Stirling night for race fans
KNIGHT RIDER: Sir Stirling Moss will visit the island
SIR Stirling Moss OBE is arguably the greatest all-round racing driver of all time and a true icon of the motor racing world.
And now, thanks to the Isle of Man Sports and Dining Club, you can share an evening with the hero.
Known during his career as ‘Mr Motor Racing’ he became a professional driver in 1948, at the age of 18, racing a Cooper 500.
Stirling’s early career was meteoric, with works drives for both Jaguar and HWM.
He was signed by Mercedes-Benz, the famed ‘Silver Arrows’, in 1955 to partner world champion Juan Manuel Fangio.
That year saw Stirling shadow the great Argentine in most Grands Prix, famously beating him to win the British Grand Prix at Aintree while driving the Mercedes-Benz W196 Monoposto.
For four years he would finish runner-up in the Formula 1 Drivers’ World Championship, his sportsmanship at the Portuguese GP famously allowing Mike Hawthorn to win the 1958 championship title by a single point at his own expense.
After Mercedes-Benz withdrew from motor racing following the 1955 Le Mans tragedy, Stirling led the Maserati and Vanwall teams.
He raced 107 different types of car, across all classes of motor sport, during a remarkable career.
His victory in the 1961 Monaco Grand Prix, racing a Lotus 18 against the more powerful Ferraris, was his third Formula 1 victory around the principality and is still regarded as one of the best ever Formula 1 races.
Out of the 375 competitive races in which he finished during his professional racing career, he won an astonishing 212. However, a near-fatal accident at Goodwood in 1962 brought his racing career to an end.
He continued to compete in historic racing events, his familiar white Patey helmet and blue lightweight race suit being a regular feature at historic races across the globe.
In 2009 the Stirling Moss brand was created and licensed.
During qualifying for the 2011 Le Mans Legends race Stirling made the decision to retire from competitive racing, although he continues to demonstrate the cars he raced and takes part in car rallies.
One of the original jet-setters, he remains in huge demand around the world to this day – a true British legend.
He visits the island on Thursday, October 18, when he will be guest speaker at a three course dinner, sponsored by HSBC, at the Mount Murray Hotel and Country Club.
Tickets, priced £80 or £65 for members (excluding VAT), are available from John Wannenburg at john(at)sportinganddiningclub.com or on 495749. Tables can accommodate up to 12 guests.
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Weather for Isle of Man
Saturday 25 May 2013
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 7 C to 13 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: South
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Sunny spells
Temperature: 10 C to 13 C
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