Broadcasters Mike Raymond and Garry Wilkinson will reflect on the Seven Network’s golden era of motorsport broadcasting in the latest Shannons Legends of Motorsport episode.
Produced by Neil Crompton’s AirTime Media Group before a studio audience at Seven’s Melbourne studios, the episode details the development of Racecam in 1979 and how in-car communication followed with Peter Williamson, Dick Johnson, Peter Brock and Allan Grice.
Raymond pays tribute to Geoff Healey, Seven’s former director of engineering and Allan Tyson, the then managing director of ATN7, who strongly supported the commentator’s push to introduce the V8 Ford versus Holden touring car category in 1993.
During the era, Seven also bought rights to the Le Mans 24 Hour, Spa 24 Hour, Coke World 600 from Charlotte, the European Touring Car Championship rounds from Monza, Donington and Silverstone plus the Wellington 500 touring car street race in New Zealand.
Raymond, awarded the Order of Australia in the Queen’s 1996 birthday honours for services to sport and television, helped to shape and develop the career of Neil Crompton, who he noted as ‘the best motor sport talent’ on the commercial television ladder.
He also brought funnyman Doug Mulray to Bathurst, an unconventional move that rocked the establishment.
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UK commentators Richard and Neville Hay, noted American broadcaster, the late Chris Economaki, Mark Oastler and Andy Raymond, now colour commentator on Fox Sport’s rugby league and boxing broadcasts, also played major roles on the Seven motorsport stage.
Co-hosted by Bill Woods and Aaron Noonan, the latest Shannons Motorsport Legends show screens on 7Mate at 2.00pm on Saturday.
Watch a preview of the episode below
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