Murray Walker OBE RIP

[Gecko1978]

I watched the touring car clip made me wonder is touring cars a thing still. In the 90s I recall volvi, audi, vaxhall, nissan, Honda all selling saloons with loose links to the track machines and the BTCC being a big thing in TV

[Eric Mc]

It's covered extensively by ITV and it probably has the second biggest following of motor car racing in the UK after F1.

Having said that, it doesn't have the profile it once had. I always hold the view that once a sport leaves the BBC, it is going to slip down the "profile" stakes as the audience undoubtedly diminishes.

[Digga]

In the day, his excited pronunciation of "Nigel Mansell in the Ferrari!" was unforgettable. Mangled the last word into "Ferr-rarr-ray!".

[R56Cooper]

jonny142 said:

What a life he'd had. From serving the country in WW11 in a tank at the Battle of the Bulge nr Spa then going back years later talking about cars wizzing around a track .. some things don't compute with me with the two .. Thanks Murray for all you did ! .

RIP Sir

[Eric Mc]

R56Cooper said:

jonny142 said:

What a life he'd had. From serving the country in WW11 in a tank at the Battle of the Bulge nr Spa then going back years later talking about cars wizzing around a track .. some things don't compute with me with the two .. Thanks Murray for all you did ! .

RIP Sir

World War Eleven?

[Digga]

Eric Mc said:

R56Cooper said:

jonny142 said:

What a life he'd had. From serving the country in WW11 in a tank at the Battle of the Bulge nr Spa then going back years later talking about cars wizzing around a track .. some things don't compute with me with the two .. Thanks Murray for all you did ! .

RIP Sir

World War Eleven?

Is that one the Merkins didn't win?

[Halmyre]

R56Cooper said:

jonny142 said:

What a life he'd had. From serving the country in WW11 in a tank at the Battle of the Bulge nr Spa then going back years later talking about cars wizzing around a track .. some things don't compute with me with the two .. Thanks Murray for all you did ! .

RIP Sir

Murray: "And here come the Germans!! In a Jaguar!"
Driver: "It's a Tiger, Murray"

[SpudLink]

Eric Mc said:

It's covered extensively by ITV and it probably has the second biggest following of motor car racing in the UK after F1.

Having said that, it doesn't have the profile it once had. I always hold the view that once a sport leaves the BBC, it is going to slip down the "profile" stakes as the audience undoubtedly diminishes.

ITV4 has about 6 hours of live coverage on the Sunday of every BTCC meeting. Also has highlights on the main ITV channel at times when no one is watching. You sort of have to look for it.
BTCC does it’s best to turn motorsport into entertainment for the masses, but even so you have to go out of your way to find it.

[Eric Mc]

And that is the TV/Internet landscape we live in today. There is lots of stuff to see out there - you just have to work a bit to find it.

We have more and more people watching less and less as there are now hundreds, if not thousands, of outlets.

[R56Cooper]

Halmyre said:

R56Cooper said:

jonny142 said:

What a life he'd had. From serving the country in WW11 in a tank at the Battle of the Bulge nr Spa then going back years later talking about cars wizzing around a track .. some things don't compute with me with the two .. Thanks Murray for all you did ! .

RIP Sir

Murray: "And here come the Germans!! In a Jaguar!"
Driver: "It's a Tiger, Murray"

Ha!

[cuprabob]

Just watched Ted's Notebook and while interviewing Lando Norris, Ted makes reference to Murray's commentary and growing up listening to it and to cut a long story short, Lando was 2 when Murray retired.. Made me feel really old

[WhiteBaron]

Lester H said:

A great loss to motor sport. He once made a spoof video of 1970s family cars towing caravans round a twisty track. Things like Victor101, Hillman Super Minx, Austin Cambridge etc...all unexceptional. The commentary was in his trademark ‘trousers on fire’ style. It was fabulous . and I think done for charity. I wonder if copies still exist?

It may or may not have been a spoof. Caravan rallies got quite big in the 70's . Road rallies with technical driving tests whilst towing a 'van.

Rip Murray - voice of my child hood

[zeb]

The end of an era for many of us. Thank you Murray, thank you....

[105.4]

zeb said:

The end of an era for many of us. Thank you Murray, thank you....

[Chrisgr31]

Eric Mc said:

And that is the TV/Internet landscape we live in today. There is lots of stuff to see out there - you just have to work a bit to find it.

We have more and more people watching less and less as there are now hundreds, if not thousands, of outlets.

The problem is viewers only have a certain amount of time to watch TV. I used to watch all the F1 live and the BTCC on the BBC. I used to go to several BTCC races a year in the 1990's and an F1 race. Now days I am happy watching the f1 highlights from Cannel 4, and going to Le As. I dont have the time to go to over races, nor to watch several hours of BTCC on TV if I can find it.

Can you imagine Lewis driving in BTCC like Nigel Mansell did on 2 occasions?

On topic it has been wonderful seeing the clips of Murray Walker RIP

[Eric Mc]

The viewers have the same time they always had - but their attention is spread across thousands of outlets, rather than three or four.

[Maldini35]

Halmyre said:

R56Cooper said:

jonny142 said:

What a life he'd had. From serving the country in WW11 in a tank at the Battle of the Bulge nr Spa then going back years later talking about cars wizzing around a track .. some things don't compute with me with the two .. Thanks Murray for all you did ! .

RIP Sir

Murray: "And here come the Germans!! In a Jaguar!"
Driver: "It's a Tiger, Murray"

Or was it a Jagdpather?

[the tribester]

A short tribute before Teds Notebook.

https://youtu.be/tABtHEqQggM

[Chris C2]

Bernie - you need to open your wallet or twist a few arms and get Murray a permanent memorial....

[Digga]

Chris C2 said:

Bernie - you need to open your wallet or twist a few arms and get Murray a permanent memorial....

Actually a good call. I think it would be apt.

Murray did love a good British driver, but he was barely less enthusiastic about drivers of any nationality. He loved the sport and pretty much the entire grid. He promoted them and their sport immeasureably.