2012 BTCC - Who will be Ben Edwards' Replacement on ITV4?

[Mp3 Astra]

Merry Christmas everybody.

With Ben Edwards stepping down (https://twitter.com/#!/bennythebulb/status/149057299388960768) from BTCC commentary to take on BBC1's F1 coverage (http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2011/12/13/ben-edwards-join-bbc-commentary-team/), who will be his replacement on ITV4? I can't find any rumours anywhere, so let's start some!

I'm going to hazard a guess and say John Hindhaugh of Radio le Mans fame, only because he replaced Ben for several events in 2009/10. Who else has the potential to be the main commentator for ITV?

[BDunnell]

I'm going to hazard a guess and say John Hindhaugh of Radio le Mans fame, only because he replaced Ben for several events in 2009/10. Who else has the potential to be the main commentator for ITV?

Goodness, I hope it's not. I couldn't bear the BTCC commentaries he did in Ben Edwards' place in 2008.

[Mp3 Astra]

Goodness, I hope it's not. I couldn't bear the BTCC commentaries he did in Ben Edwards' place in 2008.

2008? Wow, time flies. Yes, I agree - I did not enjoy his commentary for the races he did - the main problem is that he hadn't really done his homework and therefore didn't know much about the context of what was taking place, and very often missed important action, and failed to recognise or spot the difference between cars and drivers. If he were to take over, I imagine he would do more background work.

[Captain VXR]

I would absolutely love to have Brian Blessed as a commentator.

[BDunnell]

2008? Wow, time flies. Yes, I agree - I did not enjoy his commentary for the races he did - the main problem is that he hadn't really done his homework and therefore didn't know much about the context of what was taking place, and very often missed important action, and failed to recognise or spot the difference between cars and drivers. If he were to take over, I imagine he would do more background work.

That, and his voice. I'm all for hearing regional accents on TV, but his grated somewhat with me, I'm sorry to say.

[inimitablestoo]

I love John on the Radio Le Mans broadcasts, but that's clearly his main passion and I don't think he was suited to the TOCA supports when he did them. Besides, his commentary style rather suits the longer-distance races like Le Mans, where excitement does occur, but not every other corner, and there's more time for analysis and informal chat.

It wouldn't surprise me if they promoted Richard John Neil from the TOCA support commentaries, and/or even Simon Hill - two ex-drivers didn't work too badly for F1 on the BBC this year. Although I think Tim Harvey and Simon work best as foils for the main commentator, and I would be expecting Simon to be trying to sell me potatoes at two bob a pound (it's a voice thing).

[Mp3 Astra]

It wouldn't surprise me if they promoted Richard John Neil from the TOCA support commentaries, and/or even Simon Hill - two ex-drivers didn't work too badly for F1 on the BBC this year. Although I think Tim Harvey and Simon work best as foils for the main commentator, and I would be expecting Simon to be trying to sell me potatoes at two bob a pound (it's a voice thing).

That's actually a very good point. Richard did a pretty good job with the support races, and when he and Simon Hill got together, it made for great TV - their banter was very funny at times. I hope they keep Tim Harvey - he really knows his stuff, and his high-pitched excited voice makes me smile!

[wedge]

Hindy isn't a huge fan of BTCC.

It's like asking Martin Haven to do F1.

[AlexClarkeCCFC]

Was never a huge fan of Ben's - so I'm not that fussed.

Would love to see Barry Nutley commentating again (remember he did a few in 97?) or Charlie!

[Allyc85]

I would like Charlie Cox back as his style suits action packed racing, while Moto GP has become a bit dull in the last year or 2 and isnt really his natural subject!

[inimitablestoo]

This being ITV, there is enough time between now and the start of the season for a Simon Cowell-run talent show to find the next commentator. So my money's on the 22-year-old shop assistant with the tragic back story.

[Dave B]

And with ten rounds to commentate on, they'd have a longer career than the standard X-factor winner!

[Glamtax Motorsport]

I hope its not Phil Glew :(

[Eurotech]

I hope its not Phil Glew :(

Or Lawrence Tomlinson, Kelvin Burt or most of the other drivers who have commentated (excluding Tim ofc)

[Tixy54]

You've obviously been watching a different MotoGP championship to me, I don't think it's become dull. Perhaps because Rossi isn't winning everything some people think it's dull. With Ben Spies, Cal Crutchlow, Alvaro Bautista et al, coming through I think it can only improve. Charlie Cox is a brilliant motor sport commentator, some of his comments have me in tears of laughter, but I think that he should stay with Stavros in MotoGP.

[Tixy54]

What about Jeremy Clarkson-he knows nothing about nothing anyway. On a serious note, Steve Soper, John McCleland could do a good job, but I think the man for the job (if he would want it) is Patrick Watts

[Rollo]

i would absolutely love to have brian blessed as a commentator.

i agree with your suggestion and have sent him a tweet

[Tixy54]

I would absolutely love to have Brian Blessed as a commentator.


I love this idea - good one

[MrJan]

You've obviously been watching a different MotoGP championship to me, I don't think it's become dull. Perhaps because Rossi isn't winning everything some people think it's dull. With Ben Spies, Cal Crutchlow, Alvaro Bautista et al, coming through I think it can only improve. Charlie Cox is a brilliant motor sport commentator, some of his comments have me in tears of laughter, but I think that he should stay with Stavros in MotoGP.

