16 replies to this topic

[ReWind]

David McKinney’s helping hand, Barrie Hobkirk, passed away on January 26, 2019, in Vancouver, British Columbia. A small obituary here. (You have to scroll until you reach "Meet Our Members".)

Barrie Hobkirk passed away Saturday, Jan. 26, 2019, at 6:15 p.m., ending his long, painful, and hard-fought battle with a cancer that he could not beat this time.
After seven months spent in the hospital, they told him the treatment would kill him if he continued, and he came home in June.
He was born in San Diego, Calif. The Hobkirk family moved to Canada, where his father had immigrated to when he was a young man hailing from Scotland. Barrie lived in Richmond, B.C., and later North Delta, B.C., both of which are in the Vancouver area.
[…] Barrie was also a world renown expert on antique Maserati open-wheel race cars; he could authenticate any part of, or a complete car from one that was a black-market fake.

[Tim Murray]

I’m so very sorry to hear this news. Barrie was probably the world’s leading expert on the identification of Maserati 250Fs, and a great contributor to this forum. Sincere condolences to his family and friends.

[DCapps]

I wish I could say that I am surprised, but I have been dreading this for some time now. Not sure how I managed to miss Barrie's passing, but somehow I did. I am a bit crushed at the moment.

 

It was always fascinating to correspond and talk with Barrie. I never ceased to be amazed at what Barrie would come up with on some 250F and its adventures. Barrie and David graciously allowed me to enter their circle of what we privately called the "Tipo 250Fanatics."

 

My sincere condolences to his family and friends.

 

Barrie, it was fun knowing you -- but I could never imagine that many photographs.....!

[Roger Clark]

I suspect that Barrie Hobkirk knew more about 250Fs than anybody else did about any racing car. I never met him but I was always impressed, not only by his knowledge but also by his patience and courtesy in explaining things to those of us who know so much less.

Our world has lost one of its greats, and just a few days before the fifth anniversary of the passing of his long term collaborator, David McKinney.

[JacnGille]

Sad news

[oldtransamdriver]

If I remember correctly, Barrie was also an excellent Datsun 280Z production class racer at the Westwood track.

I used to see him sometimes at the Wilkinson's Automobila store in Vancouver.

 

Robert

[Michael Ferner]

That's truly sad. I never met the man, personally that is, but I met his spirit in the many postings and articles, the contributions to other people's work - in short: in his meticulously acquired knowledge and wisdom, which he shared so liberally. A true giant of our little world has left us, and we are the poorer for it.

RIP, Mr. Hobkirk

[Eric Dunsdon]

Like many others I never had the pleasure of meeting Barrie but as a fellow lover of all things Maserati I was very saddened to read of his passing. R.I.P.

[rudi]

We lose a very nice man who shared his knowledge and never forgot to come back if something was to be changed on his lists. R.I.P.

[JoBo]

I am shocked!

 

Barrie was a very warm and friendly person. There were other Maserati 250F experts but he was THE 250F-man! He also helped me with my book about the 300S.

 

He told me about his cancer problem some years ago and was in very fragile conditions then. But he recovered - but unfortunately only for a short period.

 

Barrie, whereever you are - I`ll send you the 2nd Edition that will come out soon.

 

Rest in Peace, my friend!

 

JoBo

[Alan Cox]

Very sad news of Barrie's passing, leaving a void that cannot possibly be filled. I was privileged to have met Barrie, many years ago now at a Coys Festival, in the company of David (who else?) and took to him immediately. He was such a friendly character and, as has been said, more than happy to share his hard-earned knowledge. I continued to correspond with him by email, and he always answered very promptly with a fulsome and definitive response, frequently accompanied by appropriate photographic evidence. Latterly, his responses were sometimes delayed and he would be very apologetic and would explain that he had been back in hospital undergoing some further treatment.

 

I was able to furnish him with photos of 250F appearances in the UK, for which he was most appreciative as he just couldn't get enough pictures of the cars in their current guises to add to his database. When I produced a book of Maserati photos in historic racing, he was very touched to receive it and to note the acknowledgement I had given him, for all the 250F chassis data I had included was thanks entirely to him and David.

 

Sometimes fate deals our friends a cruel hand which is why this news is upsetting, but he never bemoaned his lot in the correspondence we had which is something of a testament to the man.

 

RIP Barrie, it was a pleasure to have known you

[David Birchall]

If I remember correctly, Barrie was also an excellent Datsun 280Z production class racer at the Westwood track.

I used to see him sometimes at the Wilkinson's Automobila store in Vancouver.

 

Robert

THAT was where I remembered him from!  He lived not far from me, I never knew him but respected him as a 250F expert-is there a finer calling?

[Tim Murray]

Here’s another obituary which includes some more photos of Barrie:

http://www.flyinglin...kb.hobkirk.html

[Gabrci]

Very sad, I remember he was a great help in clearing up the confusion regarding Kavanagh, Behra and the Argentine races. 

[raceannouncer2003]

Very sorry to hear this.

 

I believe he also told me in a phone conversation that he was involved with the design of BC Ferries...that the 1990's ferry livery he came up with was inspired by the side striping on a 1970 Mustang.

 

Vince H.

[ReWind]

Does anyone know how old Barrie was?

[Doug Nye]

Very sad news.  Barrie made an enormous contribution to our understanding of the Maserati 250F series cars.  Most sincere condolences to his family and many friends. Poor old 'Kermit' - rest easy our friend...

 

DCN