Raymond Baxter has died
#1
Posted 15 September 2006 - 16:13
I always enjoyed his commentaries.
RIP Raymond
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#2
Posted 15 September 2006 - 16:18
I remember him most fondly as a commentator , and indeed competitor on rallies in the 50s, on motor racing events especially in the 50s, 60s, and 70s.
As a WW2 Spitfire pilot himself he also hosted air shows for many years. A well spoken and excellent commentator on everything he did he will be greatly missed. He commentated on the present Queens coronation, Winston Churchill's funeral and the first flight of Concorde.
Sad news indeed.
http://en.wikipedia..../Raymond_Baxter
http://www.signed-bo...of_My_Life.html
#3
Posted 15 September 2006 - 16:30
#4
Posted 15 September 2006 - 16:48
But of course, Baxter's work will live on much longer than the man himself.
RIP
#5
Posted 15 September 2006 - 16:48
#6
Posted 15 September 2006 - 16:50
The new that he has in fact passed away is sad ... his commenary style was classic BBC, calm, understated, but immensely deep in background. As a lad, I was an avid watcher of "Tomorrow's World", and also remember watching the live coverage of Concorde's first flight - for all of his enthusiasm for motoring matters, his deep passion for aviation always shone through.
RIP, Raymond, have a beer in the Officers Mess with Ray Hanna when you pass the Pearly Gates. Now that would be a conversation to hear ....
#7
Posted 15 September 2006 - 16:51
Fly well, sir ... and thank you.
DCN
#8
Posted 15 September 2006 - 16:53
#9
Posted 15 September 2006 - 16:54
Goodbye and thank you. RIP
#10
Posted 15 September 2006 - 17:04
R.I.P Raymond
#11
Posted 15 September 2006 - 17:23
I think the situation deteriorated after advertising on the cars was allowed in 1968? Can't remember the last time a race was shown live on the BBC.Maybe the last GP before ITV won the contract?Originally posted by Paul Parker
I too recall the varied motor sport that appeared on British TV during the early 1960s including the Rest and Be Thankful hillclimb in Scotland.
However as Humphries says the continental coverage (Monaco, Zandvoort, Le Mans and Monza I remember were the races most usually shown) was fragmented and often not even concluded whilst the British GP was little better.
The situation deteriorated exponentially after we won the 1966 World Cup and it took many years before motor sport was taken even half seriously again by the broadcast media.
Todays tabloid headline-TV licence to go up £30 Where do I join a protest group?
Maybe the Raymond Baxter Memorial Trophy for GP Masters?
#12
Posted 15 September 2006 - 17:25
Thanks for the memories Raymond - historians will be kind to you!
Justin
#13
Posted 15 September 2006 - 17:57
This year, as ever, Raymond's informed, in-depth and respectful commentry for the flying displays at Goodwood raised the hairs on the back of my neck, truly emotional moments.
Gods Speed Raymond.
DCN, perhaps a tribute in the future on MFQ ???
#14
Posted 15 September 2006 - 17:59
Raymond was everyone favourite commentator, he didn't let his pants go on fire like Murray but was dignified, knowledgeable and his command of the English language shamed all of today's commentators.
He will be missed.
#15
Posted 15 September 2006 - 19:22
Yes, indeed, RIP Raymond. I remember him commentating on Concorde's first flight as well as verything else.
#16
Posted 15 September 2006 - 19:35
#17
Posted 15 September 2006 - 19:38
#18
Posted 15 September 2006 - 21:56
#19
Posted 15 September 2006 - 22:49
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#20
Posted 16 September 2006 - 02:13
God bless you, sir, and thank you.
#21
Posted 16 September 2006 - 05:40
"String. The product which in a few amazing weeks has not only revolutionised, but rejuvenated British industry. It has a thousand uses. As a substitute for conventional electric wiring, it's safer and it's cheaper because...it doesn't work."
RIP R.Baxter 1922-2006
#22
Posted 16 September 2006 - 07:16
#23
Posted 16 September 2006 - 09:03
My fondest memory, turning up at Bealieu to film an item on the land speed record, Ray was already there. We set up for a walk through, and I looked in my bag for the script. Meanwhile the cameraman and sound guy filmed the "rehearsal". Ray was word perfect, his positioning faultless, and he knew the ins and outs of every car he talked about. I binned the script, the filming was finished and the editor just dropped the whole piece in without touching it. One take and it was done, no rehearsal, no coaching, no direction, just perfect!!! Raymond Baxter 150% professional, I'll miss him.
#24
Posted 16 September 2006 - 12:03
#25
Posted 16 September 2006 - 14:04
...1962 was the beginning of it all, and the video 'Rouen Round' with Raymonds commentary is a treasured part of my life.
