Another giant left us today.
John Surtees, a Champion on two wheels, four wheels and in life, passed away from a respiratory illness in a London hospital at age 83. After winning multiple World Championships on motorcycles, ‘Big John’ met the challenge of Formula One, becoming World Champion for Ferrari in 1964. Not finished yet, Surtees won the hotly contested Canadian American Challenge Cup series in 1966 in his Lola T70, becoming the first Champion of the legendary Can-Am. After retiring as a driver, Surtees became a Formula One Constructor. His beautiful cars also graced Formula 5000 grids here in the US and in other F5000 series across the globe.
I had the pleasure of meeting John Surtees on two occasions, after making arrangements for him to sign books and other items for Motorsport Collector customers. On both occasions, I was extremely impressed by the man’s gracious character and personality.
He will be missed.
– PZ
(Remember, I’m on the road again this weekend. The Gallery will be closed Saturday, March 11.)