With the recent, sad passing of Mike Parker (CSCC Lackford Engineering Midget & Sprite Challenge), Gil Duffy has agreed to carry on Mike's dedicated work, as Championship Co-ordinator.
More will be said in the future about Mike and his decades of work for the championship and MG's in general. Although the CSCC only had the pleasure of working with Mike for 12 months, he will be fondly remembered, especially his dry sense of humour. At our last race meeting, at Silverstone GP, late in June, he stayed behind after the meeting, to help the team pack the van and cars. 'His' championship wasn't even racing, but he came along just to help us, a real team player. We've been asked not to share this on Facebook directly: Mikes funeral is at South Oxon Crematorium and Memorial Park, OX13 5PA on Wednesday 24th July at 13:00. There is an informal gathering afterwards, to which friends and members are welcome, at the Abingdon Conservative club, 59 Ock Street, Abingdon, OX14 5AG. Rest in peace Mike.
Mike Parker (right), together with championship founder Larry Quinn (left) and wife Dorothy Quinn, at Silverstone on 1st June. Photo courtesy Mark Turner.
Gil is well known to the club and to the MG marque, coming recommended by Robin Lackford himself. Proper procedure dictates that the CSCC committee need to formerly vote him in at the next meeting, in September, so until then, Gil will serve as our interim co-ordinator.
We asked Gil to put together a 'motorsport cv', as way of an introduction to you all. In his own words:
I raced Go-Karts, as they were then called, as a teenager in the 1960's.
Then college, marriage, mortgage, children, career forced a break until I began racing a road-going MG Midget, in 1984. Over the next 20 odd years I progressed to a modified car and then a ModSport Austin Healey Sprite in 1999.
Along the way I competed in the 2CV 24 hour race (winning best rookie team)!
In 2002 I acquired a March 708 and competed in the HSCC Historic Formula Ford Championship, as well as a few sportscar races in an FIA TVR Grantura, which I co-built with friend Richard Perry.
In 2011 I was invited to drive the second of Jon Goddard Watts' FJ Bonds.
I also co-drove a Frogeye Sprite with my Daughter, Pippa Cow, in CSCC Swinging Sixties events in 2011 and 2012, including a win at Spa.
Gil in the no.7 Frogeye, CSCC Swinging 60s, Brands Hatch 2012, photo by David Stallard.
In 2012 Pippa moved to the Midget & Sprite Challenge, where our self-prepared Sprite has had considerable success. I took over as Secretary of the Midget & Sprite challenge when founder Larry Quinn retired.
In 2012 I won the B1 class in the UK Championship (Front engine 1000cc).
In 2013 we concentrated on the FIA Lurani Trophy, racing all over Europe.
I was lucky enough to win the B1 class and Andrew Tart, in the 1100cc sister car, won the overall Trophy. A highlight was attending the FIA historic awards dinner in Paris.
Early in 2014, I purchased the Kieft FJ and have raced it regularly for 5 years in the HFJRA / HSCC UK Championship as well as in occasional FIA Lurani Trophy events. I finished 6th overall in the UK Class Championship in 2016.
For 2019 I acquired a 1968 Brabham BT21b Historic F3 car, and continue to race that in the HSCC HF3 Championship.
Personal History
Born 16th July 1943, in Liverpool.
Married (55yrs!) to Suzanne, Daughter Pippa .
Qualified as a Pharmacist 1966
Career within The Boots Group with various roles at Boots the Chemist, but finally as Business Development Director at Halfords before retirement.
Gil ( Gilroy) Duffy
