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Post by administrator on May 13, 2011 21:41:57 GMT 1
Clive Baker N...sa 1982.jpg[/img] Clive Baker, NaMICSA, 1982. He came from the Poole area and claimed to have raced midget cars in the USA in the late 1970s early 1980s. He signed to drive for NaMICSA but then ceased contact with the group. Does any site member know more about him? Attachments:
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Post by haflinger121 on May 13, 2011 23:32:23 GMT 1
Clive has been involved in motor sport of various kinds pretty much forever. I can recall him doing the road courses in Formula 5000 back in the late 1960's/early 1970's. They were very hairy beasts, a bit like a Grand Prix car but a lot heavier and powered by 5-litre (thus the name) V8's, like Bartz-Chevrolets.
I first got to know Clive when he got into racing Hot Rods (surprise!) down in the West Country, where he utilised an unusual Hillman Avenger which used to carry actual Mopar sponsorship. that would have been around the mid-1970's. I have a feeling he might also have dabbled in BriSCA F2 around that time.
We lost touch for many years, until I went to the 'States in 1993. It turned out Clive was friends with a ex-pat pal of mine who lived in Charlotte N.C. Clive had a house bang opposite the speedway itself and hosted a BBQ for a few of his mates and our party one night, a really memorable evening of great company, great food and great moonshine! Clive's son, Christian, was making a name for himself at that time in the then fledgling Legends. Only about 30 of them existed in total and they raced either on a makeshift track that used part of Charlotte's front stretch and the pit road, or a little dirt track behind the main raceway - this is the track that is called Lowes Motor Speedway today.
I think I may have briefly met Clive once since then, back here in the UK, but can't recall exactly where or when - it might have been at Rockingham when the Indy cars raced there for the first time. A genuinely good bloke, to be sure.
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