FRESSINGFIELD OILY RAG

CLUB

A Tribute To

Sir Stirling Moss 1929 - 2020

May 2020

FORC - For Motor Sport Enthusiasts

Cover Painting

'Monaco Maestro' by Andrew Kitson

Once more we are indebted to Andrew, this time for our Stirling Moss Tribute cover picture.

The 1961 Monaco Grand Prix was the first race under the new 1.5 litre Formula 1 enginecapacity rules. The British based teams had allowed themselves to fall behind Ferrari inengine development, the Prancing Horse fielding a team of 'Shark Nose' Ferrari 156's forPhil Hill, Richie Ginther and Wolfgang Von Tripps.

Moss had taken pole position in Rob Walker's Lotus 18 Climax ahead of Ginther's Ferrariand Jim Clark in a works Lotus. Moss' triumph in Monaco in 1961, his third, is rememberedas one of the greatest and most competitive drives of all time – it was also Lotus maiden F1World Championship Grand Prix win.

Andrew's picture sums up the final moments of the race with Moss leading Ginther, themargin 3.6 seconds, after 2 Hours 45 minutes of racing. Many thanks to FORC memberLeigh Trevail for the use of this painting.

The View From The Editorial Desk

When news broke on Easter Sunday of the passing of Sir Stirling Moss a great manyof you no doubt reflected for a moment about what this meant to you.

So much has been written and broadcast about the man that he can truthfully bedescribed, seriously, as a legend in his own lifetime. Stirling's death naturally triggereda great outpouring, the media replaying the well recorded events in a long full life.

It occurred to me however that many FORC members would have their own memorieswhether from a chance meeting with Stirling or simply watching from a distance overthe years.

Your response to our invitation to share your experiences of Stirling turned out to spanover seventy years. Thank you.

Best wishes Steve Wyatt

Memories Of Stirling Moss By John Furlong

I first attended a motor race meeting at Brands Hatch on 17th September 1950. I can bespecific about the date because we were regaled over the PA by John Bolster with a lustybaritone chorus of “21 today” in honour of Stirling who was fresh from recent successat Silverstone though not in the money on this day.

His and Reg Parnell’s faces were soon to become familiar in Shell adverts on the back ofLondon buses. So also was his pale green and cream XK120 coupé (I think with wirewheels) street parked by Charing Cross near his office and his fast food outlet whichpopularised the word ‘beefburger’, ‘ham’ being deemed inappropriate.

By this time he was already spreading his talents across Formula II and sportscars whilecontinuing to put on a good show in the highly competitive Formula III and thiscontinued until he got into the 250F Maserati in 1955.

Jim Russell burst into the big time by winning the Daily Telegraph Trophy at BrandsHatch in August 1954, beating hot favourite Moss into second place. This didn’t suitKen Gregory, Secretary of the Meeting and Stirling’s manager, who had planned a bit ofa PR scoop so, unusually, Moss received a borrowed laurel wreath and shared the lap ofhonour with Jim.

Jim later told of a sequel to this: with 500 on trailer he was gonged for speeding at theBlackwall Tunnel and when asked the then standard question “Who do you think youare? Stirling Moss?” replied “No, I’ve just beaten him!” whereupon he wascongratulated and wished a safe ….. but slower ….. trip home.

Fast forward to 2011 when the now Sir Stirling came to meet the people at the TheatreRoyal in Bury St Edmunds. I had taken along his biography and was standing patientlyin the queue for signing. Suddenly the queue surged forward and there am I with thebook in one hand and a hot dog in the other. An attractive lady helper, seeing my plightas I approached the presence, took charge of the hot dog, I got my autograph and in abrief chat I asked if he could join us at Snetterton the following weekend. He called tothe bearer of my hot dog “what are we doing at the weekend, Susie?” ….. aka LadyMoss!

Stirling in the Beart Cooper 500 F3 Brands Hatch August 1954

The end of an era By David Duffy

I was lucky enough to meet Sir Stirling and have breakfast with him in the competitors'tent at the Goodwood Revival in 2002.

At that time, I owned one of the two Connaught Sports Racing Cars, chassis ALSR11 –and had entered it for that Revival meeting. That gave me the opportunity to talk aboutthe car with Stirling. He had raced it at Oulton Park in August 1955 for Peter Bell,winning his class.

He was interested to see his photo in Doug Nye's book My Cars, My Career. I came awaywith the impression that he had probably forgotten that he had ever driven the car(which is confirmed in the book!!) But he signed the photo in my book. He wascompletely approachable and open to chatting. A memory to savour.

Above and below. Stirling Moss, Connaught ALSR11, Oulton Park, August 1955.

