Cliff plunge victim's death 'massive blow' to community

Central Motor Speedway president and competitor Daryl Ainsley, of Cromwell, was killed when his car plunged over a cliff in the Catlins.

A Central Otago speedway identity killed after his car went over a cliff had earlier come to the rescue of two mates. 

Daryl Ainsley's vehicle was found in the sea at the bottom of a cliff on the Tautuku peninsula, in the Catlins, about 11.20am on Saturday.

Lomas Ainsley said his brother, the 52-year-old father of three, had travelled to Tautuku on Friday afternoon with two friends to work on a bach he was renovating.

While going for a drive later that night, the two friends got their vehicle stuck and called on Ainsley for help.

"He towed them out, calling them idiots for getting stuck. They left thinking he would meet them at the bach. He never got back.

"It was dark. He must have got disoriented and went over a blind spot ... and went over the cliff."

Ainsley's friends made him a sandwich, but after a while went to bed. When they woke in the morning, he still was not back.

"That is when they panicked. They went to look around and couldn't find him anywhere, then went back for another look and found the truck."

Senior Constable Murray Hewitson said police were investigating the "tragic crash" in rough terrain. Ainsley's death has been referred to the coroner.

"It's like farmland with no fences and steep cliffs. We sent a rescue helicopter but it couldn't get close enough so we had to deploy search and rescue people get him out."

Lomas Ainsley described his brother as someone you could rely on for anything.

"Nothing was a problem. That was just the way he was. He was extremely determined and one of the most competitive people you would ever meet. He was a go-getter, a doer. There was nothing he talked about he didn't actually do."

Daryl Ainsley was a well-known Cromwell community stalwart and sportsman. He ran a successful business – Ainsley Shearing – and over the years "did a lot".

"He played rugby, squash, did the Coast to Coast three or four years in a row, got into multisport, gave DJ'ing a go ... everything he did he would beat everyone. WIth his raw energy and attitude, he would beat them," Lomas Ainsley said.

He was the Central Motor Speedway president and worked tirelessly behind the scenes at the speedway track. 

Friend and fellow speedway competitor Whetu Taewa said Ainsley's death was a "massive blow" to the community. He had a "real big heart".

"If you need something he will go out of his way to help, whether it's monetary or just a hand."

Central Motor Speedway former present Andy Erskine said Ainsley's passion and commitment for the people and sport could not be questioned.

He was a beloved and respected friend, president and competitor, Erskine said.