[TV] The Great Ben Edwards!

[Marcus666]

IMO, there's noone like Murray Walker at commentating motorsport, but after he retired, I must say that Ben Edwards is the one who has the crown now as the best Motorsport commentator. I felt now that I had to get a Thread here dedicated to him. Here is some links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hP4Mh5Ql_i4
- Hockenheim 1996

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BS-x...3B71412A4100CF
- Monaco 1996 (4.15 !!!!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLHiMkzMPqo
- Houston 1999

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufycYmIikGs
- Vancouver 1999 (58.30 !!!!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAPOR...feature=relmfu
- Surfers Paradise 1999 (1.33.00 !!!!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMV8hsHXxHc
- US 500 1999

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZQZ6MjtGPQ
- Michigan 2000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTh9p89ebKk
- Surfers Paradise 2000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rm45n...eature=related
- Australian GP 2002

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VL0ldZP0zEs
- Australian GP 2002

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6WuS...eature=related
- BTCC Thruxton 2008

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRkxpYLKKwQ
- BTCC Donington 2010

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6so8be16mL4
- BTCC Oulton Park 2011

Watch the BBC F1 coverage for more awesome commentary from Ben!

/Marcus

[Graz]

He is good but I do have on citicism - he does tend to shout and get overly excited. I don't know, Murray could get away with it but Ben doesn't need to do it, he could tone it down a bit. What he says is excellent though and he knows his stuff. I was happy when he got the BBC F1 gig and remain so.

[nicanary]

A bit off-topic, i know, but most members won't have been around to hear the commentaries of Raymond Baxter on the dear old Beeb. No screaming hysterics with that gent, oh no. He was like a motorsport Richard Dimbleby, talking in calm, measured tones and with absolute gravitas. A useful rally driver too.

His big drawback was his occasional pedantry - there were no screen graphics in those days, and therefore he had to relate the grid to the viewer in full. So as the 1-minute board went up he would be saying : "Fourth on the grid is Joe Bloggs in his one-thousand and ninety-eight cc Wombat -Climax, who practiced in a time of 1 minute, thirty-eight point six seconds, an average speed of eighty-two point four seven three miles per hour. Mr. Bloggs is forty-one years old and a greengrocer from Tunbridge Wells. Next to him on the grid is....... And they'd be off.

He spent so long telling you about the entrants that he'd never have time to outline the grid places beyond the first two rows. Still loved him, though.

James Hunt is sadly and badly missed. I like controversy, not mealy-mouthed yes-men.

[Paradise City]

David Addison is probably the best living, active commentator in motorracing. He's authoritative, makes fair and cogent criticisms, he's energetic yet I can't ever remember him getting over-excited. Make Jeremy Shaw co-commentator and you can't get two more professional commentators, ever. Jeremy Shaw in particular has alot of integrity.

If you've watched motorracing since you were young you make 'friends' with certain commentators and Edwards along with Murray Walker, the American announcers Paul Page, Buddy Baker, Ned Jarrett, the late Larry 'Wow' Rice are commentators that I remember with a great deal of fondness. It's why I'm particularly happy that Ben Edwards got his BBC gig.

[chunder]

Adders is fine, but for some reason his voice grates on telly!! No idea why as he is knowledgeable anf funny, I think it might be due to a few old videos that he voice overs that annoyed me a bit, mainly coz you could hardly hear the racing, more of Adders, not his fault really.

Ben is great, you dont really notice him too much, he says it as he see sit which is the best comliment you can offer I think, and I think DC is far betetr with Ben than Brunders.

My only sadness is that now for repeat BTCC we have to put wup with Moody who I love for bikes but is a bit over excitable and shouty put on in BTCC

[MGDavid]

Originally Posted by Graz

He is good but I do have on citicism - he does tend to shout and get overly excited. I don't know, Murray could get away with it but Ben doesn't need to do it, he could tone it down a bit. What he says is excellent though and he knows his stuff. I was happy when he got the BBC F1 gig and remain so.

completely agree, cannot stand his shouting and gabbled pseudo-excitement, so much that I turn him off, or rather down, so I watch in silence and work out what's happening myself. It helps that I can't stand the Jock either...

[Knowlesy]

Ben Edwards and Jeremy Shaw are right up there with Murray and James/Martin.

Brilliant pairings all of them.

[Beetle]

John Hindaugh should do BTCC.