John Surtees My Hero

[Supersonic]

Former Formula 1 and motorcycling world champion John Surtees has died at the age of 83.

Surtees is the only man to have won the grand prix world championship on both two wheels and four.

He won four 500cc motorcycling titles - in 1956, 1958, 1959 and 1960 - and the F1 crown with Ferrari in 1964.

John in my view was a true motorsport great and a gentleman first and foremost.

RIP John

[surfblue63]

That is sad news. In interviews he always came across as a decent fellow.

[spoon.450]

Sad news...last year we ( Bridgecraft ) machined some Manx Norton Works spec cambox assemblies for John.

[mab01uk]

As the only man to win a world championship on two wheels and four he should have been given a knighthood......

Where is the 'Sir' in John Surtees?
http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/opini ... hn-surtees

Absence of a John Surtees knighthood remains a minor national disgrace:-
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/ ... hn-surtees

"During a motorcycle career which saw him race for Norton and MV Augusta, he also became the first man to win the Senior TT on the Isle of Man three years in succession. He started over 100 grands prix, winning six, in a career which took him to Ferrari, Cooper and Honda, as well as starting a team which bore his name.
In 2009 his son Henry was killed while competing in a Formula Two race at Brands Hatch, aged 18, when he was struck on the head by a wheel which had become detached from another car. The Henry Surtees Award was launched in his memory by the family in 2010 to be awarded annually for the most outstanding performance by a rising motor racer. John Surtees was awarded the CBE in the 2016 New Year Honours for services to motorsport."

[Old English White]

Another hero of my youth gone. He always seemed a very modest man and a true enthusiast right to the end. Astonishing skill - not to mention bravery - to race both bikes and cars in those dangerous times to such success. He had quite a collection of cars and bikes didn't he.
One of the true GREATS! RIP John Surtees.

[rich@minispares.com]

a proper gentleman

I struggle to think of many of todays 'superstars' behaving with the well mannered dignity that john surtees did

[turbocox]

I always admired Mr Surtees, for his achievements, and the way he conducted himself as a true gentleman from another time.


He always seemed to have time to listen, and a give genuine reply to questions with humour and a smile.

I only had the very briefest of meetings in the middle of the car park at work.

I'd just spent five minutes warming up the Cox in my parking spot. I reversed out, and started to trundle round to the exit opposite reception. I shuffled around in my seat as I did, and looked down briefly to adjust the belt to make myself feel more comfy, (which caused a slight prod on the accelerator).
I looked back up out the screen to see two people walk out from behind a minibus the first one walking backwards not looking and talking to the other, they wasn't aware that I was heading right for both of them, as they were so engrossed in conversation.

I stamped on the brakes to the sound of screeching tyres, the first person, unsteadely spun around to see my eyes bulging out of their sockets.

Yep that was my encounter with Mr Surtees, he held his hands up and mouthed I'm really sorry, he had been talking to Jackie Stewart, who also acknowledged that I'd managed not to take him out.




As you say rich, I also find it very hard to believe the likes, of the very self important L Hamilton, will earn the respect that we have for the likes of Mr Surtees.

A Knighthood,,,, yes he should have gotten one, aswell as Donald Campbell.

John is the only man to win on 2 and 4 wheels and Donald is the only man to have broken the world land a water speed record in the same year.
If you look at some of those who are awarded now days, it doesn't add up.

I think some great people were cheated, as far as Im concerned.

Rip Mr Surtees.

[Polarsilver]

John Surtees could be seen at the Beaulieu auto jumble ferreting around the stalls.
I also thought that TV show with Paul Hollywood talking to the legend was a good hour of TV & highlighted the true John Surtees.
John Surtees .. the one man who told Enzo Ferrari what he thought of him and his team manager!
I also suspect that John Surtees was the one person who did not give a dam about a knighthood?
RIP John Surtees.

[Pete]

I also thought that TV show with Paul Hollywood talking to the legend was a good hour of TV & highlighted the true John Surtees.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DntYryFFjI

[Red Mist]

Came across this great photo today of John with Mike Hailwood at a Formula 5000 race in Mondello 1969 while they lean on a Mini!

Funnily enough, this picture has also solved a mystery for me as the Mk2 I recently rescued has a partial sticker on the rear windscreen saying 'Another New...' and it was killing me not knowing what the rest of it said!

[rich@minispares.com]

the sticker is so embarrassed it allowed the 'austin' bit to peel off

I bet had it been a Morris one it would still be stuck on

[Red Mist]

the sticker is so embarrassed it allowed the 'austin' bit to peel off

I bet had it been a Morris one it would still be stuck on

I just love the irony of the word 'new' being on my car when it looks like this!

[Supersonic]

Came across this great photo today of John with Mike Hailwood at a Formula 5000 race in Mondello 1969 while they lean on a Mini!

Funnily enough, this picture has also solved a mystery for me as the Mk2 I recently rescued has a partial sticker on the rear windscreen saying 'Another New...' and it was killing me not knowing what the rest of it said!

Thanks for posting that photograph Neil, two great men both now gone. Here is a photograph I took about 30 years ago at the Ulster Grand Prix with my mate Graham talking with John Surtees.

Alan

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