96 replies to this topic

[Tsarwash]

James Hunt for me. 

[DanardiF1]

F1 - Murray and Brundle. Murray is the sound of my childhood, I was maybe a little young to remember James Hunt alongside him, and never really liked Jonathan Palmer (though Tony Jardine was always good), so when Martin came in to partner Murray in 97 that became the default lineup.

 

Kudos to Ben Edwards and John Watson back in the days when Eurosport also carried F1, they were great together and John Watson is still good now working with Blancpain.

 

Sportscars - Has to be John Hindhaugh and Jeremy Shaw. I know there are those who think Hindy is a bit more pompous now (there are moments where I agree), but overall I think he has a charisma and passion that is hard to match. Some malign that he misses action sometimes, but I find that charming in the same way I did with Murray... Jeremy Shaw is a great foil for Hindy in IMSA, and again is someone that has been around well into my childhood alongside Ben Edwards on Eurosport's CART coverage back in the mid-90's.

 

I really enjoy Jack Nicholls in Formula E and other stuff he's done previously as well. I think its important that when watching a race the commentator gives you a feeling that they are genuinely passionate about what they are talking about and aren't just there in a careerist sense, and Nicholls does that really well, as do the other names I've mentioned. Martin Haven is another one of this ilk, he is the king of touring car racing commentary and knows so much about the actual sport rather than just who he's mates with...

 

I think there's something about a slightly clumsy and shambolic commentator that I like as long as you can tell they care, and in that sense I'm even not that averse to one Carlton Kirby... I think its probably because I only hear him once a year when working with Eurosport at Le Mans, I think if it was more regular he would annoy me.

[MargaretM37]

For me, Murray and James will never be bettered. Even now I can remember so many moments of their classic commentaries. The soundtrack of my youth. 

Edited by MargaretM37, 01 May 2019 - 18:39.

[midgrid]

Ben Edwards and David Addison are my favourite active commentators.

 

Someone who hasn't been mentioned, and who got a lot of stick for his commentary on MotoGP when the BBC had the broadcast rights, is Charlie Cox - I enjoyed his partnership with John Watson on the BTCC in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

[John B]

Another nod to Varsha here, going back to the days of Motorweek Illustrated with Dave Despain in the 1980s.

 

Also liked how Ken Squier called races. When he and Ned Jarrett did a segment of one of the recent Southern 500s (as part of the retro theme) some newer NASCAR followers commented on how good they were, being in their 80s.

 

Dale Jarrett has done well in his own right, especially like how he has an opinion of things as he sees them, even if it's not favorable to the driver or NASCAR. Hoping FOX gets someone with critical thought to replace DW next year.

[jonpollak]

I wouldn’t mind Jimmie Johnson if he hangs up the helmet.
Jp

[MattK9]

Charlie Cox and Steve Parish used to do the MotoGP for the BBC and were brilliant.

 

"He needed that like he needs a third armpit"

"He's working harder than a one armed paper hanger"

[Sterzo]

^ The Brundle of yore was good with those one liners:

 

"He's so close behind the Benetton he can smell that shampoo Alesi advertises on TV."

Edited by Sterzo, 02 May 2019 - 10:51.

[John B]

I wouldn’t mind Jimmie Johnson if he hangs up the helmet.
Jp

Tony Stewart......? lol
(No one said the radio remix had to be for drivers only)

[Myrvold]

I wasn't watching F1 until long after Murray retired, but this piece of commentary is my favourite, from what I've listened to. 5:50-6:05

Never mind that, what was the Porsche doing on the track at the start there?

[absinthedude]

Honourable mention to Brundle, especially when teamed with Murray Walker. 

 

Jonathan Palmer just didn't really cut it. He'd been pit lane reported in the late Walker/Hunt years after JP's own F1 career petered out. I recall him doing recorded segments on aspects of F1 cars and driving during 1990 when he was test driver for McLaren...usually using parts of the McLaren to illustrate his pieces. That worked and his pit lane role in 1992/3 worked....but after James died he was promoted to commentator alongside Murray and while not actually bad....he wasn't good. He had a lot of knowledge and for 1994 researched pitstop strategy in great detail and would take time to explain the ramifications of "one stoppers" and "two stoppers" but he just didn't have that infectious enthusiasm that Hunt and Brundle had. 

[BRG]

I just watched the highlight clips of the two Baku F2 races on YouTube.  Although very short, they were still spoiled by some cretin screaming throughout.  If Murray Walker was said to have his 'trousers on fire', this idiot appeared to have been drenched in petrol and ignited.  Is that Buxton?  If so, he should never be allowed near a microphone although given the decibel level of his 'commentary', he wouldn't need one. 