...on channel 442 ESPN Classic on Saturday nights at 10pm, we can now remember Raymonds wonderful style and abilities, as they show TV highlights of the British Grand Prix from the 70s, they do have 1980 tonight along with 1977, but there are others coming up such as 1973 where Raymond is commentating.
..."really in the agricultural business"....
Au Revoir Raymond and thankyou so much ;)
#26
Posted 16 September 2006 - 17:19
#27
Posted 16 September 2006 - 23:15
A friend of mine posted a memory of Raymond on a Usenet newsgroup today - Paul was building a Marlin kit-car and saw some wheels and tyres advertised in one of the mags. He went to pick them up and the seller turned out to be Raymond Baxter who had various interesting cars in his garage - a twin-engined Mini Moke and one that he'd built his own supercharger for out of an Avro Anson cockpit pressurising unit.... and Raymond was very friendly and enthusiastic and willing to talk cars and aviation (Paul had been an FAA pilot) for a good while...
#28
Posted 16 September 2006 - 23:47
erm....yes, that would be right. 1996.
#29
Posted 17 September 2006 - 11:01
R.I.P. Raymond you will be sadly missed by us
#30
Posted 17 September 2006 - 12:49
#31
Posted 17 September 2006 - 19:22
I was fortunate enough to meet him just the once; somewhat strangely, on a ferry boat in Southampton, where he was presenting (I think) to a boat load of pharmaceutical, er, people.
I am not in any way (and never was) connected with that industry and was there for other reasons, but went upto him and introduced myself - somewhat alarming, looking back. I can only assume I was even more stupid then than I am now, but it was well worthwhile.
Needless to say he was charming - God alone what he must have thought of me - and I really wish I could have seen and heard more of his magnificent commentaries. As others have already observed here, his innate understanding of racing and aviation gave him such wonderful authority in his perfectlly timed delivery - a far, far cry from the utter crap we are subjected to today.
#32
Posted 17 September 2006 - 22:11
Originally posted by MCS
a far, far cry from the utter crap we are subjected to today.
absolutely true - but how can one do anything about getting it changed?
#33
Posted 18 September 2006 - 08:10
Perhaps the one thing Raymond failed at, and it wasn't really his fault, was when BMC, in their dying days, hired him to officiate at the launch of their new car. Raymond did his usual professional job in the build up, and by the time he had finished his presentation, all the attendant journos were waiting with baited breath. Then the car was revealed - it was the Austin 3-litre. Silence all round. Even Raymond Baxter couldn't make that car seem good.
#34
Posted 18 September 2006 - 09:57
Originally posted by ian senior
Very sad news indeed. There won't ever be another Raymond Baxter, but I live in hope that some day we might possibly see another commentator with similar erudition, diction and gravitas. I
Perhaps the one thing Raymond failed at, and it wasn't really his fault, was when BMC, in their dying days, hired him to officiate at the launch of their new car. Raymond did his usual professional job in the build up, and by the time he had finished his presentation, all the attendant journos were waiting with baited breath. Then the car was revealed - it was the Austin 3-litre. Silence all round. Even Raymond Baxter couldn't make that car seem good.
I do so agree with that.
I worked at a London BL distributor at the time the Austin 3 litre and like a lot of BL models looked back on they all tend to be heavily criticised without the good points being mentioned.
True compared to say a Jaguar it was not visually graceful, it was unacceptably unreliable , - self leveling hydraulic leaks, power steering leaks, overheating and consequential head gasket failure auto gearbox failure. If the engine had been tuned to produce a further 50 BHP that would also have helped the MGC as well as the 3 litre.
However when it was all working it had a good compliant ride, huge space in inside , very stiff bodyshell, you sat up high, lots of torque, a nice drive in comparison with the competition at the time, not special or distinctive enough to look at. A pity really with more design work, R&D and testing it could easily have been well regarded.
I really do hope someone with Raymonds style and delivery emerges, its not impossible and fashions can change quite quickly.
I wish we might have heard more from him on the subject of motor racing in the last 25 years.
Someone, maybe its Murray ought to do the definitive history of the motor car in say a 13 part , - 1 hr TV series, perhaps bring in two others we discussed Jonathan Meades and Brian Sewell.
Rather like Kenneth Clark's Civilisation series.
Nearly the whole population is in some way devoted to their own personal transport ,this could have a huge audience, with 100 years of film history and people involved to look back on.
Slightly better than some of the tripe served up on TV today I would suggest.
