18/04/2026
Veteran Motorsport Patron’s Pride and Joy Stolen in Launceston.
A long-time pillar of Tasmanian motorsport is reeling after his cherished classic car was stolen in Launceston on the eve of a major state event.
Eighty-two-year-old Dennis Cooper, Patron of the Motorsport Club of Tasmania and a lifelong advocate for the involvement of women and children in motorsport, had his beloved Nissan Skyline R31 taken from a hotel carpark late Friday night.
The theft occurred at the Colonial Hotel Launceston on April 17, 2026, just hours before Round 2 of the MSCT Khanacross Championship was set to take place. Cooper, who had travelled from Flinders Island to attend the event, had parked the vehicle overnight before discovering it missing the following morning.
The Skyline R31, a standout example of the iconic late-1980s performance sedan, holds deep personal and historical significance for Cooper. Known across the Tasmanian motorsport community not just for his dedication to the sport but for his unwavering support of grassroots competitors, Cooper has long been a familiar and respected figure at events statewide.
Club members and fellow competitors have expressed shock and disappointment at the incident, describing it as a “gut punch” to the motorsport community.
“This isn’t just a car—it’s Dennis’ pride and joy,” one competitor said. “He’s given so much to the sport over decades. To see this happen to him, especially right before a race meeting, is incredibly upsetting.”
Authorities are understood to be investigating the theft, and anyone with information is being urged to come forward.
The incident has cast a shadow over what was expected to be a competitive and high-spirited round of the championship, with many now rallying behind Cooper in hopes the vehicle can be recovered.
As the motorsport community bands together, the message is clear: this is more than just a stolen car—it’s a blow to one of the sport’s most respected supporters.