Campaigning his own Formula 2 Cooper-Climax, Marsh entered the 1957 and ’58 German Grands Prix, and participated in two more World Championship starts in his self-prepared Lotus 18 in 1961

Hillclimbing great and Grand Prix privateer Anthony ‘Tony’ Earnest Marsh died on May 7. He was 77. The Stourbridge-born all-rounder used his considerable ability to succeed in activities as disparate as shooting and hydroplane racing. A talented pilot, yachtsman and winter sportsman, he’s best remembered for his remarkable string of successes in the British Hillclimb Championship.

He claimed a hat-trick of titles aboard a Cooper-JAP in 1955-57 while tackling the occasional race and rally. He scored a further three consecutive titles in 1965-67, this time at the wheel of his self-built, four-wheel-drive Marsh Special. In the interim, he competed at Le Mans and showed form trackside in single-seaters.

Campaigning his own Formula 2 Cooper-Climax, Marsh entered the 1957 and ’58 German Grands Prix, and participated in two more World Championship starts in his self-prepared Lotus 18 in 1961. A year later he switched to what was purportedly a ‘works-assisted’ BRM only for the deal to end in rancour. After repeated problems with cracked bellhousings and cylinder blocks, he initiated legal proceedings against the Bourne firm after only four non-championship starts.

At the end of 1967, Marsh retired from motor sport. His competitive instincts were now sated with sailing and ski bobbing. Tempted back to speed events in the late ’80s, he displayed real flair aboard his rejuvenated Marsh Special before a switch to more modern chassis. Shy but never remote, his presence in the close-knit hillclimbing community will be missed.