He was my dads hero so became my hero.A fantastic racer on two and four wheels but above all a true Gentleman.Going to miss his knowledge,humility and his smile.RIP
It's weird that today with our mostly ultra safe racing that he in the days of his championships, did so with a very small team and whilst riding with a egg cup crash helmet and goggles that looked like they were stolen from a spitfire pilot Then onto formula one and again with small teams wearing an open face lid, big goggles and a scarf over his face. These were the days that dying was a real ocurrence and safety was second. To win in those days must have taken a very special man let alone to win on the tt, motorcycle world championship multiple times and f1, fan bloody tastic.
John Surtees, winner of a f1 motor Racing World title, and 4, 500cc world motorcycle championships. Also a winner at the Isle of Man TT, yet never knighted? I just don't get it.. Sadly he passed away today and as always it's to easy to praise them when they've gone.. but what a guy, what ability, incredible.. He raced for Norton, Ferrari and MV amongst others. He also lost his Son Henry, whilst racing in F2 at Brands hatch in a freak accident.. He had a foundation raising funds for junior racers via karting etc too.. It amazes me how some people get knighted for achieving almost nothing and yet here we had a Guy racing at one of the most dangerous periods of motor sport, taking on the world, representing his Country and fund raising for future generations, yet not to be recognised as he was surely due.. Well to me and many others I'm sure, he will always be a legend, a hero, an icon, one his Country failed to recognise as they could and indeed should of..
Certainly a hero, I knew of his son, and Jack who was involved in the accident at Brands. Big loss to the sport and undoubtably a legend. Rest in peace x
Many feel he should have been further recognised in an honours list. His achievements remain unique and very special: Absence of a John Surtees knighthood remains a minor national disgrace | Richard Williams | Sport | The Guardian
His foundation, in memory of his son Henry, gives Northumbria Blood Bikes (and a number of other area blood bikes) a car to help supply blood to the Great North Air Ambulance-which we do every evening, 365 days a year. Great fella-why no knighthood when you consider others who have one...
His achievements will never be replicated. Apparently he was a bit close to the establishment and that's why he never got the knighthood. Shocking RIP JS
When a legend like JS isn't Knighted and others are it seems to me the whole system is a nonesense and complete travesty
