Bank holiday Monday, 21/04/2025, marked the twentieth anniversary of the death of Gerry Marshall, one of the most influential tin-top drivers in history. Rest in peace, Gerry, your legacy will never be forgotten.
In the 1970s, Marshall raced a series of Bill Blydenstein-prepared Vauxhalls, Marshall's choice of manufacturer for a long part of his career. He would find himself in everything from a Magnum to a monstrous Ventora, which is better known in the racing world as Big Bertha. It was this incredible piece of machinery that led to Marshall leaving an untouchable legacy on Touring Car fans and Motorsport lovers around the world.
Gerry grinning ear-to-ear, thrashing his DTV Baby Bertha. Image: Vauxhall Media Site
Rewinding time to 1971, Marshall won the first-ever Ford Escort Mexico Championship, beating future Formula 1 World Champion Jody Scheckter, and went on to enjoy success in the British Saloon Car Championship and the gruelling Tour of Britain events.
Marshall's biggest accident occurred at the support meeting for the 1979 British Grand Prix. Marshall managed to flip a Triumph Dolomite Sprint, leaving the big guy seriously injured and stuck in a hospital bed. The injuries Marshall sustained, specifically to his back, would be lifelong. However, he didn't let those prevent him from racing and winning for another two decades, leading right up to his death at Silverstone in 2005.
Marshall was travelling at over 100 mph; the Triumph was thrown into the catch fence, and Marshall was lucky to survive. The force of the impact ripped the helmet from Marshall's head, whilst still intact and fastened, and the mountings of the Triumph's seat had broken. This would launch Marshall around the cockpit of the car, unprotected. He was knocked unconscious, had severe lacerations to his face and head, needing over 100 stitches, had three fractures to his skull, cracked ribs, damaged jaw, teeth, kidneys and damage to his back and spine.
Gerry Marshall's works Group 1 RS2000. Image: Classic Ford Magazine
Marshall's contribution to British motorsport extends far beyond his numerous championships and race wins. Gerry Marshall was a fantastic ambassador for both the BRDC and motorsport as a whole, right up to the end. In 2002, he was awarded the Gold Medal by the British Automobile Racing Club in recognition of his outstanding contributions to British Motorsport; the first saloon car driver to be presented with the honour.
Internationally, Marshall excelled on his very rare excursion from the shores of the United Kingdom. Marshall managed a second place in the Spa 24 Hours in 1977, sharing a Vauxhall Magnum with Australian legend Peter Brock was the high point of his international career.
Gerry Marshall's 1971 Vauxhall Firenza Competition Saloon 'Old Nail'. Image: Bonhams
With such a massive personality, Gerry Marshall left behind a stunning legacy and a heavy imprint on British Motorsport and the international touring car scene as well. Goodwood runs the Gerry Marshall Memorial Trophy in memory of the great racer, but he was taken too soon at the Silverstone circuit in 2005.
Do you have any memories of Gerry Marshall? Let us know in the comments down below!
Gerry Marshall
Born in November of 1941, Marshall began his racing career in a one-litre Mini Cooper in 1964. He would soon advance up the touring car ladderIn the 1970s, Marshall raced a series of Bill Blydenstein-prepared Vauxhalls, Marshall's choice of manufacturer for a long part of his career. He would find himself in everything from a Magnum to a monstrous Ventora, which is better known in the racing world as Big Bertha. It was this incredible piece of machinery that led to Marshall leaving an untouchable legacy on Touring Car fans and Motorsport lovers around the world.
Gerry grinning ear-to-ear, thrashing his DTV Baby Bertha. Image: Vauxhall Media Site
Rewinding time to 1971, Marshall won the first-ever Ford Escort Mexico Championship, beating future Formula 1 World Champion Jody Scheckter, and went on to enjoy success in the British Saloon Car Championship and the gruelling Tour of Britain events.
Marshall's biggest accident occurred at the support meeting for the 1979 British Grand Prix. Marshall managed to flip a Triumph Dolomite Sprint, leaving the big guy seriously injured and stuck in a hospital bed. The injuries Marshall sustained, specifically to his back, would be lifelong. However, he didn't let those prevent him from racing and winning for another two decades, leading right up to his death at Silverstone in 2005.
Marshall was travelling at over 100 mph; the Triumph was thrown into the catch fence, and Marshall was lucky to survive. The force of the impact ripped the helmet from Marshall's head, whilst still intact and fastened, and the mountings of the Triumph's seat had broken. This would launch Marshall around the cockpit of the car, unprotected. He was knocked unconscious, had severe lacerations to his face and head, needing over 100 stitches, had three fractures to his skull, cracked ribs, damaged jaw, teeth, kidneys and damage to his back and spine.
Gerry Marshall's works Group 1 RS2000. Image: Classic Ford Magazine
Marshall's contribution to British motorsport extends far beyond his numerous championships and race wins. Gerry Marshall was a fantastic ambassador for both the BRDC and motorsport as a whole, right up to the end. In 2002, he was awarded the Gold Medal by the British Automobile Racing Club in recognition of his outstanding contributions to British Motorsport; the first saloon car driver to be presented with the honour.
Internationally, Marshall excelled on his very rare excursion from the shores of the United Kingdom. Marshall managed a second place in the Spa 24 Hours in 1977, sharing a Vauxhall Magnum with Australian legend Peter Brock was the high point of his international career.
Gerry's passing
In 2005, Marshall was testing the ex-Richard Petty's IROC Chevrolet Camaro at Silverstone when he pulled over at the side of the circuit, feeling very unwell, and shortly passed away of a heart-related illness. Marshall had been struggling with ill health ever since his major accident, also at Silverstone.Gerry Marshall's 1971 Vauxhall Firenza Competition Saloon 'Old Nail'. Image: Bonhams
With such a massive personality, Gerry Marshall left behind a stunning legacy and a heavy imprint on British Motorsport and the international touring car scene as well. Goodwood runs the Gerry Marshall Memorial Trophy in memory of the great racer, but he was taken too soon at the Silverstone circuit in 2005.
Do you have any memories of Gerry Marshall? Let us know in the comments down below!
