The open cockpit version of the Lola T70 was an absolutely beautiful car. I attended St Jovite in 1966 and was overlooking the infamous back straight with the hump in the middle. The gent Surtees mentions who flipped his car was Hugh Dibley, whose day-job was a BOAC pilot if I remember correctly. As I recall his car ended upside-down in the hill to the left of the straight. How he managed to walk away from that I have no idea! interestingly the one car I do not remember at all from the race was that of John Surtees! I do remember Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon touring around in their twin rad McLaren 1Bs.
What a man, you will be missed a great deal by us fans of motorsport and you were a true gentleman off the track as well as on it. A true shame that we didn't get to hear more of his "war stories". A true legend I salute you sir.
John Surtees was a racer of the purest kind. His record to be worldclass and World Champion on two and four wheels will be forever unmatched. A true racing hero.
As someone who is actually old enough to have attended the Can-Am (i.e. the Canadian-American Challenge Cup), I have news for some of its newer fans: the first three or four years were great...and then it got lost. News item 2: for all the talk of innovation and for all the legend, how many Can-Am races did Chaparral win? Anybody? One. Just one. Item 3: in effect, the Chevrolet "factory team" got beaten to the championship by a guy with one car and two mechanics who open-trailered their car. and had no factory backing of any kind, though he surely made plenty of money for Eric Broadley.
Thanks for raising this. John was awarded CBE (Commander of the British Empire) which is one step above OBE (Order of the British Empire). He always brought honor to his country and his family throughout his life and CBE, for him, is certainly fitting.
I don't wish to be unduly picky here but the car that Big John sits with in the video looks more like his Mosport 1965 winner - that was the year before the Can-Am series was officially inaugurated.
This. The last true rider to run both the IOM TT (and possibly the Irish Road Races) and the World Championship was Carl Fogarty. I really hope someone with balls enough would come back to the IOM and at least contend for a Top 10, or vice versa. Edit: Oops Fogarty was in Superbike Worlds not the Moto GP. I guess we have to go even further back for that, maybe all the way to Agostini who ruined the IOM TTs membership of the Moto GP series.
Surtees was a gentleman and a legend. You’re forgetting Mike Hailwood, the only other person to race both F1 and motorcycle GP. 9 motorcycle championships, 14 IOM TT wins and 2 podiums in F1, one podium at LeMans 24h.
Fifty years in the past, and Surtees' eyes light up when he is talking about the racing! Fantastic.......
Still The Kid!
As when I was 15
At Sebring... '64...
As full of fun!
LIFE!
SIR John...
The open cockpit version of the Lola T70 was an absolutely beautiful car. I attended St Jovite in 1966 and was overlooking the infamous back straight with the hump in the middle. The gent Surtees mentions who flipped his car was Hugh Dibley, whose day-job was a BOAC pilot if I remember correctly. As I recall his car ended upside-down in the hill to the left of the straight. How he managed to walk away from that I have no idea! interestingly the one car I do not remember at all from the race was that of John Surtees! I do remember Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon touring around in their twin rad McLaren 1Bs.
Mk II Spyder - beauty in motion
I love how he describes himself first as 'Number two mechanic at times... and driver'. lol. 'and driver'. What class.
Mr. Surtees is a living legend, ... F1 World Champion and motorcycle World Champion... oh my...
Not many left to say they raced with Bruce Mclaren and company.........Surtees....true legend.
Great piece of history.
R.I.P John Surtees
What a man, you will be missed a great deal by us fans of motorsport and you were a true gentleman off the track as well as on it. A true shame that we didn't get to hear more of his "war stories". A true legend I salute you sir.
Such a delightful man.....a true champion in every respect.
My favorite of all time ! RIP John...
he should be called SIR John surtees.
TRUTH!
His Highness!
John Surtees was a racer of the purest kind. His record to be worldclass and World Champion on two and four wheels will be forever unmatched. A true racing hero.
What a humble, likable old gentleman . . . thank you for the great vid.
I can't remember what I did yesterday, he remembers everything.
His storytelling is mesmerizing! Legendary driver, legendary car.
What a fascinating man! It's a blessing that he aged so gracefully and shared his experiences.
I Love John Surtees...he has the biggest Motorsport-Heart on this world!
From the Racer's Dictionary:
class act (n) See John Surtees.
Absolutely!
John Surtees. A legend!
What a wonderful man. Also, world motorcycle champion x4, F1 world champion and Can-Am champion. We will not see his like again.
As someone who is actually old enough to have attended the Can-Am (i.e. the Canadian-American Challenge Cup), I have news for some of its newer fans: the first three or four years were great...and then it got lost. News item 2: for all the talk of innovation and for all the legend, how many Can-Am races did Chaparral win? Anybody? One. Just one. Item 3: in effect, the Chevrolet "factory team" got beaten to the championship by a guy with one car and two mechanics who open-trailered their car. and had no factory backing of any kind, though he surely made plenty of money for Eric Broadley.
What a legend!
Yay John Surtees! Yay Lola T70!
Superb content from a true legend.
Yes! -thanks John💛
JS ...a real race driver!...I well remember the Can-Am series in the 60's...what days!
RIP - What a legend
True legend
such dedication so modest and such a talent. I was prıvıleged to meet hım once at Goodwood a true gentleman
The most versatile racer. 4 wheels and 2 wheels champion.
It's very strange that this man doesn't have an OBE
Thanks for raising this. John was awarded CBE (Commander of the British Empire) which is one step above OBE (Order of the British Empire). He always brought honor to his country and his family throughout his life and CBE, for him, is certainly fitting.
What a time to be alive
Surtees was a legend!
Love T70
I don't wish to be unduly picky here but the car that Big John sits with in the video looks more like his Mosport 1965 winner - that was the year before the Can-Am series was officially inaugurated.
Big John
Boss.....
Ferrari fans love Sir J. Surtees !!
He referred to the IOM TT the ultimate racing challenge
This. The last true rider to run both the IOM TT (and possibly the Irish Road Races) and the World Championship was Carl Fogarty. I really hope someone with balls enough would come back to the IOM and at least contend for a Top 10, or vice versa. Edit: Oops Fogarty was in Superbike Worlds not the Moto GP. I guess we have to go even further back for that, maybe all the way to Agostini who ruined the IOM TTs membership of the Moto GP series.
Surtees was a gentleman and a legend. You’re forgetting Mike Hailwood, the only other person to race both F1 and motorcycle GP. 9 motorcycle championships, 14 IOM TT wins and 2 podiums in F1, one podium at LeMans 24h.
I see another movie in the making..
RIP
more like this,