Posts by: National Social Media

Motorsport is go……!

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On 23 March it was one year since the first U.K. lockdown for COVID-19.  Since then millions of people have been bereaved, both as a result of the virus and due to other causes.  The restrictions we’ve been living under have meant that many people have had to grieve without the comfort of having friends and family around them.  Marie Curie, supported by many other organisations, organised a National Day of Reflection to acknowledge grief and loss over the last year.  A time to reflective on our collective loss, support those who’ve been bereaved and hope for a brighter future.

As the restrictions start to lift so we have the go ahead to start motorsport in England from 29 March ( https://www.motorsportuk.org/covid-19/) and hopefully the devolved powers will follow soon.  We start this season as we finished the last season – with limited numbers on post and maintaining social distance.  However as long as the country continues on its roadmap out of lockdown we should be able to invite trainees back to events from May and restart assessments too.  This is great news for everyone who just needs their last few signatures or assessment to upgrade.  Please ensure you book your assessments with the Chief marshal when the time is right so that they can ensure you are allocated to an Examining grade marshal.

We are looking at how and when we can restart taster days whilst remaining compliant and may have to make a few adaptations to enable these to continue going forward too.

Hopefully you were able to join a training session on Zoom – the NW region ran a series of refresher Webinars and other regions have been able to run smaller Zoom sessions.  There will be other sessions being offered over the rest of the season and we may have the opportunity to have some face-to-face events later in the year as well.  Fingers crossed!

Thanks to Ben Edwards for his time on the Natter and Noggin on Tuesday night.  I hope some of you were able to join and hear how he started out into his commentating career and thoughts on the year ahead.  Good luck with your own racing Ben!

Thanks also to our ambassadors and supporters who have been sending messages of support.  You can view them all here on our YouTube channel:   https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzHb_BsGhaNI4TL5XD2C8Uw/videos

Finally… if you are out and about this weekend please remember – hands, face, space…. but most of all enjoy and stay safe!

BMMC Chair Nadine Lewis pays tribute to former BMMC President Murray Walker OBE

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Murray Walker OBE (1923 – 2021)

BMMC Club President (1978 – 1998)

Current BMMC Chair Nadine Lewis’ earliest childhood memories are of watching Formula One on a Sunday afternoon with her Dad from the iconic first notes of the BBC theme tune, to the roar of the engines……to the unmistakable voice of Murray Walker.

Murray’s commentating career started at Shelsley Walsh in 1948 and spanned a number of decades and motorsport genres – Hillclimbs, Touring Cars and of course Formula 1 on the BBC and ITV.  His commentating style was infectious as well as knowledgeable and included the occasional faux pas which made him endearing.

Murray became our Club President in 1978 when Lord Hesketh dropped out of motor racing.  When he took on the role he felt he needed to find out more and attended many training sessions, getting involved and genuinely taking an interest in our contribution.  

He was honoured to be our President and was always keen to point out whenever he could that without the marshals the sport would not exist.  He would emphasise how vital our role is and how the multi-million pound drivers couldn’t earn a penny if it wasn’t for our bravery, skill and dedication.

In 1996 my parents met Murray and Martin Brundle in the lobby of a hotel heading to breakfast on the morning of the Canadian Grand Prix.  It had just been announced that he had been awarded the OBE.  Humble and self-effacing as ever he quickly turned the conversation from himself to the upcoming race.

Murray continued to be our President until he retired from full time commentating.  Though he continued to show an interest in the club and even wrote us a letter on the occasion of our Diamond anniversary in 2017 (https://www.marshals.co.uk/blog/murray-walker-says-congratulations/)

Current President Ben Edwards remembers: “Like so many of us, I grew up listening to Murray’s commentary on motorsport across the board, from F1 to rallycross and his exceptional BTCC highlights programmes. His enthusiasm was dynamic and shone through in his voice, yet he had the ability to slow it all down and reinforce some of the key elements of what we were watching before lighting it up once again to make sure we hadn’t disengaged. 

“I met him when I started commentating for Eurosport on F1 in 1995 and sometimes we would be in neighbouring commentary booths at the track. He was welcoming and friendly, and I remember being amazed at the level of paperwork he would stick on the walls around him to have key references visible. He encouraged me at various times in my career, saying some kind words which gave me a sense that I was following the right path. 

“One of my most special memories was commentating at Silverstone at the British Grand Prix when I was with the BBC, and he joined me in the booth on-air to talk about both the present and the past. He had a razor sharp mind, despite the Murrayisms that became so famous, and I feel so honoured to have known him.”

Murray – we will miss your effervescent and enthusiastic commentary, your knowledge and your dedication.  We thank you for your long stint as our Club President – a true gentleman, legend and friend.

And in his own words “I’ve got to stop because I’ve got a lump in my throat” #RIPMurrayWalker