The name of Paddy Baker is synonymous with motorsport in Tasmania.

Mr Baker has had more than 35 years involvement in motorsport, mainly in an administrative capacity.

Until 1988, he was the promoter for the Symmons Plains International Raceway, near Launceston, and in 1996 was still the State secretary-manager for Tasmania of the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport (CAMS).

Originally from Ireland, Mr Baker started his involvement with motorsport in rallies with his father in the UK.

On moving to Tasmania in 1950, he resumed the sport, competing with Peter James.

Mr Baker raced a Morris Mini at Symmons Plains in the early 1960s, and in 1963 became the promoter of the circuit and secretary of CAMS in Tasmania two years later.

In the 1970s, when the CAMS position was restructured to include the duties of manager as an appointed position, CAMS had no hesitation in appointing Mr Baker to the post.

Over his many years involvement in motorsport, Mr Baker has overseen numerous improvements, particularly in the area of safety for competitors, spectators, and officials.

He has also been responsible for attracting major race meetings to Tasmania.

His crowning achievement has been the successful staging of a round of the Australian touring car championship at Symmons Plains every year since 1969.

Now recognised as one of the best rounds in the series and Tasmania’s major one-day sporting event and major circuit racing event of the year.

 In 1989 Mr Baker was awarded a service to sport award by the Tasmanian division of the Sportsmen’s Association of Australia.

He is also a founding member of the board of directors of the Tasmanian Motorsport Hall of Fame and its current treasurer.