35 replies to this topic

[raoul leDuke]

We are sorry to announce that Derek Gardner passed away on Friday night peacefully in his sleep with his family at his bedside.

Derek first worked in F1 with Ferguson Research in 1969 developing the four-wheel drive systems for Matra MS80. He met ken Tyrrell and designed the first Tyrrell the 001. An innovative designer perhaps his most memorable contribution was the six wheel P34 car in the mid 1970s.

Our condolences to his family and friends.

www.historicracing.com
www.facebook.com/historicracing

[bigears]

He was an extremely innotative designer, we don't see much of them nowadays.

Edited by bigears, 10 January 2011 - 12:47.

[David McKinney]

Sad news
I was able to spend quite a bit of time with him in the '80s when he was working with Martin Stretton and found him an amusing and interesting man

[raoul leDuke]

Sad news
I was able to spend quite a bit of time with him in the '80s when he was working with Martin Stretton and found him an amusing and interesting man

I know Martin will miss him. He visited him regularly and always tried to lift his spirits despite his failing health.

[Doug Nye]

I understand that Derek Gardner - much respected Tyrrell F1 designer - passed away last Friday. He was very different to the 'normal' run of Formula 1 engineers...his involvement was very brief, covering only eight seasons in effective command, from which he emerged as a still deeply impressive and respected figure. Sincere condolences to his family and friends...

DCN

Edited by Doug Nye, 10 January 2011 - 16:57.

[Stefan Schmidt]

I understand that Derek Gardner - much respected Tyrrell F1 designer - passed away last Friday. He was very different to the 'normal' run of Formula 1 engineers...his involvement was very brief, covering only four seasons in effective command, from which he emerged as a still deeply impressive and respected figure. Sincere condolences to his family and friends...

DCN

RIP Derek Gardner

[gio66]

RIP Mr. Gardner.

You have made us dream so many children, like me, in the 70's.

[Longtimefan]

oh thats really sad...

He was so talented, Tyrrell 003 and 006 were really superb creations.

RIP Derek, I guess he's with Ken, Nora and Francois now.

[Arturo Pereira]

RIP Derek Gardner

[Paul Hurdsfield]

Very sad. Condolences to his family and friends.

Edited by Paul Hurdsfield, 10 January 2011 - 12:59.

[Gary Davies]

I trust Doug doesn't object to my quoting from his book The Grand Prix Tyrrells. In it, there is a quote from Derek Gardner that is wonderfully humble and charming on several counts. Its particular appeal to me lies in its evoking a gentler, more civilised era.

Gardner is describing a phone call he received from Ken Tyrrell who had recently learnt that Derek had left Ferguson:

'He asked if we could meet somewhere to discuss something which might interest me. We decided that a pub in Henley was about halfway, and we met there.

'Ken is never one to beat about the bush, and he just asked me if I thought I could design a Formula 1 car. He didn't want the answer straight away, and I spent some time considering whether I could design one, and when I decided that I could, I began to wonder whether I should! But all along, I knew the answer would be "yes".'

Rest in peace, Derek Gardner.

[JacnGille]

Sad news.

[JacnGille]

Yes, sad news.

[Speedy27]

Tyrrell 003 captured my attention as a 6-year old and started me on the path of an enduring passion for motorsport in which the highs and lows of that dream team remain defining events of the ongoing journey.

Thank you, Derek Gardner - RIP.

[Paolo]

Mr Six Wheeler.
I remember a very good interview in Motorsport, years ago, when he explained how purposely developed tyres had made the car a winner in Historics.
He'll be missed.

[Altitude]

Sad news. His creations helped me to become a massive Tyrrell fan.
R.I.P.

[tyrrellp346wheels]

Very sad news. RIP

[arttidesco]

I doubt I ever will witness anything technically more fascinating than the P 3/4 being wheeled round the Nordschleife by Jody & Patrick in 1976. Thank you Mr Gardner RIP. Condolences to his Family and Friends.

