Frank Gardner 1930-2009

AUSmotive pays its respects to Australian motorsport great Frank Gardner OAM who passed away on Saturday. Gardner was active in the motor racing industry for more than half of his life. He was 78.

A successful racer and team manager, Gardner was also passionate about road safety. A sample of this is given in the clip above after the jump. Filmed in 1973, Gardner talks about keeping respect for his 550bhp Chevrolet Camaro on the Oulton Park circuit in England.

His book Drive to Survive was published in 1980 and is still available today.

Gardner drove in Formula One during the mid 1960s, started Le Mans 14 times and won overseas titles in open wheeler and tin top categories. After returning home the driving success continued with the Australian Sports Sedan Championship in 1975.

He was also well known for his team management prowess, most notably guiding Tony Longhurst and Tomas Mezera to a Bathurst 1000 victory in 1988. He also oversaw Australian Touring Car Championships with Jim Richards in 1985 and 1987. Gardner’s most recent success was to direct Paul Morris to the 1995 Australian Super Touring Championship.

Geoff Brabham, who drove for Gardner in the 1990s, said, “He was one of the legends because he was very successful overseas and to me that stands people apart from those who only succeed locally.

“He had a big influence with Ford at Le Mans and his managing skills were legendary. He was pretty tough but one of those guys that if you met him head on and argued it out he respected you.”

More about Gardner’s legacy can be read at Wheels.

The bloke in the white terry towelling hat has passed on. May he rest in peace.

[Source: Courier-Mail]

UPDATE 31 August: A brief tribute to Frank Gardner, originally broadcast on One HD last night, has been added above.