Gil Baird

OGLE · 17 Aug 2003, 00:27 (Ref:690034)

Does anyone know anything about a chap called Gil Baird who was involved in GT and Endurance racing in the 1960's ????

Did he have any family does anyone know any contacts who may have known him ?? Im researching history of Fletcher GT but would love to hear anything about the man Gilbert R Baird or any existing family or friends ??? Cheers Paul Ogle

Andrew Kitson · 17 Aug 2003, 10:07 (Ref:690229)

He was also involved with a sports 2000 team in the 80s.

gfm · 17 Aug 2003, 15:35 (Ref:690388)

Gil Baird was a fantastic bloke. He sponsored some good people in his time - Alan Rollinson was one of his best I think and many of us were fortunate enough to benefit from his patronage.
Gil passed on maybe 10/12 years ago now and I met him in his final few season's of racing (He sponsored me in a car for the 24 Hours of Snetterton, in a Capri 3l and got him a 3rd place) He and his family were living near Little Aston, Sutton Coldfield. But I know he had been involved in 2 Litre Chevrons, F5000 and many more classes and drivers.
Hopefully, someone else will read this thread and do the man justice. I know it was a particularly colourful career spurred on by a super-enthusiastic attitude. One of the old school, sadly nmissed.
A story worth telling. Who can dig it up?

gfm · 17 Aug 2003, 16:22 (Ref:690413)

Try James Beckett at the BRDC, Ogle. I think Gil was a member.

David McKinney · 17 Aug 2003, 16:37 (Ref:690419)

I was going to suggest Sean Walker - wasn't he backed by Gil Baird in S2000?

gfm · 17 Aug 2003, 16:40 (Ref:690420)

Yes of course, Sean is based in Hemel Hempstead with his gearbox company - someone? FAI plc thank you - and big buddy with Ian Flux. Well done.

**ghinzani** · 18 Aug 2003, 09:07 (Ref:690920)

via Techspeed IIRC?

OGLE · 20 Aug 2003, 09:54 (Ref:693005)

Thanks to the replies so far every small bit of info is helping me to see the full history and im gratefull !!

Ghinzani , Thanks for your message but im not sure I understand it. Can you help any further ?

**ghinzani** · 21 Aug 2003, 17:51 (Ref:694603)

Sorry yes, the name of the team that used to run Sean was Techspeed and if I recall correctly it was owned by Gil. Not a bad outfit too as I remember, they had a very nice sports 2000 in FAI colours for Thundersports - was it a Royale rp37/38 ??

Andrew Kitson · 21 Aug 2003, 18:05 (Ref:694614)

Ghinzani - yes it was an RP37. I remember because I had to paint a picture of it at the time - with James Thompson's yellow Guyson car in pursuit. The picture was done for Alan Cornock of Royale. Techspeed are still going today in the BTCC.

Andrew Kitson · 21 Aug 2003, 18:10 (Ref:694618)

I also think Gil Baird ran an F.atlantic car - think it was a white/red March 722 BDA under the banner 'Anglo Swiss Racing Team' for Gill Orchard. 1974.

OGLE · 25 Sep 2003, 18:50 (Ref:730004)

Thanks to everyone for replies !!

Once again this has helped enormously and I am Now able to contact Gills Son re info.

Cheers Paul O

RTH · 28 Sep 2003, 15:53 (Ref:732865)

I believe Gil Baird made the money for various team ownership projects from the family meat business actually my hair dresser used to do the race meeting catering at the circuits with the other wives and girl friends for team personel and sponsors guests.

OGLE · 13 Oct 2003, 21:01 (Ref:750203)

Hi RTH

Youre Hairdresser didnt hapen to take any pictures did they ??

RTH · 15 Oct 2003, 12:32 (Ref:752079)

Ogle,
I've no doubt she would have done, but she moved to Kettering when her husband got a job as an engine builder at Ilmor, so I'm no longer in touch.

JNWRF01 · 17 Oct 2003, 13:44 (Ref:754360)

Gil was a lovely guy - who passed away about 10+ years ago.

He indeed sponsored many young drivers - myself included - and ran a meat business in the Midland (Midlands Meat Packers if i remember right). He was a driver and team owner. His team was called Techspeed (still run today by Marvin Humphries) and started off in Sports 2000, ran in F3 (running people like Jordi Gene, Oz Negri, Sean Walker etc etc), Prosports and then in the BTCC and onwards. After he died the team continued on in its present form.

He was a fantastic chap - he used to have the upstairs hospitality box at Silverstone at the end of the pit lane, which was always a fun afternoon.

People like Gil really do form the backbone of motorsport.

JNWRF01 · 17 Oct 2003, 13:45 (Ref:754361)

In terms of getting more information speak to Marvin Humphries at Techspeed..

h4887 · 17 Oct 2003, 19:43 (Ref:754704)

In 1965/66 Gil Baird entered a Ginetta G4R which was driven by Chris Meek. The car was run from the factory and was very successful, usually seeing off the competition Elans (except that of one Jackie Oliver!)

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