Memories of a hero by Judy Portway

One of my first memories of Stirling was in 1955 when the Telegraph published a smallphotograph of the winning car in the Mille Miglia, in the centre of the front page; suchan achievement. It was on the table where l was meant to be having a lesson from acramming teacher to pass an exam and l could not concentrate on the lesson. Thenliving in Cheshire we always went to the Gold Cup at Oulton Park and cheered on No 7. Years later, in the 1970s, l sat next to Jenks at dinner in the Radnorshire Arms during aVSCC Prestigne weekend, and somewhat uncharacteristically, when l mentioned myhero worship of Moss he opened up about the race and gave me a personal account. Ihave never forgotten it.

Nic and I went to the Australian GP, in Melbourne, in about 1995. There was a parade oflocal vintage cars and l think Moss drove a Bugatti. l was introduced to him in thepaddock by Gavin Sandford Morgan and we had quite a long conversation, but l was sostar struck that l can't remember any of it!

I met him again at a Brooklands dinner and at a Goodwood Revival some years ago lgave Lionel Webber a photo of him to see if he could get it signed. True to form Lionelcame back with it duly signed.

When l did the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the 90's, in the 1914 TT Humber, inrandom practice l found myself going up the hill a few cars after him. At the top l gotout and found him still sitting in 722 as he had a bad back and didn't want to movemuch; l offered to get him a drink which he declined, so we had quite a long chatthen....Surreal, especially as he was in that immortal car. Last week we found a film ofthe 1955 Belgium G.P. on You tube. The crowd were as memorable as Fangio and Moss,one man pouring a tumbler of chianti and dogs on the track! Picture courtesy Vernon Clarke

In a Mercedes Benz 300SLR at the Goodwood Festival of Speed

To read Dennis Jenkinson's comprehensive account of the 1955 Mille Miglia go tohttps://www.motorsportmagazine.com/ , click on Archives then 1950s and look for June 1955.

MEMORIES OF STIRLING MOSS By Jules Greenway

Having joined the BBC in 1963 as a Trainee Cameraman at Television Centre, I waslucky enough, in 1968, to work on the drama “Mille Miglia.” Written by Athol Fugard ittold the story of the 1955 race famously won by Moss and Denis Jenkinson.

I was hugely excited to be working on this production (as were the other petrol headson the crew!), not least because the nice chaps from the Mercedes Museum in Stuttgartbrought over the winning car, which to my mind was far more of a star than the mereactors, and I got to sit in it! They were not so pleased when, during the rehearsal of thescene depicting Moss and Jenks stopping to change a wheel due to a puncture, MichaelBryant, playing Moss, leant on the bodywork just rear of the door and caused a fistsized dent in the very thin lightweight aluminium!

The play was part of the Theatre 625 strand taking three days to rehearse and recordand we were delighted when on day two Moss & Jenks visited the studio to be reunitedwith “722” and introduced to the Production Team.

Sadly when the play was transmitted they were none too impressed with the way theywere portrayed which was a shame given the effort which went into it! Years later in2005 I was pleased to meet Sir Stirling again, being introduced by Phil Porter whoreminded him of our previous encounter, and he autographed my copy of the book“722” which I treasure to this day.

Stirling signs Jules' copy of '722'

Silverstone 5th May 1956 Norman Reynolds

Seeing the wonderful title page picture from 'The British Racing Hero – From Moss toMansell’, (written by Derick Allsop, published by Stanley Paul), I thought it would makean excellent enlargement for the barn above my Healey 3000. I contacted Getty Imagesand purchased the copyright, at great expense, to use it just once. I had it blown up to60”x 30” from an original image of 8” x 6”. This was done by GGS, Hall Road, Norwich,who made an excellent job.

The picture is of the drivers for the BRDC International Trophy supporting SportscarRace heading for the 'Le Mans' start following their drivers briefing. I could identify allbut one of the drivers, so I enlisted Sir Stirling Moss’s help! See all the images whichtell the complete story. Stirling finished 2nd in a works Aston DB3S behind RoySalvadori in the other DB3S.Stirling won the Formula 1 race in a Vanwall.

Steve Parker has contributed this picture of a very youthful SM at Earls Court for the launch of the Daimler SP250 in 1959 – photo courtesy of the Daimler Press Office and subsequently signed by Stirling. Steve was in the crowd at the time of the Goodwood accident in 1962.

Stirling Moss and Me. By Colin Wright

As a 12-year-old boy who was mad keen on motor racing, I used to send letters tovarious drivers requesting signed photos – the address being: The Steering Wheel Club,London. Miraculously, most arrived at the intended recipient.

