Wildguzzi.com
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: oldbike54 on March 10, 2017, 10:30:30 AM
-
John Surtees dead at 83 .
Dusty
-
One of the true legends of racing. I got see him taking a parade lap around Barber Motosports Park a few years ago.
Bob
http://www.espn.com/f1/story/_/id/18872723/motor-racing-legend-john-surtees-dies-aged-83
-
Had the honor of meeting him several years ago at Barber after he rode the MV #1 around the track. Very personable gentleman.
-
A champion on two and four wheels, I recall. I believe he was Grand Master (may have the title wrong) at Vintage Days several years ago. RIP
-
Doubt there will ever be another 2/4 wheel world champion. Thanks for the heads up, Dusty.
-
I read his book some years ago - fascinating!
-
Yes, the only World Champion of both MC and car racing !! :bow: When I was a young lad I bought a pamphlet of his explaining the proper way to road race a MC (still have) which led me to amateur road racing in soCal a few years later with some success on Honda/Yamaha production street bikes in a race series by the ACA run by Wes Cooley's father.
I saw JS race a Ferrari @ Riverside Raceway once in the 60's. He was 1 of my idols then w/Dan Gurney.
-
I remember seeing a film of him racing a Honda at IOM, the bike was flexing like an old garden gate but no one could catch him. A true legend.
-
I remember highlight reels of his Formula 1 driving, part of what drew me to motorsports as a kid in the 60s. No live broadcasts then, and North American events were impossibly far from my home, so I never saw him in person. It's heartening to see someone who is a legend maintain their standing and respect throughout their life, never tarnishing the memory.
A unique accomplishment - a unique man.
-
John goes off into the sunset.......This circa 1960 photo of him driving a F1 car to the race track speaks of a different world of racing that used to be
(https://theselvedgeyard.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/john-surtees-1960.jpg)
-
Inevitable I suppose, but that doesn't make it any less sad.
We won't see another like him in a long time.
Maurie.
-
Here's a printed interview with John Surtees, circa 1996, when he was Grand Marshal at Mid Ohio Vintage Days. What a wonderfully well spoken representative of all we love.
https://books.google.com/books?id=HPYDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT26&lpg=PT26&dq=surtees+at+mid+ohio+vintage+days&source=bl&ots=bUsfqeGGKL&sig=Amn_AxGUy054bBn3o7Kp4o0m-60&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjAkaPm-szSAhVK0FQKHeCUBtMQ6AEIKzAD#v=onepage&q=surtees%20at%20mid%20ohio%20vintage%20days&f=false
-
Truly one of a very few. Even Mike the Bike did not transition to 4 wheels successfully.
-
the only world champion on 2 and 4 wheels.
go to Barber and see is champion Ferrari and MVs. He also built Surtees GP bikes and F1 racers.
-
Not sure he ever got much credit for creating the modern style of riding a racing motorbike , off the seat to the inside , knee out , even touching his knee down on occasion .
Dusty
-
Sad day. I met him at Mid Ohio Vintage days also. I was standing on the viewing platform over the garage area, looked over and there he was next me. Very humble and personable guy.
Pete
-
Absolutely a hero of mine, since childhood. Truly a life well-lived.
Shaun
-
the only world champion on 2 and 4 wheels.
go to Barber and see is champion Ferrari and MVs. He also built Surtees GP bikes and F1 racers.
He was indeed a legend...R.I.P. Sir-John...and Godspeed...
-
Not sure he ever got much credit for creating the modern style of riding a racing motorbike , off the seat to the inside , knee out , even touching his knee down on occasion .
Dusty
(https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/17201157_10212726889786100_2653154469024511686_n.jpg?oh=711a2cfd6338cf6f9e7751b4d785547c&oe=596EB1A2)
When Sue and I were at the Barber Museum a bit back, we stood next to The MV Agusta and I told Sue that we were in the presence of greatness...
I still believe that.
Rest in Peace Sir.
(http://thumb.ibb.co/kUuo3v/MGNOC_Rally_Southern_Ride_241.jpg) (http://ibb.co/kUuo3v)
-
Thanks for the pic Rad :thumb: Somewhere I have a book with that photo , the look of concentration on Sir John's face is amazing .
Dusty
-
The photo above of the rider hanging off the Vincent is claimed not to be Surtess....???
He was interviewed a few years ago by Road and Track, He talked about the 50's-early 60's Formula 1 cars and how dangerous they were with minimal driver protection and sitting between gasoline tanks...The attitude at the time was it's better to be thrown from the car rather than belted in and risk being trapped in a burning car...
I really enjoy looking at vintage racing photos when you could see the rider's/driver's face and how calm they appeared while at the limit on skinny tires often less than steady handling...
-
Tony , I have heard the rumor that it wasn't Surtees , but I am pretty sure it was Sir John . Memory says the picture was taken in about 1956 at Thruxton .
Dusty
-
(http://thumb.ibb.co/fo6A0a/DSC09897.jpg) (http://ibb.co/fo6A0a)
(http://thumb.ibb.co/in7uRF/DSC09895.jpg) (http://ibb.co/in7uRF)
-
(https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/17201157_10212726889786100_2653154469024511686_n.jpg?oh=711a2cfd6338cf6f9e7751b4d785547c&oe=596EB1A2)
When Sue and I were at the Barber Museum a bit back, we stood next to The MV Agusta and I told Sue that we were in the presence of greatness...
I still believe that.
Rest in Peace Sir.
(http://thumb.ibb.co/kUuo3v/MGNOC_Rally_Southern_Ride_241.jpg) (http://ibb.co/kUuo3v)
I don't think that is J. Surtees and this guy doesn't even have a real helmet on. What I know about racers hanging off the bike was started in the `70's, not when Surtees was racing. Kenny Roberts made it big in the US but someone else did it before him(can't remember who). Surtees was racing cars by the `60's.
-
Some research shows that the guys at pipeburn are claiming the pic is a fake . Dunno , that pic has been around for years , and have no idea why someone would fake that . There are people in their early 50's who believe Eddie Van Halen invented finger tapping , which isn't true . Gatemouth Brown finger tapped way back in the 1940's , and who knows where he got it from .
Wayne , Jaarno Saarinen is who you're thinking of , if Saarinen had not been killed , Roberts may never have seen a GP ride .
Dusty
-
Now there was a man who should have been knighted for his achievements
-
(https://theselvedgeyard.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/john-surtees-vincent.jpg)
According to this website, Surtees himself has stated that is not him in the photo...
https://selvedgeyard.com/2011/02/19/big-john-surtees-the-lone-racer-motorcycle-f1-world-champion/ (https://selvedgeyard.com/2011/02/19/big-john-surtees-the-lone-racer-motorcycle-f1-world-champion/)
-
I like this one:
(http://images.mcn.bauercdn.com/PageFiles/607960/1000x750/618934.jpg)
-
...and this one:
(http://images.mcn.bauercdn.com/PageFiles/607960/1000x750/746223.jpg)
-
Chris , the article never gives any evidence that Surtees admits it wasn't him in the photo .
Dusty
-
(http://www.visordown.com/sites/default/files/article-images/2/27845.jpg)
The rider pictured is a man named Mark Forsyth.
http://www.visordown.com/blogs/mark-forsyth/john-surtees-obe-an-official-apology (http://www.visordown.com/blogs/mark-forsyth/john-surtees-obe-an-official-apology)
-
Don't know what to say but Godspeed..