8 replies to this topic

[BRG]

Can I just mention a couple the motor sport fraternity who have passed on, even if that are perhaps of more interest to UK members? They are Barrie Gill, commentator, journalist and agent, and Rodney Quaife, transmission engineer extaordinaire, who both died last week.

Barrie Gill was one of the regulars on TV and in print when I was a lad. I “met” him just once – I was a spotty oik pumping petrol in my school holidays. He came onto the forecourt in his Cooper S and was a little surprised when he found that I knew that the S had twin tanks with a filler each side. He moved into the agent business, setting up CSS , whose clients included James Hunt and Barry Sheene. I guess that, with old hands like John Bolster and Raymond Baxter, Barrie help to fuel my early interest in the sport.

Rodney Quaife may not have been so well known. He set up a specialist transmission company in 1965, firstly for bikes, then moving into cars, starting in rallycross, then rallying and later racing and everything else. His son Mike competed to prove and promote the products. I remember co-driving in an Escort that had a prototype Quaife limited slip diff – compared to the regular Salisbury unit, it was so quiet and refined that we wondered if it really worked – bui it did! And it was reliable. Reaching the world of F1 bu the 1980s, Quaife patented the automatic biasing differential which was used in the Benetton B186. In recent years, Quaife even built their own car, the Quaife GT – a 4WD GT car used in the British series. Few of us knew Rodney the man, but his impact on the motorsport scene, especially in the UK, has been considerable. If any of you want a specialised transmission, try Quaife!

[Don Capps]

I certainly saddened to hear of the deaths of these two gents. Barrie Gill I met a time or two and seemed to be a nice person -- he was certainly patient with those around me pestering him with questions. Rodney Quaife is a name I had not thought of in a good while. At some point I once got interested in the Wrenches that dreamed up transmissions. Quaife was kind enough to answer some questions for me once upon a time for an article I wrote.

Godspeed, Gentlemen.

[cheesy poofs]

I unfortunately did not know of Rodney Quaife, but I am saddened to hear about the passing of Barrie Gill. Barrie covered many Canadian GP's over the years for the ( english-speaking ) host broadcaster.

Farewell, gentlemen

[Eric McLoughlin]

Barrie Gill used to fill in for the BBC when Murray was otherwise occupied, like when covering the British Motor Cycle Grand Prix for instance.

I currently have a car trailer for my Caterham that is adorned with "Quaife" stickers (put on by the previous owner). Anongst the Seven fraternity, Quaife Limited Slip Differentials are highly regarded.

[mp4]

Barry Gill used to work with the CBC, as previously noted, for the Canadian Grand Prix.
I recall him wandering down the pit lane interviewing drivers and team owners.
He always had great questions about things and his enthusiam was genuine.
We, in Canada, will miss him.

[petefenelon]

Originally posted by Eric McLoughlin
Barrie Gill used to fill in for the BBC when Murray was otherwise occupied, like when covering the British Motor Cycle Grand Prix for instance.

I currently have a car trailer for my Caterham that is adorned with "Quaife" stickers (put on by the previous owner). Anongst the Seven fraternity, Quaife Limited Slip Differentials are highly regarded.

Quaife also built a very nice (4wd, IIRC, and Cosworth turbo powered) GT car a few years ago - aimed at being a supercar and a British GT contender. I've got some photos of it at the Autosport show knocking around - will post when I get home.

Sad to hear of both of these losses.

pete

[Uwe]

Originally posted by Eric McLoughlin
I currently have a car trailer for my Caterham that is adorned with "Quaife" stickers (put on by the previous owner). Anongst the Seven fraternity, Quaife Limited Slip Differentials are highly regarded.

Yes, that was indeed the first time I heard of Quaife - in connection with Super Sevens. Sad to hear he passed away.

[hhh]

Sad to hear about Barrie Gill.
When I wandered around the Zandvoort circuit as a young lad, I got to know most of the English journalists, including Barrie Gill.
I admired these men, travelling all over the world with the F1 circus, but still having to live on a shoe-string next to all the F1 glamour.
In those days, it was a close-knit group: DSJ, Bolster, Gill, Norris, Brinton, Armstrong, Phipps, Turner, Blunsden, Garnier, etc.
RIP Barrie.

[911]

Here in the States, Barrie used to help out with the F1 coverage when CBS televised the events in the late 70s to mid-80s. The last time I had seen him do a race for CBS was the 1986 USGP @ Detroit. RIP, Barrie..