Author Topic: A giant has passed . RIP Mr Surtees  (Read 4325 times)

oldbike54

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A giant has passed . RIP Mr Surtees
« on: March 10, 2017, 10:30:30 AM »
 John Surtees dead at 83 .

 Dusty

Offline Bonafide Bob

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Re: A giant has passed . RIP Mr Surtees
« Reply #1 on: March 10, 2017, 10:40:09 AM »
 One of the true legends of racing. I got see him taking a parade lap around Barber Motosports Park a few years ago.
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Offline leolad

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Re: A giant has passed . RIP Mr Surtees
« Reply #2 on: March 10, 2017, 10:42:01 AM »
Had the honor of meeting him several years ago at Barber after he rode the MV #1 around the track. Very personable gentleman.

Offline ohiorider

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Re: A giant has passed . RIP Mr Surtees
« Reply #3 on: March 10, 2017, 11:30:09 AM »
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
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Re: A giant has passed . RIP Mr Surtees
« Reply #3 on: March 10, 2017, 11:30:09 AM »

Offline jbell

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Re: A giant has passed . RIP Mr Surtees
« Reply #4 on: March 10, 2017, 11:41:32 AM »
Doubt there will ever be another 2/4 wheel world champion.  Thanks for the heads up, Dusty.
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Offline kirkemon

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Re: A giant has passed . RIP Mr Surtees
« Reply #5 on: March 10, 2017, 12:09:16 PM »
I read his book some years ago - fascinating!
Kirk

Offline Arizona Wayne

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Re: A giant has passed . RIP Mr Surtees
« Reply #6 on: March 10, 2017, 12:16:50 PM »
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.
« Last Edit: March 10, 2017, 12:40:02 PM by Arizona Wayne »

Offline Kiwi_Roy

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Re: A giant has passed . RIP Mr Surtees
« Reply #7 on: March 10, 2017, 12:39:05 PM »
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.
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Offline ITSec

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Re: A giant has passed . RIP Mr Surtees
« Reply #8 on: March 10, 2017, 12:53:47 PM »
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.
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Re: A giant has passed . RIP Mr Surtees
« Reply #9 on: March 10, 2017, 01:26:44 PM »
  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


                           

Offline RANDM

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Re: A giant has passed . RIP Mr Surtees
« Reply #10 on: March 10, 2017, 03:36:52 PM »
Inevitable I suppose, but that doesn't make it any less sad.
We won't see another like him in a long time.

Maurie.

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Re: A giant has passed . RIP Mr Surtees
« Reply #11 on: March 10, 2017, 04:21:59 PM »
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Offline Muzz

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Re: A giant has passed . RIP Mr Surtees
« Reply #12 on: March 10, 2017, 04:40:29 PM »
Truly one of a very few. Even Mike the Bike did not transition to 4 wheels successfully.
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Offline LowRyter

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Re: A giant has passed . RIP Mr Surtees
« Reply #13 on: March 10, 2017, 05:26:38 PM »
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.
« Last Edit: March 10, 2017, 05:27:04 PM by LowRyter »
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oldbike54

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Re: A giant has passed . RIP Mr Surtees
« Reply #14 on: March 10, 2017, 05:44:35 PM »
 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

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Re: A giant has passed . RIP Mr Surtees
« Reply #15 on: March 10, 2017, 07:18:53 PM »
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.

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Offline smdl

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Re: A giant has passed . RIP Mr Surtees
« Reply #16 on: March 10, 2017, 11:56:47 PM »
Absolutely a hero of mine, since childhood.  Truly a life well-lived.

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Re: A giant has passed . RIP Mr Surtees
« Reply #17 on: March 11, 2017, 08:01:37 AM »
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...
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Offline radguzzi

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Re: A giant has passed . RIP Mr Surtees
« Reply #18 on: March 11, 2017, 11:46:14 AM »
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





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.






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oldbike54

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Re: A giant has passed . RIP Mr Surtees
« Reply #19 on: March 11, 2017, 11:56:25 AM »
 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

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Re: A giant has passed . RIP Mr Surtees
« Reply #20 on: March 11, 2017, 12:05:47 PM »
 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...

oldbike54

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Re: A giant has passed . RIP Mr Surtees
« Reply #21 on: March 11, 2017, 12:12:32 PM »
 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

Offline LowRyter

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Re: A giant has passed . RIP Mr Surtees
« Reply #22 on: March 11, 2017, 12:37:51 PM »






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Offline Arizona Wayne

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Re: A giant has passed . RIP Mr Surtees
« Reply #23 on: March 11, 2017, 01:21:59 PM »




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.








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.

oldbike54

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Re: A giant has passed . RIP Mr Surtees
« Reply #24 on: March 11, 2017, 01:46:56 PM »
 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

Offline tris

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Re: A giant has passed . RIP Mr Surtees
« Reply #25 on: March 11, 2017, 03:35:55 PM »
Now there was a man who should have been knighted for his achievements
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twowings

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Re: A giant has passed . RIP Mr Surtees
« Reply #26 on: March 11, 2017, 06:49:39 PM »


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/

twowings

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Re: A giant has passed . RIP Mr Surtees
« Reply #27 on: March 11, 2017, 06:55:38 PM »
I like this one:


twowings

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Re: A giant has passed . RIP Mr Surtees
« Reply #28 on: March 11, 2017, 06:56:59 PM »
...and this one:


oldbike54

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Re: A giant has passed . RIP Mr Surtees
« Reply #29 on: March 11, 2017, 07:00:51 PM »
 Chris , the article never gives any evidence that Surtees admits it wasn't him in the photo .

 Dusty

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