#35
Posted 18 September 2006 - 11:51
Indeed.Originally posted by jph
The Saturday of this year's Goodwood Revival must have been Raymond Baxter's last public appearance. He was, as ever, word perfect. Those of us who were there should feel especially privileged.
RIP Raymond Baxter
#36
Posted 18 September 2006 - 12:10
I met him once or twice at Prescott Hill when he and his son entered a twin engined Mini Moke, and being a Mini Moke owner myself (mine was a Dinky, and came with a parachute and platform), I decided we must have a lot in common, what with him being in our lounge every Thursday night, and occaisional weekends too. I discussed his car at length, and his tone was just as measured and patient as it always seemed to be when he was on telly.
Marvellous fellow, who helped implant motorsport and technology into a young brain. he was pretty quick in that Moke too.
Oh and by the way, won't have a bad word said about the Austin 3 litre. Tch!!
I wonder if 10 year olds today will be thinking in their middle age, Gosh that James Allen, he was so British....I do so hope not.
#37
Posted 18 September 2006 - 12:31
I agree with your every word but may I extract this: "...you could hear every word with no hysterics. It was a measured and calm delivery...". I agree with that, too, but if you look at contemporary F1 fora (?!) you'll find that the acne set therein represented accuse James Allen of displaying unsufficient passion. Whatever would these young shavers have made of Roland Thaxter I ask???Originally posted by fw07c
Raymond Baxter was the best motor racing commentator in the world. Murray Walker and James Allan are not in the same league as Raymond. With Raymond you could hear evey word with no hysterics. It was a measured and calm delivery which was also accurate and very informative.
R.I.P. Raymond you will be sadly missed by us
#38
Posted 18 September 2006 - 12:34
Farewell then, Raymond Baxter.
"Being flown well within the capabilities of the aircraft"
That was your catchphrase.
Do the same with you new wings sir.
RIP.
#39
Posted 18 September 2006 - 12:43
Gorgeous!
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#40
Posted 18 September 2006 - 12:44
Originally posted by Mal9444
absolutely true - but how can one do anything about getting it changed?
Easy. Put the name "Jeremy Clarkson" into the relevant field on this website
Job done!
BTW, OTOH, Sewell is about the only person I can think of in the mainstream media that knows anything about motors. I suppose ADC knows his stuff as well. I can't say there are too many candidates...
Justin
#41
Posted 18 September 2006 - 16:09
Originally posted by Huw Jadvantich
I wonder if 10 year olds today will be thinking in their middle age, Gosh that James Allen, he was so British....I do so hope not.
James Allen is a symbol of the kind of Britain I'd rather not live in -- but then again so are a lot of "meeja" people.
Raymond Baxter provided commentary on a sport peopled by sportsmen for an audience that appreciated sporting values.
James Allen whoops illiterately over panem et circenses sports-entertainment for a crowd that'd largely be better off watching WWE wrestling.
#42
Posted 18 September 2006 - 16:12
Originally posted by flat-16
BTW, OTOH, Sewell is about the only person I can think of in the mainstream media that knows anything about motors. I suppose ADC knows his stuff as well. I can't say there are too many candidates...
Justin
Dan Cruickshank shows some evidence of knowing a bit about cars - cf the episode of "Around the World in 80 Treasures" where he called the VW Beetle one of the treasures and talked very knowledgeably about it...
#43
Posted 18 September 2006 - 17:22
#44
Posted 18 September 2006 - 22:10
http://www.telegraph...9/16/db1601.xml
Being of the generation which grew up with his broadcasting, I can only endorse all the comments on this thread. Apart from other memories, making those wintertime Army vs London MC rough terrain competitions sound thrilling, Haflingers and Champs, not forgetting the famous Bug, vs conventional cars and not least his very moving and erudite commentaries every time he was at Goodwood, I always remember the photograph in Autosport or Autocar in 1961 or 62 of him on the RAC Rally ear'oling a Humber Super Snipe round a Special Stage with the car on lots of understeering lock and full body lean. Top man. IIRC he set some of the fastest times in the team when he was entered in the 3 litre Rovers, pulling into the service are a for "an oil check and tyre pressures"
Quality, style and eloquence such as he possessed will be a long time being matched let alone replaced.
RIP
Roger Lund.
#45
Posted 19 September 2006 - 09:02
http://www.studio88....es/SSD-80-l.JPG
#46
Posted 19 September 2006 - 10:33
Sorry to see you go my thoughts are with his family and friends
#47
Posted 20 September 2006 - 19:01
#48
Posted 20 September 2006 - 20:25
Roger Lund
#49
Posted 20 September 2006 - 21:08
John
#50
Posted 20 September 2006 - 22:48