Brian Jones - Brands Hatch Commentator

[Aysedasi]

Died today as I understand it, mentioned on FB. The voice of Brands Hatch. RIP

[Paulaweybridge]

Oh noooo.... 😞 I last saw him at John Smith’s funeral in Tunbridge Wells and afterwards at Brands Hatch in July 2019. We are losing all these wonderful people who have given us so such pleasure down the years. I hope that all the Brands stalwarts are catching up on all the good times at the circuit in the sky. Rest in Peace Brian xx

[Paulaweybridge]

A wonderful tribute to Brian

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.autosport.com/national/news/154424/obituary-brian-jones--19352020/amp/

[Aysedasi]

Very good,indeed, thanks for the link. I used to go to Brands a lot in the 80s and Brian's voice was one of those consistent and expected things, whenever I went. I used to enjoy his commentary style a great deal.

[GORDON STREETER]

I got to know Brian years ago at Brands and he always gave me a fair bit of commentary when he was on the mic and I was racing.
The last time I saw him was about 5/6 years ago after I had stopped racing and I was walking down the pit lane looking for a mate between races, when a familiar voice came over the tannoy saying "I'd recognise that hairy monster anywhere" I was surprised as I didn't think he was still commentating. I found out that he happened to be up in the box and saw me and grabbed the mic. RIP Brian

[S griffin]

Sad news. Never heard his commentary in person, although he did do the early Havoc videos which I have on video and he was very good on those. No doubt he was very much a part of Brands Hatch folklore he was. Very nice obituary on the Autosport site. Some very interesting bits in there I didn't know, like that he played rugby for Gloucester in his younger days and that he gave a certain Mr Edwards his first commentating job

May he RIP

[ascarmarshal]

Even though I have been away from the sport for 5 years except for the occasional watch on TV, this news has saddened me. Brians's voice was unique as was his enthusiasm for the sport. He could make the dullest of the old British F2 races with three cars sound exiting.

He always mentioned the marshals when we were 'beavering away' as he called it during a clear up.

RIP Brian.

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Sad news. Never heard his commentary in person, although he did do the early Havoc videos which I have on video and he was very good on those. No doubt he was very much a part of Brands Hatch folklore he was. Very nice obituary on the Autosport site. Some very interesting bits in there I didn't know, like that he played rugby for Gloucester in his younger days and that he gave a certain Mr Edwards his first commentating job

May he RIP

If I recall correctly, he also gave Trussers his first commentary break too....

[AmD Tuning]

I've never met such a generous man in all my time in motorsport. Brian was always an enthusiastic supporter of the sport and the individuals involved at all levels.
I first met Brian back in the mid '70's when my Dad, Olly, was racing and racedays invariably ended in the Kentagon!
He always had a kind word and cheery smile when we bumped into each other in the Paddock over the last 4 decades.
Whenever Brian said Hi or commentated, when I was racing, he would usually call me "Olly" rather than Shaun! I loved that.
His generosity to up and coming commentators shows the real spirit of the man, the world needs more people like him.
We've lost one of our best.
Thoughts with Ros, Tim, Charlotte and all the family x

[Paulaweybridge]

On Facebook earlier from Tim Jones and the family 😔

Remember Brian giving me lots of advice in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s which I’m eternally grateful for and Ros coming down to Sandown Park Kart Club as John Smith’s guest when he was clerking MSA kart races there.

https://m.facebook.com/groups/602885...4&ref=104&_rdr

[Paulaweybridge]

Here’s Brian helping out a driver Tim Lee-Davey with the late Tony Lanfranchi

Must be the late 1970’s or very early 80’s as Tim is 65 now.

Mark Thatcher is in the race.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8g12uz...RjWBDXcGcJ0b0M

[Aysedasi]

Great video.

[Paulaweybridge]

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

Great video.

Absolutely, it’s a wonderful BBC film actually made in 1980 with the likes of Sir Stirling Moss and James Hunt appearing. Like Brian Jones, we will NEVER see the likes of them again 😟

PS. It was great to see the old cars and old Brands Hatch too 👍

[S griffin]

Yep, very good programme from the archives there. Dare I mention Brian Jones appearing in the infamous ‘Driving Ambition?’

[Paulaweybridge]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Yep, very good programme from the archives there. Dare I mention Brian Jones appearing in the infamous ‘Driving Ambition?’

There we go. Brian at his best 😎

Surely that can’t be Jason Plato playing Donna’s husband? He would have only been 17/18 in 1984!! Maybe it is 🤔 or perhaps he is lying about his age as he seems to have been around forever 😂

https://kzclip.com/video/1H8Fy-ErdEk/the-driving-ambition-mini-special-saloon-car-race.html

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by Paulaweybridge

There we go. Brian at his best 😎

Surely that can’t be Jason Plato playing Donna’s husband? He would have only been 17/18 in 1984!! Maybe it is 🤔 or perhaps he is lying about his age as he seems to have been around forever 😂

https://kzclip.com/video/1H8Fy-ErdEk/the-driving-ambition-mini-special-saloon-car-race.html

Is that Bobby Ball with his head in the car?

[djinvicta]

So so sad, a lovely friendly man, that always stopped for a chat. We used to use his viewing box on the pit straight. He never charged and always promoted our race cars.
Shocked..
My condolences to all the Family.

[Paulaweybridge]

Originally Posted by billy bleach

Is that Bobby Ball with his head in the car?

Not sure 🤔

[JAH]

Originally Posted by djinvicta

So so sad, a lovely friendly man, that always stopped for a chat. We used to use his viewing box on the pit straight. He never charged and always promoted our race cars.
Shocked..
My condolences to all the Family.

Does anyone have details of Brian’s funeral arrangements, I’m living in Italy and would like to send a floral tribute if appropriate?

[Rikki Cann]

Very sad news, RIP Brian.

[Paulaweybridge]

Here are details of Brian’s funeral later today

https://brscc.co.uk/details-of-brian-jones-funeral/

[Paulaweybridge]

A place to leave your memories of this wonderful man

https://www.funeralguide.co.uk/obitu...AF5rni8IjNmPQ8

[Paulaweybridge]

You can also watch his funeral service starting at 1.15pm

Originally Posted by Paulaweybridge

A place to leave your memories of this wonderful man

https://www.funeralguide.co.uk/obitu...AF5rni8IjNmPQ8

[Paulaweybridge]

That was a lovely service just now.

May Brian, John Smith, John Nicol and other legends of Brands Hatch who are sadly no longer with us, be enjoying a pint, a glass or two at that race circuit in the sky. Rest in Peace gentleman, you will always be remembered xx

Paula Hamilton

[Paulaweybridge]

If you missed the service today, you can log in here and watch it in around 3 days time.

https://www.obitus.com/

And use this Username: Moza 9591
and Password: 521117