RIP John Surtees MBE

[pritch]

John Surtees is the only person to have won world championships in the premier Motorcycle GP class and Formula 1. He passed away overnight our time aged 83.

http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/opinion/f1/john-surtees-1934-2017



Note: The original nofification I saw quoted an MBE. Later, less rushed ones, state CBE. There was a move in recent times to get him a knighthood like Sir Jack and Sir Jackie but to no avail.

[mulletman]

John Surtees is the only person to have won world championships in the premier Motorcycle GP class and Formula 1. He passed away overnight our time aged 83.

http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/opinion/f1/john-surtees-1934-2017

A true champ :Punk:

[roogazza]

"legend".........

[YellowDog]

I remember his legendary name from when I was a kid.

83 is a pretty good innings!

R I P

[Grumph]

First met him when he came out with the Bowmaker Lolas in the Tasman series. He gave a talk here in ChCh and my old man asked if he still had the Vincent Grey Flash. He said yes, and if he could he'd bring it out sometime.
When he came out for the Classic bikes and brought it and a Black Shadow, I thanked him on behalf of my late father...

A gentleman - and a nice bloke too.

RIP.

[jellywrestler]

the Bowmaker Lolas

were they a punk rock, heavy metal or easy listening band?

[KawasakiKid]

RIP Sir John

[Motu]

And for those who think hanging off is a modern thing....

https://theselvedgeyard.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/john-surtees-vincent.jpg

[ellipsis]

And for those who think hanging off is a modern thing....



...that must have been real old school, tough, duct tape...

[HenryDorsetCase]

were they a punk rock, heavy metal or easy listening band?

Ray Davies wrote an entire song about them

[Grumph]

And for those who think hanging off is a modern thing....

You are aware that is a staged pic from Performance Bike mag with a staffer riding ?

If you want to show JS hanging off - as he did - look for one on an MV.

[KawasakiKid]

You are aware that is a staged pic from Performance Bike mag with a staffer riding ?

If you want to show JS hanging off - as he did - look for one on an MV.


Exactly true Grumph. That is a 'famous' but forged pic of John....here is a real pic of him on a Vincent

[pritch]

You are aware that is a staged pic from Performance Bike mag with a staffer riding ?

If you want to show JS hanging off - as he did - look for one on an MV.

Surtees was the first I heard of who moved his butt across the seat, although nowhere near as much as in that shot. His competition probably didn't need to as they were almost all on single cylinder bikes.

Surtees did own Vincents though, and he built some pretty single cylinder racers after he retired. I have his biography here somewhere, I'd better dig it out.

Photos seem a bit hard to come by on the 'Net but here's his '58 IoM Senior win. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpBRkphIwTo

[jellywrestler]

Surtees did own Vincents though, and he built some pretty single cylinder racers after he retired. I have his biography here somewhere, I'd better dig it out.
a mate of mine near palmy has an ex sutees black shadow.

book on surtees here http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=1279388836

[husaberg]

If you want to show JS hanging off - as he did - look for one on an MV.

A dam fine rider and a bloody good race test writer as well.
329216
He diagnosed what was likely wrong with Hailwoods honda 500 in a couple of laps.
Supension mismatch front to rear, lack of travel at rear and a punny (15mm?) ti front axel.

[jellywrestler]

another legend who started on sidecars


He began his illustrious career on motorcycles in 1949 as a passenger for his father, a top sidecar racer, and went on to ride for Norton and MV Augusta. In addition to his four 500cc world titles he also won three at 350cc. He also became the first man to win the Senior TT on the Isle of Man for three years in succession.

[GrayWolf]

Surtees was the first I heard of who moved his butt across the seat, although nowhere near as much as in that shot. His competition probably didn't need to as they were almost all on single cylinder bikes.

Surtees did own Vincents though, and he built some pretty single cylinder racers after he retired. I have his biography here somewhere, I'd better dig it out.

