And there goes Murray Walker

He loves everything about the sport that helped to make him a household name - and he is quick to jump to its defence if anyone dares to say that in recent months it has become just a teensy, weensy bit boring as Ferrari win nearly every single race with an unswerving regularity.

But as Murray prepared to meet his adoring fans at a book-signing for his autobiography Unless I'm Very Much Mistaken - at least a couple of hundred were queuing from the entrance of the Tesco's store at Bursledon right round to the chill cabinets full of pizzas and fresh pasta - he decided to put me right on a few things.

His defence of the sport lasted a good five minutes or so, delivered at characteristic breakneck speed - and went something like this.

"There is no such thing as a boring Grand Prix. There is always drama and excitement if you know where to look - and I do know where to look.

"The reason people think it is boring is because Ferrari and Schumacher have been winning virtually all the races recently. Having been in an abyss for many years they have got their act together and they have the right people doing the right jobs - they have the right car and the world's best driver.

"But it has always been like this in Formula One. One team has always been dominant but it won't stay the same team. Ferrari will be caught and overtaken by somebody probably McLaren or Williams - I don't know which one or when but it will happen.

"People should realise that Schumacher is a living genius the like of which you see very seldom. He is the number two of all time - Fangio was the greatest - and people who are seeing Schumacher now have the luxury of seeing a genius who in years to come people will talk about with bated breath in the same way I talk about Nuvolari - a pre-war racing driver who is legendary.

"And that's why, (short pause) Formula One is not boring."

By this stage steam was coming from my pen, Murray was in top gear and there was no stopping him. My interjections for clarification on a couple of points were treated like a couple of pesky chicanes - and Murray manoeuvred round them keeping his eye on the open road ahead.

I was fully expecting him to leap to his feet and conduct the rest of the interview standing - this after all was how he covered all the 384 Grand Prixs he commentated on during his 50-year career in broadcasting.

Having recovered from this initial verbal onslaught, I somewhat timidly inquired whether Murray minded much that he is perhaps best know for his on-air gaffs as much as his encyclopaedic knowledge of the sport.

Classic lines such as 'There's nothing wrong with the car in front except it's on fire' and 'The car in front is absolutely unique except for the one behind which is identical' have helped to make him a legend in live broadcasting.

And who can forget that memorable occasion when Nigel Mansell suffered a bump to his head that had swollen to head-pounding proportions. You could almost see the lump throbbing - as if it had been drawn by an artist from the Tom and Jerry cartoons - and what does Murray do? He prods it with his finger, of course.

With a smile, he said: "I don't mind at all - it's me and that's the way I am.

"These so-called 'Murrayisms' appear to endear me to people and not turn people off.

"I'm gigantically enthusiastic about the sport that I love and when I stand up to commentate for the whole race the words pour out of me.

"I am in a state of great excitement and sometimes the words come out in the wrong order or there is a malapropism or incorrect identification of a car.

"I'm a human being and all human beings make mistakes."

Murray was introduced to motorsport as a young lad by his father Graham, a motorcycle champion and BBC commentator - and he honed his turbocharged commentary over 24 years.

His grandmother lived in Banister Road, Southampton and Murray enjoys the irony that she complained bitterly about the noise from the nearby speedway track, especially as both he and his father earned their living from racing bikes.

"It was certainly an unusual childhood," writes Murray in his autobiography.

"Where the fathers of other children went to work in the morning, came home in the evening and were home at the weekends, mine was forever disappearing to race on the Continent, soon to reappear with some massive trophy, for he was very much one of the top men of his day."

He voices regret that he was not more impressed by the achievements of his father who wore himself out editing a motorcycle magazine and recruiting despatch riders for the Army in Second World War, smoked too much and died in 1962 at only 66 years of age.

"I'd give my eye teeth to have been with my father at an age of understanding and appreciation when he was racing but as a young and developing child I just didn't realise how lucky I was...

"But I thought it was great when, as a result of it, I went to places like Holland, Spain, Germany and France to be with him at one of the Grand Prixs. None of my friends did that."

A hard-working man, Murray had a career in advertising that ran parallel to his commentary work for nearly 40 years. He was involved in the creation of such famous slogans as 'Trill makes budgies bounce with health' and 'Esso - put a tiger in your tank.'

But it is for his work with Formula One that Murray is best known.

Ask him to recount some of the highlights of his career and another barrage of words is unleashed.

"It's difficult to single out particular events.

"But Nigel Mansell winning the World Championship in 1992 and Damon Hill in 1996 would be up there, along with interviewing Fangio and Enzio Ferrari.

"Having Stirling Moss as a personal friend and being privileged to know Mike Hailwood, the greatest motorcyclist ever in my opinion - these are all important to me."

At the end of 2001 Murray announced his retirement. A dapper, fit-looking man in his denim jacket and beige slacks, Murray has all the drive and enthusiasm of a man half his age - in fact it's difficult to believe he is 79-years-old. He wanted to go out while he was still on top and he plans to spend his retirement with wife Elizabeth working just as hard as he ever has.

They have a home in the New Forest - and the pair enjoy keeping fit at the exclusive Chewton Glen Hotel near New Milton.

"The Forest is a lovely place to live. I've got deer in my garden as well as foxes and rabbits - and those bloody squirrels as well," he said.

"I've just done a big video that will be launched in November and I will be taking part in the Targa Tasmania Rally next year.

"I am booked to do a lecture tour on a cruise ship - and I'm going to Abu Dabi to lecture as well, that's if we don't go to war."

With that, the interview was over and Murray was off out of the room, tearing down the corridor to greet the line of patient fans keen to see the great man himself.

And to borrow an oft-used Murrayism, unless I'm very much mistaken, he won't be applying the brakes to his life for a good while yet.