Bernard Baxter. Engine builder.

[dikko]

Jon Sykes rang to say Bernard Baxter has died suddenly (Thursday 20th October) of an aneurysm (artery enlargement).
I think our Bernard may have been a follower of the following thought process - one that brought him a lot of fun. Taken from a ten/tenther thread footnote but very apt in his case.

"Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, wine in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"

Sorry to send you bad tidings.

[modee]

Bernard was in great form all week at the festival. "See you at Silverstone" as I left the Kentagon Sunday night. Not to be.

[Dybdob]

On behalf of the Classic Formula Ford community, I would like to express our shock and sadness at the untimely and sudden passing of Bernard on Wednesday. Bernard had been a stalwart of Classic FF over the years, as a driver - he won the Championship in 1996 - as a car preparer - he 'ran' many drivers in Classic, as well as many other Championships of course, both here in the UK and in Europe - as an engine builder - BBE engines were regularly powering drivers to victory, as well as making up over half the Classic grid in recent years - and as a sponsor - Bernard co sponsored the Classic Championship over many seasons, and we were titled by the rather incongruous 'Bernard Baxter Engineering / URS Classic Formula Ford Championship' for the past 2 seasons in recognition of his contributions, both financial as well as free engine rebuilds for our 'Novice' Champion every season.

Without doubt, we have lost a cornerstone of club level single seater motor racing. His skills and talents will be sadly missed, along with his Lancastrian wit and humour. The paddock will be a quieter place in 2012....

Bernard rest in peace. Thanks for all you did for us over many years.

Andy Hodson

Classic Formula Ford Register

See http://www.classicformulaford.com/

[jhh911]

It is a sad irony that I talked to Bernard on Tuesday night about having my 2000 engine rebuilt for next season(his first ever 2000 motor).Bernard had obviously been thinking about a couple of tweeks based on what we had learnt this year,so I arranged to drop it off at his home at 11 am Wednesday morning.Sadly I arrived to hear he had been taken to hospital.
Of course the next I heard was the terrible news of his passing.
To my wife and I, a paddock without Bernard will never be the same.He had become a good friend and supporter and we shared quite a few bevy's together on race weekends.A true enthusiast,first class bloke and a great company.Good bye Bernard and thanks for all your help.

[Simon Davey]

This is terrible news. Bernard was a genuinely good person, and helped many people in motorsport, on occasions too numerous to recount here. He was also one of racings real characters. We will not see his like again. Many condolences to his family. RIP.

Simon Davey

[Dybdob]

Bernard's funeral will take place on Friday, October 28th at 11am, to be held at St Michael's Parish Church, St Michael's Avenue, Bramhall, Stockport, SK7 2PG. See below for directions :

http://www.bramhallcofe.org/Parish/Directions.html

The family would like all drivers attending to take along their race suits along with a black tie, for a 'racing drivers' guard of honour'. Everyone that knew Bernard is warmly invited.

There will be refreshments afterwards.

[Paul McMorran]

Bernard planned to run my F3 Crossle at Silverstone to-morrow, and would've been arriving there as I write this. I can hardly believe he won't be there, winding everyone up in his own inimitable way. Like all of us I am devastated.

There will be many BB stories to share and much to laugh about one day, as Bernard would have wanted, but for now it'll just not be the same without him.

[dave lowe]

Sad and shocked at the news.Agreat competitor,engineer,and all round good bloke.Was allways trying to get me to have a beer as a non drinker.
Might just break that rule tonight Matey.Cheers Bernard.Dave Lowe.

[vanrf81]

My condolences to his family.

As has already been said, the paddock just won't be the same without him.

Although I have never ran a BBE engine, I got to know him well through his fantastic support of the Classic FF championship.

Not many had his level of knowledge and experience of FF / motorsport, some who maybe do can tend to come over as a little superior or arrogant but not Bernard, there wasn't a more approachable and light hearted soul in the paddock.

Rest in peace BB.

[Alan Raine]

Shocked when I heard this unexpected news yesterday. I used to do a the Advertising for the Aintree Racing Drivers School and Bernard was generally around keeping the cars going. Always a smile, hello and roll up ciggie on the go. He was close to Roger Eccleston when Rog died and quite cut up about it at the time, although Bernard ended up driving Rogers Crossle at the speed the car was accustomed to. (Is this the car Bernard broke his arm in at Oulton).

I last saw him at Oulton at the Classic FFord races and he looked his normal smiling self.

He was one of those who was prepared to put something back into the sport - he'll be greatly missed.