[tampaguy]

No one mentioned Bob Jenkins ? One of the finest in my opinion

[pacificquay]

^ The Brundle of yore was good with those one liners:
 
"He's so close behind the Benetton he can smell that shampoo Alesi advertises on TV."

Difference was Brundle’s quips were off the cuff or at least sounded as such whereas Cox relied on pre planned cliches

[milestone 11]

I just watched the highlight clips of the two Baku F2 races on YouTube. Although very short, they were still spoiled by some cretin screaming throughout. If Murray Walker was said to have his 'trousers on fire', this idiot appeared to have been drenched in petrol and ignited. Is that Buxton? If so, he should never be allowed near a microphone although given the decibel level of his 'commentary', he wouldn't need one.

That's the prick that I was complaining about up thread. Alex Jacques.

Edited by milestone 11, 03 May 2019 - 21:24.

[jonpollak]

What’s the YouTube link for that F2 race?
I’ll watch it with the sound off.

Thanks for the warning!!
Jp

[Tsarwash]

^ The Brundle of yore was good with those one liners:

 

"He's so close behind the Benetton he can smell that shampoo Alesi advertises on TV."

He was really great a while ago. 

[Tsarwash]

Honourable mention to Brundle, especially when teamed with Murray Walker. 

 

Jonathan Palmer just didn't really cut it. He'd been pit lane reported in the late Walker/Hunt years after JP's own F1 career petered out. I recall him doing recorded segments on aspects of F1 cars and driving during 1990 when he was test driver for McLaren...usually using parts of the McLaren to illustrate his pieces. That worked and his pit lane role in 1992/3 worked....but after James died he was promoted to commentator alongside Murray and while not actually bad....he wasn't good. He had a lot of knowledge and for 1994 researched pitstop strategy in great detail and would take time to explain the ramifications of "one stoppers" and "two stoppers" but he just didn't have that infectious enthusiasm that Hunt and Brundle had. 

 

Maybe that fatal crash got to him. 

[hansmann]

Brundle all the way in F1. He's my Murray Walker of today .

[Ben1445]

Can't shake it. Been listening to IMSA commentary and I just can't seem to enjoy John Hindhaugh. 

Edited by Ben1445, 05 May 2019 - 20:02.

[427MkIV]

Somewhat related, as I watch some old Indy 500s on YouTube to get ready for this year's race, I'm so glad NBC will be broadcasting it this year instead of ABC and hope to high heaven NBC does NOT show drivers' wives gesturing, cheering and crying as the final laps speed by. That is so annoying and a stereotype disservice to the women.

[Nathan]

Walker, Brundle, Varsha, Waltrip, McReynolds and Nick Harris.

[7MGTEsup]

The 2 guys who did the WSBK commentary on sky back in the mid 90's their names escape me at the moment both very enthusiastic and with good knowledge.

Edited by 7MGTEsup, 08 May 2019 - 14:02.

[subh]

I have to mention British Superbike commentator Barry Nutley.

[TheJammin]

Marsha and Dario get my votes for faves. Cant think of anyone to lump with them two really, think Dario has slipped into the role brilliantly.

Used to think Croft was alright but then I paid attention to him. I swear he gets worse with each race, I'm sure he used to be tolerable.

[balage06]

Ben Edwards and John Watson

[ensign14]

Always liked Gentleman Ned Jarrett in NASCAR.  Lent the sport a huge amount of credibility.  NASCAR coverage with him and Parsons was something F1 should have learned lessons about - they made sure to mention almost everyone in the field, so there was good sponsor visibility. 

 

And at Goodwood there is something almost comforting about the on-track announcers, such as Ian Titchmarsh and Marcus Pye, with able assistance from DCN.  If you get a sunny day, the most gorgeous exotica available, bacon bap (brown sauce) and the earpiece in, then the rest of the world can get self-intercoursed.

[Ivanhoe]

Nick Harris.

👍👍

Edited by Ivanhoe, 08 May 2019 - 17:35.

[FirstnameLastname]

I’d genuinely be interested to see James Allen given another shot at the main job in the UK. He got such a hard time from fans as they’d had Murray beforehand... but he was better imo than Croft is, and Legard before him.

This just came up on my suggested YouTube vids. Allen’s final race... i think he makes a great job of it alongside Brundle

https://youtu.be/4HnYPtvgZ54

[jonpollak]

Unfortunate Thread Revival.

I learned today that on top of cancer Bob Varsha has COVID-19.