Photos seem a bit hard to come by on the 'Net but here's his '58 IoM Senior win. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpBRkphIwTo

Yes he 'invented'? moving across the seat and hanging off,,,,, due to the particular bike he was racing had 'rotten handling' and it was the only way he could get it round corners... However his normal style was tucked in and 'very smooth' through the bends.

One of the 60's legends; Surtees, Hailwood, only Ago left to carry the 'flag'.

[merv]

another legend who started on sidecars


He began his illustrious career on motorcycles in 1949 as a passenger for his father, a top sidecar racer, and went on to ride for Norton and MV Augusta. In addition to his four 500cc world titles he also won three at 350cc. He also became the first man to win the Senior TT on the Isle of Man for three years in succession.

Mate I heard you on that Hampton Downs video too, stop putting that extra 'u' in MV Agusta lol :crazy:

[jellywrestler]

Mate I heard you on that Hampton Downs video too, stop putting that extra 'u' in MV Agusta lol :crazy:

that was copied and pasted.,

[Voltaire]

a mate of mine near palmy has an ex sutees black shadow.

book on surtees here http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=1279388836

At least spell his name wright.:facepalm:

[husaberg]

John Surtees is the only person to have won world championships in the premier Motorcycle GP class and Formula 1. He passed away overnight our time aged 83.

http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/opinion/f1/john-surtees-1934-2017



Note: The original nofification I saw quoted an MBE. Later, less rushed ones, state CBE. There was a move in recent times to get him a knighthood like Sir Jack and Sir Jackie but to no avail.

Looks like he was a MBE,OBE and a CBE (in 2016)
which makes him one step below getting a sir title.

[pritch]

Looks like he was a MBE,OBE and a CBE (in 2016)
which makes him one step below getting a sir title.

People had been commenting that he should have had a knighthood and there was a petition started to get it posthumously, but the Parliamentary website put it on hold pending checks.

[roogazza]

People had been commenting that he should have had a knighthood and there was a petition started to get it posthumously, but the Parliamentary website put it on hold pending checks.

Considering how they dish the fuckin things out,that's terrible.
Maybe they're working on mine ? :(

[pritch]

Considering how they dish the fuckin things out,that's terrible.
Maybe they're working on mine ? :(

You can buy them you know.

[roogazza]

You can buy them you know.

Sir Gazza ! I like it ! :confused:

[husaberg]

People had been commenting that he should have had a knighthood and there was a petition started to get it posthumously, but the Parliamentary website put it on hold pending checks.


Considering how they dish the fuckin things out,that's terrible.
Maybe they're working on mine ? :(

It opens a case of worms
Neither Hailwood or Joey Dunlop received knighthoods either.
Personally i would rate Joeys charity work ahead of ,and Mikes bravery in risking his own life in an attempt to repeatedly save another has to rank right up their irrespective of their success as racers ,which to my mind should not even be considered when it comes to receiving honours as being motorbike riders and racers or sports stars as it is simply their job.
Personally it always seems wrong to reward people for basically doing their job in regards to being sports stars.
To my mind there is far more selfless work done by ordinary people every day for no reward or recognition.
This is not meant to be a slight in anyway on John, as i am aware of the Henry Surtees foundations work.

[pritch]

It opens a case of worms
Neither Hailwood or Joey Dunlop received knighthoods either.
Personally i would rate Joeys charity work ahead of ,and Mikes bravery in risking his own life in an attempt to repeatedly save another has to rank right up their irrespective of their success as racers ,which to my mind should not even be considered when it comes to receiving honours as being motorbike riders and racers or sports stars as it is simply their job.
Personally it always seems wrong to reward people for basically doing their job in regards to being sports stars.
To my mind there is far more selfless work done by ordinary people every day for no reward or recognition.
This is not meant to be a slight in anyway on John, as i am aware of the Henry Surtees foundations work.


It can be complicated. Neither Mike Hailwood nor Joey Dunlop won an F1 title; Sir jack Brabham and Sir Jackie Stewart did.

