14 replies to this topic

[Doug Nye]

Sadly, I understand that so-familiar race commentator and all-round enthusiast Neville Hay passed away yesterday.  Sincere condolences to his family and so many friends and fans...

 

DCN

Edited by Doug Nye, 09 May 2024 - 09:41.

[P.Dron]

Sad to hear this. He was a one-off character. While waiting to take part in a TVR Tuscan race at Oulton Park in 1989 I watched the Honda CRX race. There was a tangle of cars coming out of Lodge on the last lap and one CRX crossed the finish line on its roof. Lisa Thackwell, later Brabham, felt that she had caused the accident. A group of people were gathered around her. She burst into tears and said, "I'm never going to make it as a racing driver." Neville, evidently well lubricated, said, "Never mind, dear. I bet you are a tremendous f***." This did not seem to console her. 

Edited by P.Dron, 09 May 2024 - 12:59.

[Richard Jenkins]

Really sorry to hear this,and slightly surprised too as I think he was still working?

One of the authors I always really admired, respected and I always enjoyed his books.

Sincere condolences to his family and friends.

[john aston]

Sad to hear this. He was a one-off character. While waiting to take part in a TVR Tuscan race at Oulton Park in 1989 I watched the Honda CRX race. There was a tangle of cars coming out of Lodge on the last lap and one CRX crossed the finish line on its roof. Lisa Thackwell, later Brabham, felt that she had caused the accident. A group of people were gathered around her. She burst into tears and said, "I'm never going to make it as a racing driver." Neville, evidently well lubricated, said, "Never mind, dear. I bet you are a tremendous f***." This did not seem to console her. 

  LP Hartley was right - "the past is a foreign country: they do things differently there"  . 

[Stephen W]

I met Neville several times and on one occasion in changing weather conditions acted as a runner to bring him updates on what tyres were being run at a British Sprint event on the Isle of Man. His "off the cuff" comments were both hilarious and somewhat none PC as was his constant smoking.

[Blundle]

  LP Hartley was right - "the past is a foreign country: they do things differently there"  . 

 

True, but that type of behaviour would still have been considered objectionable and ungentlemanly in the 1980s. To be frank, he's lucky he didn't get chinned. 

[john aston]

Now you've said  it ,  I admit I thought the same.  I'm of 1952 vintage but if any of my friends had said something as crass(in 60s , 70s or 80s , let alone later)   they wouldn't have stayed  friends any longer. 

[cpbell]

R.I.P.

[Fivestripes]

Nice tribute by David Addison before one of the BTCC races today. RIP Neville. Wasn't he a mate of Peter Collins? If so truly the end of an era.

[Doug Nye]

He was certainly very close with Roy Salvadori whose reminiscences and wise words Neville would insert into his commentaries at the slightest provocation.

 

DCN

[PhantomRaspberryBlower]

I always found Neville's commentaries a bit dull and steadily deteriorated over the decades - one exception being this Flux/Taylor Sports 2000 race from 1987

 

 

Brought a smile to my face, first time seeing it after 37 ( ) years.

Edited by PhantomRaspberryBlower, 13 May 2024 - 11:13.

[Doug Nye]

The BRDC obituary:

 

With great regret we have to inform Members that John Neville Robert Hay, Neville, Nev and Poppy to his grandchildren, sadly passed away at home on the 8 May after a short illness. His son Richard has sent us this tribute to his much-loved Dad.

 

Born in Kidderminster, Neville attended King Charles 1st  Grammar School where it was clear to all that his future would not be in academic pursuits. His teachers quickly decided that the best way to deal with him was to let him quietly read car magazines while the rest of the class got on with it. 

 

Neville had always been involved with cars and motor sport, working in the motor trade, including for the family of Kidderminster man Peter Collins at the time of his fatal accident at the Nürburgring during the 1958 German Grand Prix. Neville and his father John both commentated at Shelsley Walsh. After joining the family timber business Neville began to occupy more of his weekends by commentating at various other motor sport events. This led to a brief foray into sponsorship with Iberia Airlines supporting Morris Nunn’s Ensign Formula 3 team in 1972 with drivers Mike Walker and Rikky Von Opel, and with Graham McRae in Formula 5000 and also Indianapolis.

 

Neville’s circuit commentary progressed into radio for the BBC and television. In the late 70s his ever-supportive wife Dorothy and he decided to set up what is now known as Hayfisher Productions, shortly thereafter joined by his oldest son Richard. Hayfisher quickly grew an enviable client list producing programmes for all the major television channels covering everything from the British and European Touring Car Championships to the FIM World 500cc Motorcycle Championship and forging links with Channel 7 Australia and the Bathurst 1000. 

 

Retiring from regular circuit commentary and Hayfisher in the late 1990s Neville moved to the Isle of Man but continued to do the odd event and television commentary, including a return to Le Mans for both Radio Le Mans and Eurosport in the early 2000s. He was especially proud to be able to commentate on his oldest son Richard during his appearances. 

 

Retirement was a loose term for Neville as he still produced a number of videos on historic drivers and cars, wrote articles for numerous publications and had books published on Tony Rolt and Prince Bira and most recently Ken Wharton last year. He was blessed with a remarkable memory for motor racing facts, figures and anecdotes.

 

Neville was a proud Member of the BRDC for over 30 years, having been elected in 1993 after many years of commentating at Silverstone at the British Grand Prix and other major events. While motor sport was Neville’s lifelong passion, he also had a deep love for the opera and theatrical arts, the operettas of Gilbert and Sullivan being special favourites.

 

Neville is survived by his wife Dorothy, three children Richard, Stephanie, and John, six grandchildren Abi, George, Theo, Luke, Demi, Jack and two great grandchildren Sophia and Annabelle. 

The BRDC offers its deepest sympathy to Dorothy, Richard, Stephanie and John and their families at the loss of a much-loved personality.

 

DCN

[RTH]

I am very sorry to hear this . I am very fond of his film, narration and commentaries - he even interviewed me 3 times  in various Willhire 24 hr races down the years  really nice chap and a real gentleman . Two big losses to Le Mans  with  Neville and Hugh Chamberlain passing in the last 2 months .. Sad indeed .

[nmansellfan]

I never knew he was from my home town.  Was always good to hear his voice on Le Mans broadcasts, he was certainly knowledgable on sports prototype racing.  Rest in Peace Neville.

[pacificquay]

Sad to hear this. He was a one-off character. While waiting to take part in a TVR Tuscan race at Oulton Park in 1989 I watched the Honda CRX race. There was a tangle of cars coming out of Lodge on the last lap and one CRX crossed the finish line on its roof. Lisa Thackwell, later Brabham, felt that she had caused the accident. A group of people were gathered around her. She burst into tears and said, "I'm never going to make it as a racing driver." Neville, evidently well lubricated, said, "Never mind, dear. I bet you are a tremendous f***." This did not seem to console her. 

Revealing someone to be a classless, misogynistic boor is hardly a warm tribute upon their death.