19 replies to this topic

[Parkesi]

https://www.motorspo...on-cruickshank/

[Richard Jenkins]

Gosh, absolutely floored by this.

Gordon was great to deal with and without his support, I doubt the books I've been involved with would've had anywhere near the exposure if he hadn't been involved.

A terrific obituary which truly captures the essence of the man.

RIP Gordon. Thoughts with all his many friends and family.

[BRG]

I am deeply sorry to hear of Gordon's passing. 

[jbbugatti]

What terribly sad news.….

 

Gordon was a lovely man, who it was a pleasure to know, and, occasionally, to help.

 

He will be greatly missed.

Edited by jbbugatti, 11 December 2024 - 22:27.

[john aston]

That is a very good obituary . Such a shame that we often only learn much about a life after it's ended . 

 

And I have often thought that the subject of  motoring journalism is a neglected one . It might seem self indulgent and meta for a book or article by a motoring journo  to be about their own profession but with such candidatesas Blain , Bell, Setright , Manney , Bulgin (David E )Davis, Posey as well as the obvious DSJ (about whom there is at least some stuff),  I think there are rich pickings. 

Edited by john aston, 12 December 2024 - 06:59.

[LittleChris]

What awful news. RIP Gordon ☹️

[68targa]

Oh no, this is very sad news. I am so sorry to hear this.

RIP

[Sterzo]

Uncountable hours have been spent enjoying GC's Motor Sport articles, including his memorable tales of working as a junior with Bod and Jenks. There must be so many of us for whom the monthly mag has been an unmissable treat, and the debt we owe to those who kept it going is immeasurable.

[marksixman]

What a wonderful tribute from Andrew Frankel.

 

I loved reading Gordon's comments on anything, which were never ever clouded by his own misfortune. A true enthusiast, and a very knowledgeable and astute one

 

RIP Gordon. You deserve it !

[richardspringett]

Andrew, thank you for that obituary, Gordon Cruikshank will be missed....

 

RIP.

 

Richard

Edited by richardspringett, 13 December 2024 - 02:31.

[ellrosso]

RIP GC, I enjoyed reading all of his articles over the years. Very sad news.

[Doug Nye]

I have only just this minute heard of Gordon's passing...

 

He was the single most quietly, privately, impressive and indeed admirable person I have ever known.  

 

I never shared an office with him, but on the relatively few occasions we actually met - and in far more frequent telephone and e-mail conversations and dealings - to do so was always a pleasure. To me, he and Frank Williams were totally from the same mould in dealing indomitably with the hand that fate and nature had dealt them.  

 

Brave, capable, competent and committed to his lifelong motor sport passion - Gordon stoically endured, survived and overcame discomfort, limitation and setbacks under which a lesser man would surely just disintegrate.  

 

He is sure to be remembered with admiration, and boundless respect.

 

RIP 'GC'...

 

DCN 

 

PS - Andrew Frankel's heartfelt obituary says it all - he was far closer than I - superb.

Edited by Doug Nye, 12 December 2024 - 10:58.

[P0wderf1nger]

Terrible news - and he'd seemed so well at the book awards just last month.

 

Sincere condolences to his loved one, friends and colleagues.

 

That is indeed a very fine tribute to him from Andrew Frankel - it brings to mind Gordon's for Bill Boddy.

Edited by P0wderf1nger, 12 December 2024 - 14:15.

[DCapps]

All my direct dealings with Gordon were through email and they were always interesting in the perspectives they offered.

When we tended to somehow end up at the same place from different directions after a few exchanges, I began to really appreciate the broad range of his interests and knowledge.

It was my understanding that Gordon was one (or perhaps THE One) of those who got the 1933 GP di Tripoli corrective into the magazine.

 

He will certainly be missed and definitely remembered.

[GMiranda]

I read the news on Tuesday on Facebook, but as they were nowhere to be seen in other places, especially in Motor Sport, I waited because it could have been a mistake, like Guy Edwards' some years ago. Sadly, it came as true; I remember his chronicles since I subscribed to the magazine.

[MarkBisset]

"How are the ducks and swans?' Gordon would ask me.

 

Inevitably our occasional conversations were in the wee-small-hours for me in Australia, usually circumnavigating Albert Park Lake on foot. On the first occasion the ducks were particularly raucous which gave Gordon a laugh at home in Wimbledon, and the usual start to our chats subsequently.

 

The first ever article I pitched was to MotorSport in mid-2020, Joe Dunn flicked me to Gordon who became my 'handler'. How lucky I was.

 

What a pleasure to work with, especially early on when I was terribly green. As a freelancer you don't want to dick-around with stuff that won't make the cut so his yes, no...hmmm maybe's were always great. He added value too, bits of fizz - facts - in the Whitehead/Cooper T38 Jaguar and Aston Martin DP155 pieces I did, and interviewed Derek Bell for the Israel GP thing which gave it a dimension it lacked. 

 

I wasn't aware of his circumstances until one of the TNFers I met with when last in the UK in mid-2022 told me: either Michael Oliver, Tony Pashley or Doug. I never got a sense of it in our chats, but as Andrew Frankel and Doug have explained, to achieve what he did and live such a full life given the physical impediments is extraordinary.

 

RIP Gordon, I shall miss your style, gentle guidance, knowledge and wisdom.

 

Mark Bisset 

[RobertE]

Awful news; Andrew's splendid obit. really says it . RIP Gordy.

[Doug Nye]

Goodwood Revival - 'sustainable' fuel...

 

DCN

[JohnH]

Terrible news . I received an issue in early 2012 that was incredible and wrote to the editor w my praise . Gordon personally responded to me and I was really touched by that. In fact , he actually said thanks again a month later! Who does that ? He was a special guy. RIP.

Edited by JohnH, 13 December 2024 - 23:05.

[sstiel]

 https://www.thecouri...st-tetraplegic/ From The Courier. 

Edited by sstiel, 26 December 2024 - 21:18.