RE: Gerry Marshall dies at Silverstone

[heightswitch]

Words cannot describe how I feel at this sad loss.

Anyone who has had the immense pleasure of seeing the Big Man drive knows he was the best racing driver ever to have sat in a car.

I had the great privelidge of meeting Gerry at Brands in August 03 where he was a guest at a Formula Saloons race and did some demonstration laps in Baby bertha. Even cruising he lapped close to race speed. Gerry presented me with a print of Bertha and James Thompsons Astra entitled "Two Vauxhalls" my dad took a picture of the event and I have it framed in my office.

Gerry is the reason behind me moving into classic sports car racing. I shall treasure my Memories of a true competitor. A big man with a big spirit and ability unmatched by anyone else.

My condolencies go out to all of his family. There will never be another like Gerry.

Neil Russell.

[bizzarini]

Probably the very best.........
Remember a Club 96 Track Day at the GP Circuit Brands.My brother and I had taken our Metro 6R4 and a newly aquired Nissan 240RS Evolution of which we were extremely proud ( Ex Louise Aitken Walker ).The Nissan was a bit wayward on the bends.Asked Gerry to take it out to see why the handling was so odd.
He came back in after a couple of laps,threw me the keys
'Bag of sh*t,Michael'

[happy snapper]

mybrainhurts said:

Bugger....

I think thats what Gerry would have said!!!
Sad loss of a great man

[riceturbo]

One of the saddest losses to genuine motor racing, a true racer and showman who had little time for the "jobs worth" rule makers. The bar was definitely the place to be when big G had had a good days racing. At least he has gone in a fitting way, at the wheel of a true gruntmobile. At least I have a signed copy of "Only Here For The Beer" a small reminder of a great racer and character.

[mike brewer]

very sad great driver ,i owned a turbo esprit that gerry owned and raced in the early eighties felt very proud knowing it once belonged to the great man himself .

[raa247]

A great character who will be sadly missed.

I have to pick and choose which race meetings I get to these days, and an AMOC meet with Gerry entered was always one, It won't be the same now.

CHEERS!

RAA

[Beaulieu]

Having known him for 45+ years, yesterday's news was a shock, we had planned to drive up to Silverstone together today where he was to have tested the Marsh Plant DB4 Aston.

All I can say is farewell to a great friend and copy a table from MotorSport earlier this year which confirms his place in motoring history, if confirmation was needed.

He also won the first Dubai Grand Prix for Geoffrey Marsh.

The Top 20 Touring Car Drivers of All-Time
( ‘Motor Sport’ Magazine)
1. Steve Soper (UK)
2. Peter Brock (AUS)
3. Andy Rouse (UK)
4. Alain Menu (SWI)
5. Bernd Schneider (GER)
6. Frank Gardner (AUS)
7. Roberto Ravaglia (ITA)
8. Gerry Marshall (UK)
9. Jim Clark (UK)
10. John Cleland (UK)
11. Gabriele Tarquini (ITA)
12. Klaus Ludwig (GER)
13. Laurent Aiello (FRA)
14. Dieter Quester (GER)
15. Hans Stuck Jnr (GER)
16. Joachim Winkelhock (GER)
17. Jack Sears (UK)
18. Rickard Rydell (SWE)
19. Frank Biela (GER)
=20. Brian Muir (AUS)
=20. Nicola Larini
UK magazine ‘Motor Sport’, FEB, 2005

[gobber]

Gerry was a true icon of Brit motorsport. I first saw him racing in the 70's (when racing was racing!) in the Firenza and beating the then all-conquering twin-cam and BDA escorts. To actually see and talk to him nearly 30 years later at the 2003 Festival of Speed was just unbelievable. The saloon guys from that era (Gerry, Frank Gardner, Brian Muir, Dave Brodie etc) were my heros. This is a sad day but to "go out" in a Camaro at Siverstone - well that is just pure class !

