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Vale Ed Mulligan – you will be missed

Ed Mulligan passed away

By Auto Action

Date posted: 15 April 2025

Crazy, unrepentant larrikin, hilariously funny raconteur, sometimes semi-professional curmudgeon and motorsport legend Ed Mulligan has gone rallying in the big beyond.

At 75, but still with the vibrancy and l’amour de la vie of a hormonal teenager Mulligan reportedly passed away in a road accident after suffering a medical episode over the weekend.

These were the opening words of a special obituary of rallying identity Mulligan from Wayne Webster.

Webster knows Mulligan well having not only observed him on rallying stages, but also competed against him.

In this story he vividly recalls when Mulligan gave him some lasting advice during the famous 1998 Rally Round Australia event.

Mulligan

Ed Mulligan in action in the 1970s. Image: Auto Action Archive

Webster was co-driving alongside Peter Brock, while Mulligan was busy leading Bruce Garland’s team to victory.

Mulligan had rallying in his blood, so much so that just last week he was at the Otago Classic in New Zealand.

He has also made a massive impact away from rally stages, being the founder of Opposite Lock.

Back in 1974 Ed and his wife Pam started a store in Sydney’s north selling sold rally and off-road race gear accessories and now over the last 50 years it has grown all over the country.

Mulligan was a fine driver as well, being a regular fixture of the Australian Rally Championship in the seventies.

He first appeared in the Round Australia Trial in 1970 and then turned his attention to the ARC where he scored a strong fourth place in 1974 and came very close to the ultimate goal in 1984.

He drove everything from Escorts to Toranas to Mazdas and Datsuns.

In the special and passionate tribute written with love, Webster’s connection with Mulligan stands out.

But most of all, it paints a picture of a man who lived and breathed all aspects of rallying and motorsport.

READ FULL TRIBUTE IN THE LATEST ISSUE OF AUTO ACTION DIGITAL

Ed Mulligan rallying

Ed Mulligan flying in a BMW.

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