FFS...
Jp

[HeadFirst]

Oh golly gosh.
Thanks for clearing that up for us idiot foreigners !!
Jp

 

Personally, I think he got it backwards. Announcers describe the action, commentators add depth and colour.

[messy]

Charlie Cox and Steve Parish used to do the MotoGP for the BBC and were brilliant.
 
"He needed that like he needs a third armpit"
"He's working harder than a one armed paper hanger"

I never really liked Charlie Cox as a commentator. I always thought he was far too focused on where to crowbar in his next ‘dad joke’ rather than actually what was going on. And he was so far up Valentino Rossi’s backside there might as well have been nobody else competing sometimes. The Doctor this, The Doctor that.

All the best to Bob Varsha, hopefully he only gets it mild like most people and isn’t laid up for long.

[jonpollak]

Personally, I think he got it backwards. Announcers describe the action, commentators add depth and colour.

That's what I thought but it would be churlish to challenge.

Jp

[juicy sushi]

Unfortunate Thread Revival.

I learned today that on top of cancer Bob Varsha has COVID-19.

FFS...
Jp

Damn it!

 

Hoping he pulls through.  He's been deservedly mentioned in this thread, but for me I think his peak was working alongside Danny Sullivan during CARTs mid-1990s heyday.  They paired well together, both in enthusiasm and in delivery.

[juicy sushi]

Also, another announcer I feel worth mentioning would be Rick Benjamin.  I remember him first doing a racing news show on Sundays on TNN in the very early 1990s, and doing his level best to cover everything beyond the Nascar that TNN cared about.  He even gave DTM results.  In America in 1993.  

 

And then when Atlantics had their last gasp he was the announcer for their season on Speed.  And was really good at describing what happened on track in a very relaxed, welcoming way.

[jonpollak]

Ahh yes... Champ Car announcer on a channel I never got.
Jp

[jonpollak]

Here’s Matchett-Hobbs-Buxton and Diffey doing an a reunion.

https://www.nbcsport...bbs-will-buxton

Jp

[AustinF1]

Personally, I think he got it backwards. Announcers describe the action, commentators add depth and colour.

+1

[GlenWatkins]

Varsha, Hobbs & Machett were a good team when they were on Speedvision.  Specially like Hobbo's vocabulary:  kablammo!, rather large attachments, klag, bob kubica, Fred Alonso,  

[jonpollak]

Good News on the Varsha front.



Jp

[M66R]

I'm a bit late to the game but I really enjoyed Toby Moody's commentary when he did the BTCC back in 2012.

The three Indycar commentators,Diffey, Bell and Tracy are great too.

[1969BOAC500]

Another one late to the game...

 

Murray and James were brilliant on TV, but somehow I have fond memories of circuit commentators, the mention of whose name takes me straight back there - they were such an integral part of the race atmosphere to me.....

 

I'm thinking of 'Neville Hay out at Westfield' and the legendary Jean-Charles Laurens at Le Mans. Could barely understand a word he was saying, but back in the late 70s/early 80s he was as much a part of 'Le Mans' as the smell of Disque Blue, the Mercier champagne stand and the big bowl of black coffee at 6 am. It was the pronunciation - my Dad and I still laugh at the memory of ' Stiv Sopairrr et Jams Weavairrrrr...'.

 

Oh - and I enjoyed hearing Chris Economaki  at the Brands & Silverstone Indy races in 1979.....

Edited by 1969BOAC500, 22 April 2020 - 06:45.

[jonpollak]

Here’s an odd one.
I was taking my RAC-MSA license back in 89 and 90 and remember Bruce Jones commentating on the sessions.

He never got my last name right.
It sounded like Pole Axed.

Jp

[Sterzo]

I'm thinking of 'Neville Hay out at Westfield' ....

Aaargh! A protective mechanism in my brain made me forget him until now. He spent one entire meeting complaining about insects in that commentary box. He and, oh dear, James Tilling...

 

Anthony Marsh was good, but most of the "jolly nice day for a motor race old boy" English commentators were awful. Ian Titchmarsh's arrival was a breath of fresh air in the seventies, and his teaming with David Addison in the nineties onwards was sublime.

 

I used to enjoy the eighties VSCC commentators John Wills and Bunny Tubbs. Their relaxed witterings suited the atmosphere. An extract from the first lap of a Silverstone handicap race: "Have they started, Bunny?" "I do believe they have, John."

Edited by Sterzo, 22 April 2020 - 12:09.

[mclarensmps]

I love Hunt's vendetta against De Cesaris    .

 

On that basis alone, I choose Hunt. 

[jonpollak]

While at the same time he lauded Stefano Modena ...?
Jp

[BobbyRicky]

Davide Valsecchi