Arthur Gill | |
Arthur Gill passed away in November 2008. Here are some thoughts by Jonathan Gill In some ways it was a miracle that Gill ever made it to the half-litre starting grid, let alone to the 82 years that he lived until his passing in November 2008.
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John Cooper was certainly impressed as, at the end of the season, he offered Gill a chance to test in the new prototype Cooper-Bristol. Gill, however, didn’t think he was ready for a step up to F2 after just one season’s racing and, as the history books record, the drive subsequently went to a Mike Hawthorn. | Arthur after his podium in Madrid |
Indeed, Gill used to travel to events with the family butler, Courtney, and their presence in the 500cc paddock wasn’t without its lighter moments. At one meeting Gill was parked next to a newcomer, Peter Jopp, whose car was suffering from transmission troubles. Seeing Joppie’s plight, Courtney was summoned: “pour Mr Jopp a Pimms and then fix his clutch”, was the order. Peter used to recall the moment with a big grin and say he knew he was in the right sport from that moment onwards!
Despite this he never lost his love for motor sport, maintaining close links via his active role as a BRDC board member for more than 20 years between 1971 and 1992 and, more socially, via his annual “racing drivers’ shoot” – regular invitees included Jack Sears, Graham Hill, Peter Jopp, Derek Bell, Eric Thompson and a host of other familiar faces and old friends. Here are some of Arthur's Results
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