Prahran’s fastest plumber, Aussie racing stalwart Bob Gill has passed away today. 

Bob fought hard to have Sports Sedan racing recognised as its own CAMS-sanctioned category in 1973, and served an active role in administration, driver training and CAMS licensing alongside names like Harvey and Brock.

He steered an impressive list of cars over his near 60-year racing career, starting with an Elfin Aero, though most of his cars (even the GM-bodied ones) packed power from his beloved small-block Fords.

His 13-year tenure racing the ex-Ian ‘Pete’ Geoghegan ’67 Mustang earned him the nickname ‘Spinner,’ though if you asked Bob, he’d tell you his wipeouts were (generally) an intentional form of entertainment for spectators and flaggies. 

Bob’s first Victorian Sports Sedan championship win came in 2013, campaigning his ex-Stone Brothers Racing Supercars BF Falcon to top spot. That car has just been refreshed and repainted under Francois Habib’s ownership, and will be racing again soon.

Those lucky enough to have visited Bob’s unassuming Dandenong workshop were greeted with a huge and storied collection of era-spanning cars and racing gear, from tube-frame Fox-body Mustangs to iconic V8 Supercars bodykits and even a wild Le Mans-veteran Lola T610. 

Bob led a varied and colourful life outside of racing. He played a handful of senior VFL games for Richmond, was a councillor and the last mayor of Prahran, and owned a variety of businesses beyond his original plumbing trade.  

In my all-too-brief catch-ups with Bob over the last couple of years, he certainly lived up to his reputation as a straight talker and a captivating storyteller.  

We extend our sincere condolences to Bob’s partner, Bec and his family and friends. A celebration of Bob’s life will be held at the Springvale Botanical Cemetary’s Boyd Chapel at 2:30pm on May 1.