A survey of nearly 9,000 people reckoned Murray Walker is the greatest commentator of all time.
And they’re absolutely right.
His voice is synonymous with motor sport. I used to be a massive fan of the British Touring Car Championship, but when Muzza retired, it lost something.
You could say every sport has an iconic commentator, but apart from darts legend Sid Waddell there are few famous for their crazy quotes.
But even Waddell’s famous “The atmosphere is so tense, if Elvis walked in with a portion of chips, you could hear the vinegar sizzle on them” quote has nothing on Murray’s greatest.
“With half the race gone, there is half the race still to go”
“Do my eyes deceive me, or is Senna’s Lotus sounding rough?”
“It’s raining and the track is wet”
“Either the car is stationary, or it’s on the move.”
“I can’t believe what’s happening visually, in front of my eyes.”
“I don’t make mistakes. I make prophecies which immediately turn out to be wrong.”
“I should imagine that the conditions in the cockpit are totally unimaginable.”
“I’m in my usual state up here in the commentary box: high tension, heart beating like a trip hammer, whatever that is.”
“I’ve no idea what Eddie Irvine’s orders are, but he’s following them superlatively well.”
“There’s nothing wrong with the car except that it’s on fire.”
Have we left anything out? Let us know.
Stuart Milne
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As an introductory piece for a rallysprint race, Murray was put in the Navigator’s seat alongside Tony Pond in a Chevette HSR (270 BHP, rwd, and TWITCHY), added an in-car camera, and wired Murray for sound. The result can be deduced by extrapolating his usual excitement and enthusiasm, and adding a large pinch of raw terror! “And there’s a 600 foot drop on my left..AND we’re doing 120 mph… AND we’re approaching a hairpin…OH MY GOD we’re going to die…”
Love Murray, he really is entertaining to hear.
Mark
A few good ones:
“He’s obviously gone in for a wheel change. I say obviously because I can’t see it”
“Anything happens in Grand Prix racing and it usually does”
“Alboreto has dropped back up to fifth place”
“As you look at the first four, the significant thing is that Alboreto is 5th”
“I can’t imagine what kind of problem Senna has. I imagine it must be some sort of grip problem”
“He is shedding buckets of adrenalin in that car”
“It’s raining and the track is wet”
“And there’s just a few more corners for Nigel Mansell to go to win the Canadian Grand Prix…and…he’s going rather slow….HE’S STOPPING HE’S STOPPING!”
Frank!
I agree that Murray was/is the best motor-sport commentator but overall, I think Harry Carpenter’s boxing commentary was better. 2 great icons of UK sports commentary for sure though.
Firstly, I can’t believe there are no comments on this piece.
Secondly, Is Murray Walker the best? Yes, oh yes, oh yes! I grew up with this man commenting on the BBC on Sunday afternoons. My dad was a huge F1 fan and even though I didn’t realise just what a great commentator he was at the time – now when I watch with my kids he is sadly missed.