Gerry Birrell was a man with a seemingly assured future as one of the world's top racing drivers. Unfortunately most people will never have heard of the likeable Scotsman. On the verge of greatness he became yet another of the sport's great lost talents.

Gerry was born in Milngavie, a suburb of Glasgow, in 1945. His interest in racing was ignited by his brother Graham who started competing in national events and went on to become an excellent racer in his own right. Gerry made his own race debut at Charterhall in 1961, driving an Austin A40. It soon became clear that he was the more talented of the two brothers. He also possessed great mechanical knowledge and the ability to develop cars. A Lotus 11 succeeded the Austin, and Gerry rebuilt it from a wreck.

1967 was a significant year as Gerry had his first taste of a single-seater. After an impressive debut drive at Ingliston he went on to win the 1968 British Formula Vee title. From there he graduated to the blossoming Formula Ford Championship and, in 1970, to Formula 3. He immediately adapted to the faster cars and scored several victories in his first season.

For 1971 Gerry became a fully fledged Formula 2 driver. That year also saw his first drives in a Capri at the start of a fruitful relationship with Ford. The following season brought drives in the European Touring Car Championship, often alongside Jochen Mass. Perhaps his best performance of 1972 came in the Rothmans 50,000 race where he finished fourth in a Formula 2 car behind three Formula 1 cars. He also claimed the Springbok Series that year.

For 1973 Gerry was again a Ford works touring car driver. In addition he also raced a Chevron in Formula 2. It was in the Chevron, at Rouen, that he was to lose his life. A puncture caused the car to leave the road. Any chance he may have had of surviving the accident was taken away by the poorly installed barriers. Scotland had lost its next great hope. For 1974 Gerry had been tipped to replace countryman Jackie Stewart at Tyrrell, partnering Francois Cevert. By the end of the year Cevert was also dead, leaving only thoughts of what might have been.

Gerry Birrell is fondly remembered by fans and competitors alike. His reputation as a development driver is evident in the Ford RS2000, for which he did much of the testing. He left a wife and twin daughters.

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