Gerry Marshall

[felters]

It has been anounced that Gerry Marshall passed away today. Another great gone.

Watching him slide an Alvis round Goodwood last year was the most entertaining motorsport I'll ever see - a larger than life character lost. Very sad.

[Fat Albert]

Sad News

Any Firenza yours are Firenza mine

As a 17 year old in the early 70s I was making my circuit debut up at Oulton Park in a Formula Ford, I found the circuit challenging and, deep in concentration, was wandering past the competitors stand after practise when Gerry, sat in the stand surrounded by cronies, shouted to me.

"Do you know Shaw's?"

"What's Shaw's" I replied

"A pint of bitter," accompanied by howls of laughter from the accolytes

[DickieB]

Very sad.  I remember seeing him at Castle Combe as a kid many times.

[Mark Purves]

Very sad to hear.

I spent many a happy hour watching Jerry and also a few at the bras around the country. Will be greatly missing by all.

[Paul Hurdsfield - Joint Manchester AO]

Oh No    very sad, Gerry, what a guy, I've whatched him race so many times, Vivas, Firenzas, Baby Bertha, Big Bertha, so much sideways action, a great loss

[peterg]

What a shame    a great character who will be sorely missed by all who watched him race in the 60's/70's and more recently in historics  

[pistonbroke]

Sad news  

A great larger than life character , remember him for the 10 gallon hat and cowboy boots he used to wear around the paddock

A great driver and what entertainment, he was very very quick in everything he drove from F3 to Sports GT, what have you

I always wondered what he would have achieved if he had been 10 stone lighter !

Sad to hear      

[Liam]

This is terribly sad news.

He will be missed by a huge number of people in the sport - AMOC, historic events, and particularly Goodwood will not be the same without his flamboyant and hugely entertaining style.

He went out as a racer, following a testing session at Silverstone.

[felters]

a bit more detail...

http://www.cottageclassics.co.uk/

[chrisbin]

Memories.....

Firenza's sliding around Brands on Grandstand....

Seemed a great character.

[Keith Scarfe]

Oh no how sad. I only recently met and chatted to him. He was awarded with the BARC Gold medal at the Awards ceremony in February. I was there getting my award for winning the Westfield championship.

[sportstergray]

Yes a sad lost to the world of motoring.

It was only last month that we had the pleasure of him, taking about his race career at the CVPG.

RIP Jerry.

Grahame

[hilux]

I've whatched him race so many times, Vivas, Firenzas, Baby Bertha, Big Bertha, so much sideways action, a great loss

Ditto............

He was like a darts player, his racing improved with a pint or three  

[Nick M]

One of the most entertaining drivers I've ever had the privilege (and I use that word advisedly /Murray) of watching !!

Two occasions stand out :

- Coys Historic festival at Slippystone - he was driving an Austin Healey 3000 sideways *EVERYWHERE* in the wet  And lapping cars in the classes above him !!

- Inter-marque races at Brands - he started at the back of the field in one of the Marsh Plant Aston V8s and firstly over-took the entire field and then proceeded to lap a good proportion of it too !!!

Just such an entertaining driver to watch.

But what a way to go  Reminds me of a bloke I used to sail with - He died of a heart attack while out racing his boat one sunny Saturday afternoon.

[zoso]