GPWizard F1 Forum
F1 News & Discussions => General F1 Discussion => Topic started by: Wizzo on April 12, 2020, 02:38:58 PM
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British motor racing legend Sir Stirling Moss has died at the age of 90 following a long illness.
He is widely regarded as one of the greatest Formula 1 drivers of all time, even though he did not win the World Championship.
Moss retired from public life in January 2018 because of ongoing health problems.
RIP Sir Stirling, I had the privilege of meeting you once.
Wizzo
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R.I.P Stirling you were really one of the true greats in motor racing. Condolences to your wife and family.
I'm sure he'd agree 90 years is not a bad innings when you compare it to a lot of his contemporaries, who sadly passed away a lot younger racing the tracks of the world.
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R.I.P Sir Sterling, not only was he a superb driver he was also an absolute Gentleman. Condolences to his family and friends.
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He was a true sportsman. Most of you know the story of the 1958 Portuguese G.P. The stewards disqualified Mike Hawthorn. Sir Sterling defended Hawthorn's actions to the stewards & got his disqualification removed. The action cost Moss the 1958 WDC.
R.I.P., Sterling. You will always be a model of how sports should be.
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This is the book Stirling signed for me in 2011 after we had a chat about GPWizard. It reads 'To Doug, all the best with GPWizard. Stirling Moss'
One of the greats. He will be sorely missed.
(https://www.gpwizard.co.uk/images/goodwood/sterling1.jpg)
(https://www.gpwizard.co.uk/images/goodwood/sterling3.jpg)
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One of the things that makes Formula One a unique sport is that the drivers must fight their way to the top. Team sport players, they are spotted at an early age and put right into development programmes. Individual sports players are also spotted early, and can step right into the major tournaments as soon as skill permits.
In car racing, a driver must work their way up. Sure, there are opportunities for talented drivers, but the only way to get to the top is by winning at the lower levels. Even then, winning is not enough. Sponsors are required, so talent on track must be matched by the ability to be a decent human being off track.
As such, the people who reach the pinnacle of Formula One aren't simply talented human beings, but they must be good people in one way or another.
So to be known amongst the best of the best, to be a man who generations of top racers, top human beings, looked up to, it means that Sterling Moss touched a lot of lives in a way that few other people could. I feel blessed to be in a world that had a man of such magnitude, and saddens me to see his light fade from it.
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I consider myself fortunate that I was once able to see Sir Stirling Moss race live, in a support race for the 2002 British Grand Prix.
Dad and I were at Club, and a problem soon became apparent in the pre-1962 historic race. All the drivers were going round the modern Club corner, as you would expect a modern F1 driver to do. One, however, went down what appeared to be an escape road. Having studied my history, and noting the distinctive white cap that contrasted with the sea of helmets and ahistorical headgear on the other racers, I asked Dad, "Stirling's going round the classic Club corner, isn't he?"
Unsurprisingly, Stirling was soon in the lead. At the end of the second lap, flags were waved and all the drivers were brought into the pits. It turned out that Stirling was the only one who had paid attention in the drivers' briefing, and thus the only one doing the correct version of the track. After some quick reminders, the race was re-started. Guess who won anyway?
Rest in peace, champion.
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Just thought I'd share what most regard as Stirling's best, and possibly greatest ever, F1 race win.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCYBPE-UOyM
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One of my all time favorite racing stories - Stirling Moss and the famous "Coke Bottle Incident" at the 1957 12 Hours of Sebring. Things were a lot more fun back then. ;)
http://www.vintagemotorsport.com/2020/04/moss-coke-bottle-incident/
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One of my all time favorite racing stories - Stirling Moss and the famous "Coke Bottle Incident" at the 1957 12 Hours of Sebring. Things were a lot more fun back then. ;)
http://www.vintagemotorsport.com/2020/04/moss-coke-bottle-incident/
It sounds like product placement in a movie, not a real event!
As exciting as on track exploits are, what makes drivers truly memorable is their humanizing stories like this. Alonso lounging on a folding chair instead of heading to the pits. Kimi going for an ice cream instead of being angry at circumstances.
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I found this on YouTube - A very good 20 minute bio of Moss. I personally like the very last thing he says in it, something it seems he & I had in common in our racing days. ;)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-SCxKYhXtk
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Sir Stirling Moss was a very talented driver and true competitor as well as a real gentleman.
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It reads 'To Doug, all the best with GPWizard. Stirling Moss'
I never realised this site was endorsed by Sir Stirling Moss! :) Makes me even more proud to be a part of this wonderful community you have built here!