I also spoke with him in the car park at Goodwood many years ago. He was very personable on a non-Motorsport level, and fondly reminisced about the enjoyable time he spent in my adopted hometown of San Diego many a decade ago.
Tweet— Twitter API (@user) date Murray commenting on a big of Snooker....brilliant! Been reading some Murray-isms and now have a tear in my eye...
I met Murray a couple of times, but the best one was at Goodwood in 2011. We were there for the first time, and were at the Veuve Cliquot tent basically to try and stay out of the drizzle. My wife did not want to wear a coat so she was cold, and getting wet! so after about 15- 20 min the rain stopped and the sun came out. so we moved outside next to the airfield ramp where a number of older planes - and a wwII Hurricane was parked. in the distance I noticed Murray Walker talking with a TV crew, and we ( me ) yelled - Murray, Hi we're Americans... and waved.... so he waved back, and then said something to the crew and came walking over towards us. How do you know who I am? I said you're a legend, and he just kind of blushed and greeted all of us, we talked for about half an hour - meanwhile a huge crowd gathered behind us... he was such a nice guy,I asked if he was going to get out and ride a bike - he says " Oh, Freddy is after me all the time" Meaning Lord March... He clearly was F-1 in the late 70's to 2000's... and really knew what he was talking about. Plus he was just a nice guy. they don't make them like that any more.
That's so cool! Even though he was 97 years old, I feel like he was taken away to soon. This man truly was larger than life. Someone else said this and I fully agree with it: "Murray was so passionate about anything motorized on wheels, the way he would talk to others about it got them interested too!"
One of the greats. I love that he commented on BTCC and other series with just as much emotion as F1. Legend.
Like countless others I enjoyed his passionate comments countless times when I lived and raced at lower levels in the UK 86-89. Then in 2013 I attended the IHMA International Historic Motoring Awards in London in this huge Victorian hotel because my most labor intensive book was nominated. I knew I would not win since the topic was too specialized but after years of hard work I wanted to experience some good vibes. Some celebrating. However that grand evening it wasn't the incredible grandness of the hotel, being in black tie like all others, admiring stunning ladies in fabulous gowns, meeting major collectors, publishers and editors - my relationship with Octane magazine started that evening- it wasn't the stunning model on stage, that wowed me. No none of that. It was the fact that at the very next round table sat two balding gents...the other one was called Stirling. THAT wowed me no end. RIP Sir, you may sit down now, Fangio would like a word.
I like to think that somewhere Murray and Yogi Berra are having a conversation that nobody else can understand.
https://www.facebook.com/100865096953196/posts/1323517874687906/ (Murray Walker driving a McLaren at Silverstone in 1983).
Faaaantastic! Seeing Murray with his mates and Hero's. Cant lie this brought a tear to my eye..met Murray in a Silverstone pit garage back around then. MW So this is your first F3 race? Taking notes with a clipboard. Yes ( thinking to myself wow its Murray Walker actually talking to me!) Total Legend.
RIP Mr. Walker. Condolences to the family and his loved ones. There will never be another commentator like him. He could make watching paint dry entertaining.