[mrracey]

As many other on this forum, I too have fond memories of Bernard, in partiular racing against him. That autosport (or was it Motorsport News) headline "Bernard Baxter mounts Nigel Lingwood" after a coming togethar at the start of an event at mallory, probably 10 years ago, will stick with me forever. Someone else mentioned when he broke his arm at Oulton - I saw the incident in my mirrors!
Great guy, down to earth. He'll be sadly missed.
Nigel Lingwood

[herowassenna]

RIP Bernard, a pleasure to have met you a few years back.

[rf80racer]

Sincere sympathies to the Baxter family.
What a character Bernard was, I will miss the tea and tales that were always on offer when collecting an engine from the workshop.
Cheers Bernard, rest in peace.

[Séamas M.]

Originally Posted by mrracey

... "Bernard Baxter mounts Nigel Lingwood" after a coming togethar at the start of an event at mallory, probably 10 years ago
Nigel Lingwood

It was actually 20 years ago! I think I got the altitude prize in that incident but Bernard definitely had full points for artistic impression for what looked a very neat pirouette on your roll bar Nigel.

He truly was a gent. RIP Bernard.

[megaquick]

I think everything has been said that can be said about Bernard, I raced against Bernard in the 90's and always found him a great bloke on and off the track. I was only looking at a picture of Bernard and me at Brands Hatch on my office wall this morning and twenty minutes later I received the news. Rest in Peace Bernard, Nigel FH.

[lotus18]

A very sad new...
I knew Bernard for about 3 or 4 years...
He always give me good advices when meeting on the tracks and a nice reliable engine..
We had a very fine 30th July raceWE at Oulton with him..

Au revoir ami Bernard!

Pierre BURET (France)

[jaapblijleven]

I did a couple of races in the UK last year. The car was parked at Bernard's workshop. He would prepare it between races and would go with me to the races. There people would ask him who he was running, nobody he said, i am here for fun! then he said to me, if i am running you, i have to charge you. So i kept on bringin bottles of bacardi. That's typical Bernard a racer who loved to be at the circuits. We Miss you dear! See you later!
Jaap, Rina, Delphine and Mart

[dave lowe]

A friend phoned me last night to say that Oulton Park held a minutes silence as a tribute to Bernard at his very local circuit yesterday.Avery apt and moving thing to do .

[Patmo]

Bernard was a great character also well kno<n and loved on the continental circuits.
We will miss his humor and jokes
Stay in peace and "au revoir Bernard"
Patrick MORRISSEY from Paris France

[diz]

Originally Posted by dave lowe

A friend phoned me last night to say that Oulton Park held a minutes silence as a tribute to Bernard at his very local circuit
yesterday.A very apt and moving thing to do .

Yes Dave - the silence was shared with Dan Weldon - and those who didn't make it to the startline were respectfully silent in the paddock. You could have heard a pin drop. I've never known a race circuit so quiet.
All the FF1600s' carried "RIP Bernard" decals. And the ironic connection is that Bernard spannered Dan Weldon in his early car career.

The majority of people I spoke to said that they just couldn't believe he was gone.

I saw quite a bit of him at the Formula Ford Festival a few days before he passed away and just expected to see him at the WHT at Silverstone the weekend after next. Sadly not to be.

Everyone has a Bernard tale to tell and mine involves having him stay with me for a few weeks after Angela had kicked him out. That was a very interesting and different few weeks in my life. He managed to worm his way back home and my life became plain old boring again.

[Paulsadot]

Hello all, very sad to hear of Bernard's passing - I raced gearbox karts (210 National) with Bernard back in the late 70's, early 80's, at short and long circuits, we were part of a little team with a mutual friend Brian Galley. All travelled together with wives/girlfriends in an old converted coach. We had some great laughs - Bernard was always a brilliant character and proper lad. Some great fond memories.
Our sincerest condolences to all his friends and family.
Paul & Carol Sadotti

[FranksWilde]

Very sad news.

[Mickthemove]

Just heard today, the very sad news, my thoughts are with his family,

Bernard built my car/engine in the nineties and although i was a carthorse of a slow driver, it never stopped him from being professional and full of humour!

Once at Cadwell testday, after a nice slow jaunt by me around the circuit, he put my overalls and helmet on and proceeded to be second fastest on the day, much to his amusement after all the other drivers came to check what had been done to the car as it was an eight second improvement!

Top guy and a legend of classic ff1600 and never did weigh me in for setting him on the road to an engine building business

RIP

[SamBaxter]

Bernard's nephew Craig owns TGS Tuning/TopGear Stockport and specialises in fabrication and rotary engine builds. Engine building must run in the Baxter blood.