Don Baker

On 28^th November 1998, an era in BRSCC and Brands Hatch marshalling history ended with the sad death at the age of 72 after a short illness, of long-time Brands Hatch post two observer, and more recent senior judge Don Baker. Don first became involved with the BRSCC during its Half-Litre Club days in 1952, regularly marshalling at 500cc Formula 3 events when Brands was a one-mile, anti-clockwise circuit and star drivers included Stirling Moss, John Cooper, Bernie Ecclestone, Ken Gregory, Les Leston and Don Truman.

He rose through the ranks on post to become a respected observer, where he was a regular fixture at BRSCC HQ events on post two, which became renowned as the post to learn marshalling skills and teamwork. Current SE Centre chief marshal Alex Spooner and Centre chairman Bernard Cottrell are just two officials who worked with Don early in their Club careers, Alex recalling that as a trainee flag marshal, his foot had to on the white line, otherwise he wasn’t out far enough. Don officiated in a similar capacity at numerous British Grands Prix and for other clubs at Brands Hatch, as well as visiting other circuits.

A heart scare in the late 70’s resulted in on stepping down from regular on-post responsibilities, for a while passing on the benefits of his experience to would-be observers, before joining the judges team at Brands Hatch, coordinating activities for the last decade or so, working closely with timekeepers and race control officials. The hectic Formula Ford Festival was Don’s last meeting at Brands Hatch, a typically busy event keeping him on his toes.

A measure of the respect with which Don was held was the award of the reintroduced Hawkes Trophy at the 1973 BRSCC Dinner Dance as HQ Marshal of the Year to mark his 20 years of service to the Club. Similar, informal presentations to mark his 25^th and 40^th anniversaries left Don – on two rare occasions – lost for words. His reliability was evidenced by the regular award at Marshal’s Suppers and subsequent Centre Dinner Dances of Hawkes Stars for 100% attendance. He also regularly supported HQ and Centre social functions, and was a generous material benefactor to the Club’s archive, regularly raiding his attic to donate race programmes and other historic artefacts. He was instrumental in the inauguration of two Centre annual awards: for Novice/Trainee Marshal of the Year and Most Entertaining Driver of the Year.

A king and generous man, much-loved by all those who knew him in the sport, Don will be sadly missed. Our thoughts are with Margaret, his devoted wife and companion of 42 years.

Colin Mann 1998