.

Tributes from his business colleagues, rally teams, Huntly Football Club, NHS Grampian and fellow competitors described him as an inspiration, gentleman and determined fighter.

His cause of death has not been publicly disclosed.

As Huntly and the wider Scottish motorsport community mourn, John’s legacy lives on through his family, his business, his achievements in rallying and the many people he inspired to overcome adversity.

John Wink will be deeply missed by his family, friends, colleagues and the motorsport community he loved.