Friday 22nd April 2005

Gerry Marshall dies at Silverstone

A flamboyant driver and great human being has left us

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Gerry Marshall, 1941-2005

Many in the motorsport world are today grieving over the death of Gerry Marshall, of one of the sport's most flamboyant drivers.

Old Nail in action, 1971

Old Nail in retirement

He died of a fatal heart attack at the wheel of a Camaro at Silverstone. He's been described as "a wonderful driver who was "a personal inspiration and a great raconteur with an excellent sense of humour and a generous spirit."

Born 16 November 1941, he was a British saloon car racing driver, considered by many to be one of the best drivers of all time, according to a recent magazine poll. His professional driving career spanned four decades, in 2000 chalking up his 600th win in a race at Snetterton, Norfolk in an Aston Martin DB4. His first win was in 1964, driving a Mini.

However, he is probably best remembered for his flamboyant and crowd-pleasing style during the 1970s driving for Dealer Team Vauxhall in the racing Firenzas "Old Nail" and "Baby Bertha", and also the ill-fated V8 Holden-Repco Ventora, "Big Bertha".

He also won the 1971 Escort Mexico championship, driving for the same team as the equally respected rally driver Roger Clarke. Marshall's style has been described as "sideways, on-the-edge cornering style that was to distinguish his driving in any car, large or small, front or rear drive.” This outward appearance belied an extraordinary cool-headed ability and intelligence behind the wheel. His biography, published in 1978, is titled Only Here For The Beer.

Our sympathies go to his family and his many, many friends.

• About Gerry

[unrepentant]

Very sad news.

Gerry was a genuine character and one of the most entertaining drivers ever to get behind the wheel. I have spent many enjoyable days at Brands Hatch and Silverstone watching Gerry drive a variety of machinery sideways through every corner.

Whatever he was driving, be it Vauxhall or (someone else's ) Aston Martin Gerry always seemed to believe that it wasn't enough just to win, you needed to have a good time doing it and to entertain the crowd as well. A great philosophy.

RIP big man.