Murray Walker OBE RIP
Discussion
He was being interviewed, maybe even commentating on a race, on the circuit tannoy at a Silverstone Classic a few years ago, watching classic racing cars and hearing Murray Walker was very nostalgic. His enthusiasm combined with not being irritating after a few minutes was a rare combination.
A sad loss even for someone that never met him
I always put him on part with someone like Fred Dibnah, absolute legends both of them
Murray was the only reason watching motorsport on TV was interesting when F1 became mundane
I bet he'd even light a fire under formula E and get people into it if he were commentating
I always put him on part with someone like Fred Dibnah, absolute legends both of them
Murray was the only reason watching motorsport on TV was interesting when F1 became mundane
I bet he'd even light a fire under formula E and get people into it if he were commentating
Mrs and I arrived at Goodwood FOS one morning, about 10 or 15 years back and happened to be following him in, a few paces behind. It was incredible to see how the public greeted him. It’s extremely rare for someone so famous to be so universally loved and respected and to be able to walk among the public. He was the motor racing fan’s fan.
His commentary was motorsport to me.
My dog is named after him.
His commentary was motorsport to me.
My dog is named after him.
Digga said:
Mrs and I arrived at Goodwood FOS one morning, about 10 or 15 years back and happened to be following him in, a few paces behind. It was incredible to see how the public greeted him. It’s extremely rare for someone so famous to be so universally loved and respected and to be able to walk among the public. He was the motor racing fan’s fan.
His commentary was motorsport to me.
My dog is named after him.
Walker or Murray?His commentary was motorsport to me.
My dog is named after him.
Murray was fabulous. His nasal twang and excitability was infectious and his encyclopedic knowledge of the sport second to none.
RIP.
Trophy Husband said:
Digga said:
Mrs and I arrived at Goodwood FOS one morning, about 10 or 15 years back and happened to be following him in, a few paces behind. It was incredible to see how the public greeted him. It’s extremely rare for someone so famous to be so universally loved and respected and to be able to walk among the public. He was the motor racing fan’s fan.
His commentary was motorsport to me.
My dog is named after him.
Walker or Murray?His commentary was motorsport to me.
My dog is named after him.
Murray was fabulous. His nasal twang and excitability was infectious and his encyclopedic knowledge of the sport second to none.
RIP.
We perused the bookshelves but there was perhaps also a subliminal message from the TV as we were (half) watching the rugby from Murrayfield at the time.
So yes, he’s called Murray and he likes walking.
His commentary was genuinely enthusiastic, not hyped screaming like some football commentators.
I really missed him when he retired from F1, especially when listening to that bloke who couldn't pronounce Vettel properly.
His autobiography is a great read. The F1 stuff is interesting, but the book also brought back happy memories of watching rallycross on Grandstand.
I really missed him when he retired from F1, especially when listening to that bloke who couldn't pronounce Vettel properly.
His autobiography is a great read. The F1 stuff is interesting, but the book also brought back happy memories of watching rallycross on Grandstand.
The mass media took the mick out of him, they knew nothing of the man, he was such a gent he took it on the chin and took the mick out of himself.
But his work ethic was second to none, the consummate professional, he could work the mike on anything and try his hardest to get it right.
he had time for anyone who asked, and I doubt many have a bad thing to say about him, he was a taskmaster by all accounts in the booth, but he was working, and he also had a successful career in the advertising industry where he achieved a very senior position.
His first love was bikes though, where his Dad was hugely quick and he loved the TT, but htink about it, he did everything, F1, 500cc GP, BTCC, rallying, rallycross, motocross in the early days while working still.
And he was very pro Brit, which the nimbies now dont do so much.
But his work ethic was second to none, the consummate professional, he could work the mike on anything and try his hardest to get it right.
he had time for anyone who asked, and I doubt many have a bad thing to say about him, he was a taskmaster by all accounts in the booth, but he was working, and he also had a successful career in the advertising industry where he achieved a very senior position.
His first love was bikes though, where his Dad was hugely quick and he loved the TT, but htink about it, he did everything, F1, 500cc GP, BTCC, rallying, rallycross, motocross in the early days while working still.
And he was very pro Brit, which the nimbies now dont do so much.
My son and I were both marshalling at a BTCC meeting at Brands in the nineties. He was chuffed to get the job of driving a Bradshaw golf buggy, ferrying people between the paddock and the pits. When we met up at lunchtime he said he had just nearly run over Murray Walker. His excuse - he didn’t get out of the way as quickly as he thought he would. I told him that’s probably because he’s just had a hip replacement. His survival to 97 is fortuitous.
RIP
RIP
Incredible race BTCC scrap between Toyota, Vauxhall & BMW.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzxLgAwfeIQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzxLgAwfeIQ
the tribester said:
Even more incredible is this is page 7 of a PH thread where everyone has made the same positive comment.
Most have never met him, he's also been off our screens for a while now, but his voice was there as we grew up or enjoyed our love of motor sport and he'll be missed.
RIP Murray.
I was about to post the same, shows how he was loved universallyMost have never met him, he's also been off our screens for a while now, but his voice was there as we grew up or enjoyed our love of motor sport and he'll be missed.
RIP Murray.
RIP Murray
ClaphamGT3 said:
moffspeed said:
Not forgetting that his dad Graham Walker preceded him as a BBC commentator after his motorcycle racing career was over. Murray was a handy trials rider himself.
Murray had a very successful career in advertising before F1 - "Opal Fruits - made to make your mouth water" was one of his contributions to TV adverts in the 1970s.
RPI, oops, RIP.
People often forget that his commentary and journalism was only a hobby/retirement job. As well as years on the board of Masius he was also a veteran of the second world war having served as a tank commander in the Scots Greys.Murray had a very successful career in advertising before F1 - "Opal Fruits - made to make your mouth water" was one of his contributions to TV adverts in the 1970s.
RPI, oops, RIP.
RIP Murray - we need more like you.
Murray in 1932.
Sf_Manta said:
Had the honor of meeting Murray at a rallycross meeting some years ago at Lydden hill
Absolute gentleman and had a good chat about Formulat Student, which he hadn't heard about.
RIP Murray, your voice raised many generations of motorsport fans.
Me too, and he was just as enthusiastic about that as he was about F1. Brilliant man.Absolute gentleman and had a good chat about Formulat Student, which he hadn't heard about.
RIP Murray, your voice raised many generations of motorsport fans.
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