Murray Walker

Graeme Murray Walker (born 10 October, 1923 in Hall Green, Birmingham) is a former motor sport commentator. For most of his career he worked for the BBC, but when they lost the contract for Formula 1 coverage to ITV, Walker switched over to the commercial company.

Related Topics:
10 October - 1923 - Hall Green - Birmingham - BBC - Formula 1 - ITV

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He is extremely famous in the United Kingdom for his enthusiastic commentary style. He regularly made statements in the heat of the moment which upon later analysis sounded completely ridiculous; for example, of a pit stop during a race: "...I'll stop the startwatch." He is also infamous for 'cursing' drivers by predicting they were going to win a race, only to see the driver drop out of the race for some reason shortly thereafter.

Related Topics:
United Kingdom - Pit stop

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He commentated on Formula 1 right from its early days in the 1950s through to 2001 United States Grand Prix at Speedway, Indiana, and many have missed his distinctive voice, which seemed to raise and lower in tone along with the revving of the race car engines, since his retirement.

Related Topics:
1950s - United States Grand Prix

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Murray Walker spent most of his working life in advertising, only entering full-time commentary after he had passed retirement age. Despite what many people believe, he did not coin the iconic slogan: "A Mars a day helps you work, rest and play", although he did come up with other slogans well-known throughout the United Kingdom. Perhaps more known elsewhere was his Pizza Hut television advertisement with Damon Hill, in which he famously announced "Damon Hill finishes second... again!", having beaten him in finishing his pizza.

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Walker was awarded an actual brick from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway by track president Tony George as a retirement present.

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