Murray Walker

I have been dreading the day I read this. We all have a lump in our throats. A true Motorsport Legend has gone. I met and spoke to him at Lydden Hill in 2009 where he was commentating on the European Rallycross event there. I bought one of his books which he wonderfully signed. It was a great pleasure. F1 and other motorsports will not be the same without him.

I'm very sorry to see you GO, GO, GO! R.I.P Murray.
 
I forgot to mention this yesterday but over the last few years I’ve seen a few programs about Murray and what struck me was that every single driver (past and present) all respected the man. In one documentary, he’d been retired for a while but still ventured to some GPs and this particular one all the drivers were pleased to see him and wanted to talk to him. That speaks volumes:)
As someone said (cannot remember if was here or somewhere else), his commentary was led by passion, not opinion. That automatically leads to an amazing personality and presence on the track IMO.

All he was interested in was the driver good or bad and inspiring his listeners without taking sides.

He was unique and can never, ever be replaced.

Sure we haven't heard a commentary for years, but, I'm devastated that all we have now is him from the past.

RIP Murray, RIP.
 
I got into watching F1 in the mid 80's, races were never boring when Murray commentated. His enthusiasm for the sport was second to none and it hasn't been the same since he retired.

RIP a true legend.
 
Murray occasionally suffered from the common commentator's affliction, probaly as serious as anybody's, that of failing to engage his brain before opening his mouth.

But with him, it was always part of the entertainment, in contrast to people like Brendan Foster where it was often an irritation.
Unlike Foster, he will be missed.
 
Murray occasionally suffered from the common commentator's affliction, probaly as serious as anybody's, that of failing to engage his brain before opening his mouth.

But with him, it was always part of the entertainment, in contrast to people like Brendan Foster where it was often an irritation.
Unlike Foster, he will be missed.
The thing is, his faux pas' were done in a time of very little technical help.

I'll take 10 of Murray's mistakes over one of Crofty's POS efforts.
 
Doesn't appear on the listings or my EPG yet (currently Bates Motel), but as a tribute, this great doc is being repeated on Tuesday at 10.45pm on BBC1.
As Murray Walker celebrates his 95th birthday, this is an intimate portrait of a sports commentator who became a national treasure thanks to his enthusiasm, knowledge and his excitable dramatic voice, which defined a golden era of Formula 1 motor racing. It is also an inspiring and heartwarming tale of a man who came to sports broadcasting late, but until recently was still working well into his nineties.

Murray relives his early days as a tank commander and as an advertising executive. He gives an insight into his life and extraordinary career in the fast lane involving some of the greatest ever moments in Formula 1 history. Tales of his charismatic personality and some of Murray's famous bloopers for which he is fondly known are included.

Universally loved by all, there are contributions from the great and good of the sport including Nigel Mansell, Damon Hill, Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button, Fernando Alonso, Eddie Jordan, David Coulthard and Martin Brundle, plus broadcasters Steve Rider, Des Lynam, Suzi Perry, Jake Humphrey and Chris Evans.
 
I’ve also just remembered that in the early days of his commentating, he still had a ‘proper job’ and used to do the BBC stuff in addition to this. It’s amazing how a few beers and bourbons stimulate my memory ;)
 
Doesn't appear on the listings or my EPG yet (currently Bates Motel), but as a tribute, this great doc is being repeated on Tuesday at 10.45pm on BBC1.

I think it may be the repeat of one shown not that long ago, or will include much of it.
 
Doesn't appear on the listings or my EPG yet (currently Bates Motel), but as a tribute, this great doc is being repeated on Tuesday at 10.45pm on BBC1.
This is now on the listings/EPGs for tomorrow night, but is also streaming right now for a month on iPlayer @
 
It’s not showing up on the Virgin planner yet, I’ll keep an eye out tomorrow for it. Cheers for the heads-up.
 
A few more to read here. Hope you don’t think I’m being disrespectful but these things were all part of the Murray charm - true professional who really knew his stuff but got a bit excited at times :) That’s what makes a great commentator for me.

"Frentzen is taking, er, reducing that gap between himself and Frentzen."

"This has been a great season for Nelson Piquet, as he is now known, and always has been."

"It's lap 26 of 58, which unless I'm very much mistaken is half way."
"I'm ready to stop my start watch."

"Only a few more laps to go and then the action will begin. Unless this is the action, which it is!"

"I can't imagine what kind of problem Senna has. I imagine it must be some sort of grip problem."

"He's obviously gone in for a pit stop. I say obviously, because I cannot see anything."

"And the first three cars are all Escorts, which isn't surprising as this is an all Escort race."

"He is exactly 10 seconds ahead, or more approximately, 9.86 seconds."

"Look up there! That's the sky!"

"There's nothing wrong with his car except that it's on fire."

"I don't want to tempt fate but Damon Hill is now only half a lap from his first Grand Prix win and… and HE'S SLOWING DOWN, DAMON HILL IS SLOWING DOWN… HE'S... HE'S STOPPED!"

"As you look at the first four, the significant thing is that Alboreto is fifth."

"He's the only man on the track, except for his car."

"You might think that's not cricket, and it's not. It's motor racing."

"And Michael Schumacher is actually in a very good position. He is in last place."
It's not very often you can read a thread on here and genuinely laugh out loud and that's a reflection on how well loved Murray is.
The Voice of F1 RIP.
 
Murray Walker RIP 97
Grew up Listening to Murray like everyone else on here.
He had a Passion for Motor Sport and it Made him a Family Name in the Industry.
Everyone I know loved to hear his Commentary's , He Made the Sport Shine.
All the Best to a Legend ,He will be Missed and Hard to Replace.
 
Fair to call him a one off. He came across as a thoroughly decent human being.

Fleetwood Mac The Chain, James Hunt, Murray Walker. All tremendous memories.
 
There can't be too many commentators who can attract people to a sport the way Murray did. I am not into cars, never was. I have only the vaguest idea how mine works and mostly couldn't care less so long as it does. Yet Murray with his exuberance used to have me getting up at silly o'clock to watch Grand Prix. Even though I had no understanding of what made this car better than that, his enthusiasm was enough for one to just enjoy an exciting race with no further need to comprehend the finer points. And his verbal faux pas were the icing on the cake. There were times I cried tears of laughter.

My favourite - although I have no idea why this one - is

There are seven Monaco Grand Prix winners on the starting grid today, and four of them are Michael Schumacher.
 

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