RIP John Surtees


BtwoG

GT Owner
Dec 8, 2013
1,039
Atlanta, GA
The great Ferrari driver John Surtees passed away this morning.

If you haven't read A.J. Baime's book "Go Like Hell: Ford, Ferrari, and Their Battle for Speed and Glory at Le Mans," it's definitely worth checking out. Great stories about Surtees and of course all the GT40 drivers.
 
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Triheart7

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Mark IV Lifetime
Apr 3, 2007
2,576
Northern California
Sad to see when an important participant in a historical story passes away. Great Book.
 

steved57

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Le Mans 2010 Supporter
Mar 29, 2008
1,941
kilgore tx
One of the few greats who won gran prix motorcycle and car races/championships
 

GTJack

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Oct 1, 2006
1,728
Saddlebrooke, MO
Seven motorcycle championships and one F1. Baime's book is good in telling how badly Enzo treated/bullied/"motivated" Surtees. He was an incredible driver in his day, along with Jimmy Clark. RIP Sir John.
 

KennethClay

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Oct 15, 2012
860
New York
He was one of the greats...
 

timcantwell

Le Mans 2010 Sponsor * Moderator
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Jan 22, 2006
2,634
N.E. OH & Naples, FL
John Surtees was one of my heros. He raced and won on motorbikes, formula cars, just about anything he drove. I have a limited edition print of him racing a Ferrari at Spa, which is prominently displayed at my home in Ohio.
 
I had the great pleasure to meet and talk with him twice. He was a real gentleman and the only man to win both motorcycle and F1 championships. He started his career on a Vincent, had a wonderful Black Lightning, and also sold a really nice 5 speed Vincent gearbox conversion. I doubt there will ever be anyone to match his record.
 

Sinovac

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Jul 18, 2006
5,832
Largo, Florida
 

Gene Cassone

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Dec 3, 2005
1,002
way upstate NY
sad news indeed. Great survivor of an era when many did not. thanks for the post..
 

texas mongrel

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May 3, 2009
1,661
Houston Texas

Very famous photo of him in the Telegraph article. I love the look of the dustbin fairings they used on the bikes back then!
 

sr71

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Le Mans 2010 Supporter
May 22, 2007
512
Calgary, Great White
One of the few greats who won gran prix motorcycle and car races/championships
and Mike Hailwood...."Mike the bike"

1969 3rd place at LeMans in a GT-40, and a great motorcycle career. One of my heros.
 

Special K

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Aug 23, 2016
1,775
Franklinton, LA
The great Ferrari driver John Surtees passed away this morning.

If you haven't read A.J. Baime's book "Go Like Hell: Ford, Ferrari, and Their Battle for Speed and Glory at Le Mans," it's definitely worth checking out. Great stories about Surtees and of course all the GT40 drivers.

I'm reading that book right now! Amazing story about John.


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