[Gary C]

My friend Jonathan Hall restored Simon Bull's P34 chassis 6 back in the late 1990's. Derek was involved right from the onset as he reckoned the car was un-finished business. I met him a couple of times over that period and found him a thoroughly nice guy. In fact, I once gave him a call and asked if he would be up to me bringing a video camera down and shooting an interview with him 'for the archive', but unfortunately, he gently declined. Shame. RIP Derek.

[Gene Varnier]

Very sad to have heard of Derek's passing away. I heard from his wife just before Christmas that his health recently was deteriorating almost by the week, so his passing was, unfortunately,not unexpected.
He gave me my first Formula One design job way back in 1976, and I feel proud to have worked along side someone who was a thouroughly decent man as well as being one of the last true innovators in Formula One design, and not only because of the P34.
I was pleased a few years ago that with the help of Martin Stretton's driving ability and Avon's commitment to producing "modern" front tyres, that Derek could realise some of the potential of the 6 wheel concept.
Rest in Peace Derek, and thanks for the opportunities.

Gene Varnier

[jj2728]

RIP

[Muz Bee]

Is someone preparing some kind of obituary - Doug?

Like so many car designers and "behind the scenes" GP people we know little other than what we saw on track and in pits. The 001 was a terrific car and looked great with it's flat, across-the-nose front wing until replaced by the curved and cowled front end. RIP

[Lemnpiper]

Rip Mr Gardner,

Hot Wheels released 2 versions recently a Blue one and a white one


http://www.hotwheels...p34-six-wheeler

Edited by Lemnpiper, 11 January 2011 - 00:01.

[Prototype]

I am surprised by the lack of acknowledgment of Derek Gardner in the motor racing press.

Cars he designed won 20 Grand Prix; they also delivered for J Y Stewart 2 World Driver's Championships and for Team Tyrrell 2 World Constructor's Championships.

His contribution was immense.

[Richard Jenkins]

Innovative & ahead of his time but always under-rated, I felt, despite his achievements. Sad news, especially after Jim Endruweit's death as well. RIP

[Henri Greuter]

Innovative & ahead of his time but always under-rated, I felt, despite his achievements. Sad news, especially after Jim Endruweit's death as well. RIP

I regret that I never found a manner to communicate in time with him about another legend he put on wheels and one idea he supposedly had.

Rest in peace mr. Gardner.


Henri Greuter

[hipperson]

003




Credit: Nick Loudon

[Longtimefan]

I am surprised by the lack of acknowledgment of Derek Gardner in the motor racing press.

Cars he designed won 20 Grand Prix; they also delivered for J Y Stewart 2 World Driver's Championships and for Team Tyrrell 2 World Constructor's Championships.

His contribution was immense.

Me too, in face I'm quite saddened by the lack of coverage of this.

[Gary C]

at least Pitpass have put something up : http://www.pitpass.c...es_art_id=42771

[Paul Parker]

Me too, in face I'm quite saddened by the lack of coverage of this.

Another sad loss, my sincerest condolences to family and friends.

It is hard to believe that the 6 wheeler made its first appearance circa 35 years ago, a time when radical innovation was still probable and possible.

[RemcoHitman]

Ah, this is sad news indeed. Derek Gardner gave us some of the most beautiful and memorable cars in F1, and they were championship winning as well!

Unforgettable.


May he rest in peace.

[barrykm]

R.I.P. Derek.

[Cobra]

R.I.P. Mr Gardner

[eldougo]

Derek Gardner (1931 - 2011) R.I.P.


Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Edited by eldougo, 13 January 2011 - 11:52.

[Jack-the-Lad]

Condolences to Mr. Gardner's family. R.I.P.

[RotaryBri]

Condolences to Mr. Gardner's family. R.I.P.

And to think that he designed these cars on a drawing board in the spare bedroom of his house in Leamington Spa. We will not see the like of of such a clever individual again.

My sympathy goes out to his family.