Marshall, Gerry (Gerald Dallas Royston)

[COLIN STUBBS]

Anyone who was brought up in 1960s/70s racing wont forget the big man. My earliest and best memories are pushbiking to Cadwell to watch a round of the Forward Trust saloon championship round about 1970, when Gerry had an altercation with Dave Brodie in the "Run Baby Run" Escort, which if memory serves me right ended up in someone getting punted off and laying in wait until resuming the battle on the next lap, which carried on in the paddock afterwards. Also that day Robin Gray stuffed the Martin V8 Escort into the Charlies tyrewall, but that's another story!

[Ladders 22]

I met Gerry while testing at Goodwood. Now being only 14 he didn't seem that much of a legend to me at that time, he came over to speak to me about how I was doing and what my hopes were for the future. Now I know what he has done, he is a legend to me and always will be.

[John Turner]

There are hundreds (literally) of big omissions from the Drivers File forum and Gerry Marshall is surely one of them. I have taken a few posts from the Tribute thread and edited them to include mainly memories, but, for the most part, taken out pure tributes. You can read all the tributes to Gerry here:-

http://tentenths.com/forum/showthrea...Gerry+Marshall

I watched Gerry Marshall on many occasions mainly when he was driving the Marshplant Astons. Always fast, always competitive, and usually spectacular as well. There must be many stories of Gerry out there; some may even be printable on here, so come on, guys, let's hear them. And Gregor, maybe you can put a few dates to outline some of your Dad's career.

[GBRM]

Great to see a thread dedicated to my late Dad on here, he would be extremely proud and embarassed too!!

I look forward to hearing people's cooments and stories and to let you know there is a new book on Dad's motor-racing being written at the moment, watch this space!!

[vxr]

the man was simply a GENIUS.

[GBRM]

Originally Posted by vxr

the man was simply a GENIUS.

He wasn't much cop with quantum physics but most other subjects he was pretty good with.

P.S. Very kind of you to say and Dad would be very proud, especially from a Vauxhall person.

[terence]

I first met Gerry back in 1975,he often had various cars that my ex boss wanted and bought from Gerry.Over the years he became a very good friend who was always more than happy to help anyone.As has already been said,he was very big hearted as a lot of the old team found out.One tale Gerry told me of was while he and Brocky were doing Spa 24hr,Gerry had the first stint which was nice and dry,but just towards the end of the stint it started to drizzle.Gerry came in to hand over and Brocky questioned wether they should be on wets,Gerrys reply was that the tyres were great,nice and hot and really not a problem.On this advice Brock took off,only to spin coming down out of La Source,fortunatly not hitting the wall or anything else!.Next lap he came in to a waiting Gerry,wound the window down and asked" Is it time for the wets yet?" My own favorite memory was at a very wet Snetterton at the Bomb Hole in Baby Bertha,Gerry got a fantastic start and came round on his own,set the car up for a nice sideways moment,one handed and wiping the screen with the other!.Gerry,it was a huge pleasure.

[drivers71]

Apart from his 'larger than life' and jovial reputation, it's easy to forget that Gerry was indeed SOME driver. Having been weaned during the 70s at Mallory Park, his was always the name I wanted to see on the entry list, and he never failed to deliver value for money, whatever he was driving. Later, when I saw him in so many different types of cars, and generally excell in them, I began to understand just what a great driver he was, while always willing to share a few stories with a youngster. Still sadly missed, but so fondly remembered.
A series of photos from Mallory, taken on consecutive laps at the Esses, in 1974. You don't need additional comments:

[GORDON STREETER]

I remember at a dinner dance several years ago Gerry was sitting at the bar (realy ! ) and brought me a pint. He then instead of talking about motor racing eyed up the different ages of females coming in and occasionally would say I've xxxxxed her !!!!!!

[ianric]

I remember the SOB who cost me a result at Mallory Park. He was coming round to lap me as we got to the line. I was sure he had overtaken me as I took the chequered flag. The trouble was he had held back at the line. I ended up unclassified. I seem to remember he had a hand in my accident at Mallory again.

That aside he was a gent and a real dream to watch race. Big and Little Bertha were some great cars and to see him on the limit through Paddock Hill was something else.

[GBRM]

Happy B'day Dad - glad you're still upsetting people, even now!!

[Mike Sheraton]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GERRY.
nice to see you online gregor

[GBRM]

Thanks Mike - I very rarely get time to visit 10/10ths these days but with the day off today I caught up on some stuff, plus I always arrange a lunch for Dad's friends around his birthday - got 25 of us out on Friday - I don't look forward to managing and playing for my Saturday team the next day - glad Dad isn't around to watch me make a mess of it!! LOL!!
If you're in the old town on Friday or Potten End on Saturday then let me know.

[Mike Sheraton]

well i'm always around, hemels not the biggest of places
and good luck with your saturday team what is itt??

[GBRM]

Well if you're about there's 22 racing drivers (well, 21 and me!!) going for lunch in the Old Town to celebrate Dad's birthday - I arrange it every year.
Saturday is football, in latter years Dad would come and watch, well, when I say watch I mean meet me in the pub afterwards - he hated football!!

[Mike Sheraton]

ahh great, who's going ?
also whats the name of the team, i play football too for a team in berkhamsted, at berko town stadium

[GBRM]

What's your e-mail Mike?
I don't want Mr Turner getting unhappy with off topic chats!!

[John Turner]

Since, it's you Gregor, I'll live with it! I might move some of the above out to another GM thread though! It would be good to get some more anecdotes about Gerry on here; this is the 'Drivers Files'!

[GBRM]

Thanks John!!

[keith andrews]

Gerry was a great friend of the late John Burbidge (E type Mod. Sports Champion), GM used to wrangle JB by offering him driving and racing lessons.
At Goodwood Revival some years ago I ended up a panel puller when urgent repairs were needed to the front end of a Lotus Cortina, even then the repairs were hilarious and entertaining.
Larger than life and so skilled it was painful for other mortals!