Not wanting to derail the thread but the 800cc era of MotoGP has been shockingly bad compared to the old 990s. I remember a race at Brno when Capirossi won by 8 seconds (think it was 8), at that time it was unheard of for a race to be won by such a large margin. Now the races are all but over before halfway, the reason it can only improve is because it can't get much worse than it has been for the last 3 or 4 seasons.

Anyway, not sure on your suggestion of Patrick Watts, not sure how he'd fare as a commentator. I had the privilege of meeting him at a hillclimb last year and he spent all day happily chatting to people, and not just about himself, he spent a good 10 minutes asking me and my old man about how car and motorsport in general. Top bloke but not convinced he's the right commentator.

Getting Charlie Cox back is my favourite suggestion so far, I'm not usually keen on ex-drivers being commentators but Charlie was great when he did it last time round. As for BARRY NUTLEY, well his voice just does my head in :D

[nik]

Barry Nutley? Ah yes, the man who belched live on air during round 12 in '97. :D

....and I can't imagin John Cleland and Tim Harvey sharing a small commentary box together.

One vote for John Watson.

[Iain]

Getting Charlie Cox back is my favourite suggestion so far, I'm not usually keen on ex-drivers being commentators but Charlie was great when he did it last time round.

I was watching some Australian super touring races on YouTube the other day and the commentator was a guy called Darrell Eastlake. And from what I heard, Charlie seems to have based his style on him.

Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk

[Allyc85]

Today it was announced that Toby Moody of Eutrosport fame will be the new lead commentator for the BTCC :D :D

Toby Moody to commentate on BTCC for ITV - BTCC news - AUTOSPORT.com (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97555)

Really happy with their choice as ive been a big fan of his commentary since ive been watching Moto Gp on Eurosport!

[wedge]

Today it was announced that Toby Moody of Eutrosport fame will be the new lead commentator for the BTCC :D :D

Toby Moody to commentate on BTCC for ITV - BTCC news - AUTOSPORT.com (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97555)

Really happy with their choice as ive been a big fan of his commentary since ive been watching Moto Gp on Eurosport!

I find it a bit odd - a bit like Charlie Cox doing MotoGP.

No disrespect to Toby because he is a hell of a commentator and the commentary for Silverstone Classic is a testament to his enthusiasm for motorsport. But again no disrespect it feels a bit like a step down since BTCC gets flack for being Premier League Banger Racing.

[Mp3 Astra]

Not heard Toby before, but after having a listen on YouTube, I think this could be a good choice. He seems excitable and passionate, and that's all I really want from a commentator. I want them to put me in the moment, and understand the significance of every manoeuvre. Looking forward to seeing how he does.

[MrJan]

Few races in and I have to say that I'd rather they'd bumped Simon Hill up to the space, Moody just gets so much wrong and watching the Porsches at Oulton today Hill is having to keep correcting something that Moody's saying. For example Glyn Geddy (or whatever he's called) being shown facing the wrong way and then a ProAm 2 driver being shown also off and Moody saying that they must have had contact, despite the fact that they were at opposite ends of the grid. Also a guy spinning at the chicane and Moody praising the camera man for not leaving his post when it was clearly a remote operated boom.

He's not awful and there are worse choices, I just think that Hill does a better job and is immersed in the TOCA package that means he has a better understanding of what's actually going on.

[BDunnell]

Few races in and I have to say that I'd rather they'd bumped Simon Hill up to the space, Moody just gets so much wrong and watching the Porsches at Oulton today Hill is having to keep correcting something that Moody's saying. For example Glyn Geddy (or whatever he's called) being shown facing the wrong way and then a ProAm 2 driver being shown also off and Moody saying that they must have had contact, despite the fact that they were at opposite ends of the grid. Also a guy spinning at the chicane and Moody praising the camera man for not leaving his post when it was clearly a remote operated boom.

He's not awful and there are worse choices, I just think that Hill does a better job and is immersed in the TOCA package that means he has a better understanding of what's actually going on.

I agree with all of that. Simon Hill would be far better, and deserves the chance. He's doing an excellent job as co-commentator today.

[Iain]

Indeed. And he can string a coherent sentence together, unlike Harvey most of the time. A good co-commentator.

[JasonPotato]

I personally would love to see Tim Harvey and Charlie Cox commentating. Charlie Cox was great to listen to back in the day, his commentary brought a funny side to it. I would prefer anyone over this Moody who really hasn't cut it so far, always calling cars by the wrong driver.

[Brown, Jon Brow]

I'd like an option to have no commentator. I don't want to sound big-headed at all but most of the time I think I spot things before the commentators do.

[Allyc85]

As a Moto GP commentator Toby moody is brilliant along side Julian Ryder and barely ever makes a mistake, but in the BTCC it has been totally different sadly. He seems to change his style for the BTCC and still makes a fair few basic errors that he should have gotten over by now!

[Iain]

I'd like an option to have no commentator. I don't want to sound big-headed at all but most of the time I think I spot things before the commentators do.

I'd like the option of circuit commentary online again. Ahh the old days of watching still images on a webcam of the Granada Sport feed, Radio Toca playing and following the times on MST.

[Dave B]

I'd like an option to have no commentator. I don't want to sound big-headed at all but most of the time I think I spot things before the commentators do.
Trivially easy to do via the red button if ITV could be bothered.

[Eurotech]

Interestingly, last weekend was the first time we haven't had either Ben Edwards or Tim Harvey commentating on a BTCC race since the Brands finale of 2001...

I would like Charlie Cox returning as his design matches activity loaded rushing, while Talkabout GP has become a bit boring in the last season or 2 and is not really his organic subject!
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