Friday 17th June 2011

Pic Of The Week: Moss At His Best

We pay tribute to a racing legend in the week he officially retires from competitive driving

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Many accolades have been heaped upon Stirling Moss in his time. 'The greatest driver never to win the world championship' is one, 'the quintessential British racing driver' is another. 'The man who survived falling down his own domestic lift shaft' is one he probably wishes to forget.

But the point is that Moss is indubitably one of Britain's true motorsport heroes, and the news this week that he is officially to hang up his helmet and retire from competitive racing after 60 years and at the age of 81 seems like an opportune moment to reflect on one heck of a glorious career.

Of course, with Moss there are literally hundreds of motorsport moments to choose from but we've picked out two that we feel are among the most significant.

The first is that most famous of moments in motorsport time, the finishing line of the 1955 British GP at Aintree, where Moss beat Mercedes Team mate Juan Manuel Fangio to the chequered flag by just 0.2secs, becoming in the process the first Brit to win his home GP. Did he beat Fangio? Or did the gentlemanly Argentinian let him win? It's something we'll never know the answer to.

The second picture comes from the 1957 Pescara Grand Prix in Italy, where Moss took a Vanwall to victory around a gruelling 16-mile circuit (the longest ever to stage a World Championship GP) in front of a crowd of more than 200,000 fans and just over 3m 13s ahead of Fangio's Maserati 250F (you can find out more about this particular feat in 'The Last Road Race', a fantastic book by Richard Williams).

Look after yourself, Stirling; we'll miss seeing you out on the circuit...

Moss in a Mercedes
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WideScreen (1440x900)
SuperSize (2048x1536)

Moss in a Vanwall
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SuperSize (2048x1536)

[300bhp/ton]

FAB great fantastic!

[spoodler]

Always loved the pic' of Moss and Jenks in the battered Merc' 300 on their way to winning the Mille Miglia. Can't remember which year but if you know the shot you'll understand...

[soad]

spoodler said:

Always loved the pic' of Moss and Jenks in the battered Merc' 300 on their way to winning the Mille Miglia. Can't remember which year but if you know the shot you'll understand...

1955?

[mightymouse]

300bhp/ton said:

FAB great fantastic!

+1 ........a true legend

[spoodler]

1955 - right you are

[Fetchez la vache]

article said:

The man who survived falling down his own domestic lift shaft

That's just what the press was told. In reality he fell down the shaft of his personal rocket silo, as the man is a superhero.

Top pics!

[Riggers]

Fetchez la vache said:

article said:

The man who survived falling down his own domestic lift shaft

That's just what the press was told. In reality he fell down the shaft of his personal rocket silo, as the man is a superhero.

Top pics!

Always wondered why that part of Mayfair had such a low crime rate...

[Johnpidge]

He is legend - a real hero - his results did not sadly match his ability but still a real hero!

[anniesdad]

Riggers said "indubitably".

Anybody else have to Google that one?

Nice pics, I've taken the Vanwall one as my desktop for the coming week.

And to Sir Stirling, congratulations on your second retirement. Party at Goodwood?

[Riggers]

anniesdad said:

Riggers said "indubitably".

Anybody else have to Google that one?

Nice pics, I've taken the Vanwall one as my desktop for the coming week.

And to Sir Stirling, congratulations on your second retirement. Party at Goodwood?

....I had to check the spelling...

[anniesdad]

Riggers said:

....I had to check the spelling...

[DE15 CAT]

I like the story of him being stopped for speeding some years ago. The sarcastic copper says ''Who do you think you are Sterling Moss'' and he replies ''Well yes actually I am''. I would love to know how that plod felt.
And of the man's dedication and commitment through the years A TRULY STERLING EFFORT.

[mark3man]

....and if you have ever been lucky enough to meet him, a really, really nice guy.

[yamma1200]

The man is a gentleman of gasoline, automotive aristocracy, racing royalty of the highest octane.
If 'Brucie' can get a gong (or whatever) for putting his life on the line twinkle-toeing it around the dance floor in the name of 'variety' & 'entertainment' Sir Stirling must deserves a (bucket) seat in the House of Lords; Ermine race suit with a leather & cork crown.

[oilit]

give him his own section on topgear, and lets get a bit of class back into the kids playground :-)

[Daxed]

Fabulous pictures, thanks.

[Sumners1]

One of the best aspects of racing drivers of this era was their ability to swap from formula to GP and rally at the drop of a hat, truely amazing what he achieved

[VPower]

Twas at Le Mans one afternoon of last week, Moss was out in the Porsche Spider during practice for the Legends race due for Saturday Morning.

We were at the Village side just before Dunlop when that famous helmet passed us.
He only did the one lap and then pulled into the pits.
Struggling to get out of the car he said "I nearly st myself going into those corners! I'm 81 now you know"!

That was it!

He was concerned he could be a danger to others and also not be able to get himself out of the car because of his ankles.

A TRUE Professional to the end!!!!

He walked away with his wife as the commentators on Radio Le Mans relayed the news!
We were stunned, as was the commentator who just stated the date and the time!
One of those where were you moments!

Edited by VPower on Saturday 18th June 02:32

[grahamw48]

A fine role model.

Long may he be with us.

[will261058]

One of the good guys, have a long and happy retirement Mr Moss.