I remember reading about him in a book I did a report on in grade school. I think Parnelli Jones or Johnny Rutherford did the foreward. Got me hooked on racing.
Was that book called Daredevils of the Speedway? Forward by Johnny Parsons. I had the book in grade school as well. Still have it. I remember the chapter, Bobby Marshman: Born to Loose? It made a deep impression on me.
Marshman in fact, ran Clark down in 64 then blew his doors off. He immediately opened up a huge lead when he bottomed that lotus out. Chris Economaki commented that "he never thought Jim Clark was as good as everyone made him out to be." Clark was smooth and fast out front but he also enjoyed a big advantage with Chapman's Lotus chassis. A controversial comment to be sure as Clark sure knew what to do with good equipment.
That would be true. Dupont had only just started developing Nomex in 1964 and it didn't go on sale for another couple of years. We take things like that and full-face helmets for granted nowadays, remember that in those days motor racing was DANGEROUS and the consequences of accidents was frequently death.
It's great that you reminisce about the racers from the earlier days of Indy and USAC Robin. I appreciate it so much. Mr. Marshman's death is tragic. One way he will live on is through people like you sharing experiences and stories such as this... Thank you for sharing it. Off topic- I'd love to hear anything you know about the Novi. That engine makes the little hair that I have left stand up when I hear it.
Actually, Bobby passed Jimmy Clark and was walking away with race, well before Clark fell out. Bobby was wicked fast in that Lotus, faster than Clark all month except on Pole Day.
Very sad. My mother is Janet Marshman and my brother is GRM Jr. I grew up listening to stories about Bobby both at home and in Indiana. A truly very good man. When I saw your post I asked Mom if he was wearing a fire suit. She said there was a man in Indianapolis that made them for the drivers and that is what he was wearing. I am sure his suit was not as sophisticated as the new suits, but it was the fire suit that was available at the time. I passed your comments on to Mom and they were very much appreciated.
I saw him race at Hatfield race track that his father owned in the late 50s
My dad and Bobby Marshman were close friends growing up.
I remember reading about him in a book I did a report on in grade school. I think Parnelli Jones or Johnny Rutherford did the foreward. Got me hooked on racing.
Was that book called Daredevils of the Speedway? Forward by Johnny Parsons. I had the book in grade school as well. Still have it. I remember the chapter, Bobby Marshman: Born to Loose? It made a deep impression on me.
@@toddcolinfew YES, that's the one!
Bobby Marshman drove for my Dad in The Ellis Brothers Sprint car in the URC series...I have a few of pictures of him in the car
Wow! That is awesome.
Marshman in fact, ran Clark down in 64 then blew his doors off. He immediately opened up a huge lead when he bottomed that lotus out. Chris Economaki commented that "he never thought Jim Clark was as good as everyone made him out to be." Clark was smooth and fast out front but he also enjoyed a big advantage with Chapman's Lotus chassis. A controversial comment to be sure as Clark sure knew what to do with good equipment.
That would be true. Dupont had only just started developing Nomex in 1964 and it didn't go on sale for another couple of years. We take things like that and full-face helmets for granted nowadays, remember that in those days motor racing was DANGEROUS and the consequences of accidents was frequently death.
It's great that you reminisce about the racers from the earlier days of Indy and USAC Robin. I appreciate it so much. Mr. Marshman's death is tragic. One way he will live on is through people like you sharing experiences and stories such as this...
Thank you for sharing it.
Off topic- I'd love to hear anything you know about the Novi. That engine makes the little hair that I have left stand up when I hear it.
There's an actual radio broadcast of Uncle Bobby's rookie run in the Novi on UA-cam. Type in Novi at Indy and you're bound to find it. You'll love it!
Actually, Bobby passed Jimmy Clark and was walking away with race, well before Clark fell out. Bobby was wicked fast in that Lotus, faster than Clark all month except on Pole Day.
Oh crap you already beat me to this comment. I said the same thing a minute ago "that Marshman blew Clark's doors off!"
It was said he wasn't wearing a fire suit during the testing session in Phoenix? was that true? If so,he probably be alive today if he wore it.
+andersport I can confirm that he was definitely wearing a fire suit.
+Andrew Woolley Ok I believe you.. It still sad he was killed.
Very sad. My mother is Janet Marshman and my brother is GRM Jr. I grew up listening to stories about Bobby both at home and in Indiana. A truly very good man. When I saw your post I asked Mom if he was wearing a fire suit. She said there was a man in Indianapolis that made them for the drivers and that is what he was wearing. I am sure his suit was not as sophisticated as the new suits, but it was the fire suit that was available at the time. I passed your comments on to Mom and they were very much appreciated.
@Andrew Woolley. Have you read the late Michael Argetsinger's book about Bobby?