9 replies to this topic

[Gary C]

Very sad indeed to hear that the Voice of Brands Hatch, Brian Jones, has passed away. ALWAYS the voice of the Formula Ford Festival and just about everything else. I felt that I knew him. Very sadly missed.

[Giraffe]

A hugely talented commentator and a lovely man. RIP.

[RS2000]

"High wide and handsome into Paddock" was a phrase known to even those who rarely heard him commentate.

 

By strange means I was at the launch of the original 1600 205 GTI at Brands and, once on track in one of the mass of standard examples available, I was already resigned to see Bernard Unett disappear far into the distance immediately, followed by younger and much quicker than me rally driver Ian Hughes. Since all the others were industry/dealer types without obvious competition experience, I expected to have them pretty quickly. One, though I just could not close down and I realised from a distance he clearly knew the perfect lines round the "Indy" circuit. So I copied him but still couldn't get closer. At the end of the session, the driver was revealed as Brian Jones...

Edited by RS2000, 02 January 2021 - 15:57.

[Altitude]

Very sad news. I knew Brian for many years and he was always fantastic company.

He could never remember my name in the early days and due to my height he christened me 'Altitude' which stuck and is a name I have been known by for many years.

RIP.

[john aston]

As a northerner I only heard him on my rare visits to Brands , as a young man between 72 and 86 - usually in even numbered years . But I remembered his voice very well - you would , wouldn't you ?- and I was amazed to hear it again , in full flow at Croft only three or four years ago  . God knows why he was there , I don't remember the meeting as being anything unusual. Anyway, I saw a figure leave the commentary box and,  as I am no longer the shy young man I was,  I said hello , and told him I hadn't heard his dulcet tones for about thirty years . He laughed and we had a quick chat -noting profound but it was nice to have met the man behind the voice .  . 

Edited by john aston, 02 January 2021 - 17:36.

[JacnGille]

Sad news

[1969BOAC500]

I'm very sad at this news. Synonymous with Brands Hatch to me over many years.

 

RIP.

[Little Leaf]

I grew up listening to Brian at Brands, sad news. RIP

[FLB]

You can hear the PA very well over the cars:

 

[moffspeed]

Well, we have the Walter Hayes Trophy at Silverstone every year.

 

So, surely, the Brands FF Festival needs to be run for the Brian Jones Trophy in the future ?