[ToneTheBone]

So sorry you've gone Gerry. Only he would remember his name was not Ernie !! I remember many races together 1968 to 1974 both on the track and in the Bar !! One stands out in the early days of Group 5 at Thruxton, me in my road going Mini, when we swapped tapes on the line..(CD's hadn't been invented then) After which Gerry downed the dregs of a pint of beer perched on the roof of his car. (later banned by the RAC Steward, bad influence), and amused the crowd with strains of Hair (Age of Aquarius) and other music as we negotiated the chicane. Him in front .. of course .. R.I.P. Gerry.. Tony Pearce.

[telecat]

I saw the Firenza outside WASS and loved it. I saw Gerry driving them(in Old nail and Baby Bertha form), and loved it. The man NEVER disappointed. He always gave it his all and more. One of the few people I really admired. Now driving forever. Bye Gerry.

[mole]

Farewell to another hero and thanks for the memories.[/quote]

The memory of Gerry giving that well known Gerry Marshall "hand signal" as he nipped past Shorty in a Griffiths at the Castle Combe chicane, whilst I was a passenger in a Cerbera, and the ensuing 'red mist' full lap of Castle Combe until Martin just managed to get the Cerbera back in front of Gerry.

What a character.

Mrs Mole

>> Edited by mole on Saturday 23 April 12:02

[Silver fox 223]

Now here is a name from my past, how sad Gerry has passed on. I remember cheering him on at Oulton Park back in my teens.

RIP Gerry, a legend amongst legends.

[rustybin]

Anyone who lives a life that leaves so many people happier than they would otherwise have been has had a good one.

They won't be able to hear the harps anymore for the rumble of a big V8.

Cheers big man, I'll be raising one to you tonight.

[TT Tim]

64 is no age - there is no justice!

I have seen Gerry race many times and he was a legend, a colourful and entertaining character both on and off the circuit.

A very sad loss - condolences to all.

Tim

[big rumbly]

I always remember him chomping on a big cigar, I just have so many fond memories of this great guy, and what a driver to have the preivelge of watching RIP

[Segal]

Oh Gerry, what a way to go... I do hope you had a party on the Friday with Dad for his birthday! Thank you for always speaking so highly of him...

A huge loss...You will be greatly missed...
xx

[MugenCTR]

Friday was a very sad day as it lost a motor-racing legend, as a youngster I don’t really know as much about the great man as many of you guys on here but as an avid Goodwood Festival/Revival fan it was not hard to know that he was a very well respected Gentleman and a bloody good driver. I remember getting his autograph in September and thinking what a smashing chap!

Gerry you will be dearly missed!

Nick

[firenzaman]

Very sad news - but great that he died doing what he loved. Gerry and I shared a Firenza togther in Thundersaloons in the mid 1980's. At Snetterton we led the class and Gerry had a "robust" tussle with David Lesley's Opel Manta which involved the Firenza getting ahead, and the Manta taking to the grass. Now - the chat in the bar afterwards is something that I really wish I had videoed!! John Cleland was there too - and everyone (including David) ended up rolling around laughing with the Big Man. What a great bloke! We will all miss ya Gerry!

Tony Davies

[Melv]

Flaggd the sad news up with some pals of mine and got this by return:

"Had the good fortune to meet Gerry on several times back in the 80's, charming man, always more than willing to talk and give good advice.

On one such occurance Gerry had given certain advice on how best to approach one of the bends at
Silverstone.

Our paths crossed out on the circuit a little
later, at that particular bend...pouring rain, Gerry totally sideways and in perfect control and giving me the 'thumbs up'at the same time...brilliant!

Great guy...and what a way to go."

[Gregor Marshall]

My sisters (Tina and Justine) and I would like to say thank you to all of you for all your kind words and stories above.
My dad would be very embarassed but he would also be extremely honoured and pleased that he had given you so much enjoyment, pleasure and fear!!
Please keep posting items and if any of you would like to pass on any messages directly, my e-mail address is [e-mail].

Many thanks again and I can assure you that he went how he would have wanted, sideways in a hairy powerful car.