Raymond Baxter

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robbiemeister

Original Poster:

1,307 posts

271 months

Friday 15th September 2006
quotequote all
September 15th 2006

Former BBC motor racing commentator Raymond Baxter, who preceded Murray Walker in covering Formula One, has died at the age of 84.

A World War II fighter pilot and accomplished rally driver, Baxter commentated on various events for BBC radio and television after the war, including F1 races, the Le Mans 24 Hours and rallying.

He also appeared, uncredited, in John Frankenheimer's movie Grand Prix as a BBC interviewer.

As well as his motorsport commitments, he famously covered the funerals of Sir Winston Churchill and King George VI for the BBC. He achieved most fame, however, by being the first presenter of BBC's Tomorrow's World programme.

Outside of his BBC work, Baxter was briefly director of motor publicity for the British Motor Corporation from 1967 to 1968. He was made an honorary Freeman of the City of London in 1978 and awarded an OBE in 2003.

Andrew Noakes

914 posts

241 months

Friday 15th September 2006
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He was priceless.

Eric Mc

122,072 posts

266 months

Friday 15th September 2006
quotequote all
Very sad news. He was a real TV hero of mine - and still miles better than any of his successors.

Class, precision, accuracy and quality are all words I would use in regards to his commentaries.

Now we have James Allen

JonRB

74,617 posts

273 months

Friday 15th September 2006
quotequote all
That's a real shame. I only mentioned him a thread a few weeks ago and described him as "alive and well".

kevin ritson

3,423 posts

228 months

Friday 15th September 2006
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Thought it was his voice interviewing 'Barlini' at the end of the British GP in the film.

Apparently he was admitted to hospital the day after the Goodwood Revival - I guess that's as good as any for his final broadcast.

Eric Mc

122,072 posts

266 months

Friday 15th September 2006
quotequote all
Yep, he makes an appearance on the podium in the "Nritish GP" in the 1966 film.

If you read his biography, you will find that he is not to complimentary to the film.