Mike Hailwood got an MBE for services to sport (or whatever the exact wording was). He received a George Medal for his efforts to rescue Regazonni from a burning car. They generally don't give George Medals lightly.

The British system of orders (MBE etc) was based on social status. An example might be an olympic team where a gold medalist might receive an MBE but the Team Manager would receive a higher award. It is possible that British politicians do not regard motorcyclists as at the top of the social tree, unlike f'rinstance equestrian riders?

The system can seem random and in Britain considerable coverage was given to the bitchy tantrum allegedly thrown by David Beckham regarding the OBE awarded to singer Katherine Jenkins, a darling of the Welsh. Beckham was pissed off he hadn't got a knighthood - he just might have shot himself in the foot there. He may just have to be happy with his own OBE.
http://www.digitalspy.com/showbiz/news/a823219/katherine-jenkins-breaks-silence-david-beckham-emails/

[jellywrestler]

Considering how they dish the fuckin things out,that's terrible.
Maybe they're working on mine ? :(

what, VD & Scars?

[husaberg]

It can be complicated. Neither Mike Hailwood nor Joey Dunlop won an F1 title; Sir jack Brabham and Sir Jackie Stewart did.

Mike Hailwood got an MBE for services to sport (or whatever the exact wording was). He received a George Medal for his efforts to rescue Regazonni from a burning car. They generally don't give George Medals lightly.

The British system of orders (MBE etc) was based on social status. An example might be an olympic team where a gold medalist might receive an MBE but the Team Manager would receive a higher award. It is possible that British politicians do not regard motorcyclists as at the top of the social tree, unlike f'rinstance equestrian riders(?).

The system can seem random and in Britain considerable coverage was given to the bitchy tantrum thrown by David Beckham regarding the OBE awarded to singer Katherine Jenkins, a Welsh darling. Beckham was pissed off he hadn't got a knighthood - he just might have shot himself in the foot there.
http://www.digitalspy.com/showbiz/news/a823219/katherine-jenkins-breaks-silence-david-beckham-emails/


Funny enough I can't imagine either Hailwood or Joey would have accepted the title of Sir anyway.
I could well imagine the social standing of a sport being a huge factor in England.
Ra ra telly ho old chaps
Beckham is barely able to carry a conversation, let alone a sword.
Has any motorbike champion been knghted, i can't think of one off the top of my head.
I mentioned a work that john had died, no one had any idea who he was,two of them ride bikes and are much older than i am.
But i bet they both knew who hailwood and Dunlop were, i guess dying young helps.
Bazza died on the exact same day 14 years ago.

[husaberg]

Good old wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_sporting_knights_and_dames
Shit kiwis especially in rugby are well over represented.
plus 14 poms and a brazilian (Pele)for football.
As is cricket.although not kiwis, I couldn't be buggered adding it up.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cricketers_who_were_knighted

[pritch]

Only tangentially related to the social standing of motorcyclists, but I just watched an episode of the Brit Antiques Roadshow. The items under discussion: two sets of Barry Sheene's leathers. One set from 1974 considerably battle scarred, one set in good nick from his world championship winning year.
The estimates? The first set 8 to 12 thousand pounds. The second set, twenty to thirty thousand pounds.

That's potentially about 74,000 of our Pacific pesos. And you thought your leathers were expensive. :whistle:

[husaberg]

Only tangentially related to the social standing of motorcyclists, but I just watched an episode of the Brit Antiques Roadshow. The items under discussion: two sets of Barry Sheene's leathers. One set from 1974 considerably battle scarred, one set in good nick from his world championship winning year.
The estimates? The first set 8 to 12 thousand pounds. The second set, twenty to thirty thousand pounds.

That's potentially about 74,000 of our Pacific pesos. And you thought your leathers were expensive. :whistle:

George Best, footballer
Talking about David Beckham, he said: "He can’t kick with his left foot, he can’t head, he can’t tackle, and he doesn’t score many goals. Apart from that, he’s all right.
.............