The above letter was actually to my sister as I encouraged her to obtain more on mybehalf. As you can see it is a nice letter and a lovely autographed photo. The secondphoto is one I took with a Kodak Brownie at the Oulton Park Gold Cup in 1961 (and inthe distance you can see Stirling in the Ferguson). I sent this to him which he verykindly autographed and returned – however the accompanying letter has gone missing.

1961 Dutch Grand Prix. Held the weekend after Monaco. Stirling was fourth in the Rob WalkerLotus 18 behind the Ferrari's of Von Trips and Phil Hill and Jim Clark's works Lotus 21.

Oulton Park Gold Cup 1961

Living in East Yorkshire, I bought my first racing car, a Reynard FF1600 and throughthis became acquainted with a man called Don Haldenby who had been Stirling’smechanic at UDT Laystall and at that time was also looking after Stirling’s cars; an ElvaMk 7 and a Widi, which was a copy of a Lola Mk 1, built by some Belgian guy.

Courtesy Ken Carrington

Stirling in the Widi at Brands Hatch.

Stirling used to visit Don occasionally – Don would tip me off and I’d just happen toappear! We had many an interesting conversation and incidentally the seat I put in myReynard was formed from the same mould that Stirling used so we had similarbacksides!

Formula 1 Lombank Trophy Snetterton 14 April 1962. By Steve Wyatt

In the days when the Formula 1 World Championship usually started with the MonacoGrand Prix in late May, non-championship Formula 1 races were a feature of theEnglish Spring. The first Snetterton Lombank Trophy was held in 1960 and the last in1964 by then sponsored by the Daily Mirror both won by Innes Ireland.

This was Stirling's last Formula 1 race that he finished, nine days before his Goodwood crash.

©Eastern Counties Motor Club / J. Digby

The picture of the grid split seconds before the start shows Stirling in pole position inthe pale green Climax V8 powered UDT Lotus 18/21 next to Jim Clark in the worksLotus 24 – Climax V8, Graham Hill in the BRM 'Stack pipe' V8 and John Surtees in theBowmaker Lola Mk 4, still with Climax four cylinder engine. Not quite visible are futureFORC guest speakers Tim Parnell and Keith Greene.

The early laps featured a battle between Moss, Clark, and Hill until mechanical issuesforced Stirling to make a number of pit-stops losing five laps to finish seventh leavingClark to win from Hill. Jo Bonnier was a lapped third in a Scuderia Serenissima Porsche'4'. Ironically, in view of what was to follow at Goodwood, Stirling nevertheless setfastest lap.

The original Anglia TV coverage of the race can be viewed on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EY1LKIVd77Y

Sir Stirling Moss – you will never be forgotten. By Douglas Tatum

It was Easter 1962 and as I was on leave staying at my parents house I decided to go toGoodwood on Easter Monday. I think it had been raining, although by the time of theFormula 1 race it had stopped, but was cloudy and overcast.

I decided to go to Madgewick corner, at the end of the pit straight, so that I could seethe start from the raised banking. Graham Hill was in the race and I was lookingforward to seeing a real battle. However, for some reason Moss made a bad start frompole position; I think due to a clutch or gear problem. He managed to get away but atthe tail of the field.

After one or two laps we became aware that something really special was occurringbecause Stirling was overtaking back markers at an incredible rate. As he came intoMadgewick all the spectators were standing up checking their stop watches to see howfar he was behind the car in front. They were mesmerised and cheering and waving inencouragement!

Overtaking proceeded with unbelievable brilliance and by the eight or ninth lap he waschasing Hill. Then came the shock when he didn't appear! Over the tannoy we heard hehad crashed but no further details. Only afterwards I found out that a wheel had goneon the grass at St Mary's and a terrible accident followed.

Graham Hill won the race, although Stirling was credited with fastest lap, but a terriblemalaise seem to come over the crowds and we left feeling very depressed and saddenedthough excited that we had witnessed probably the most exhilarating drive any of ushad ever witnessed.

Mike Dixon took this shot of Moss at the previous weekend’s Snetterton race in the UDT Lotus 18/21 in which he crashed at Goodwood.

Moss, the Maestro and me. By John Purser

After the 1959 World Sportscar Championship win for Aston Martin, all the teamdrivers were made honorary members of Aston Martin Owners Club (AMOC). Yearslater, Stirling had invested in a small company which eventually was run by a leadingAMOC member. Stirling was very good and turned out for Club events whenever hecould, given his frantic schedule of personal appearance. We were his clubmates.

We AMOC members were very lucky that he was occasionally around – and if he was,Stirling delivered at 120%. He had this knack of making you the most interestingperson he’d met that day, week, month. Never tired of answering questions – ‘yourgreatest race? the worst car? the best car?’ He was always engaged with you, one onone.

I can remember three stand-out moments with him. When the Aston Martin Cairn onAston Hill, near Tring was unveiled, he was chauffeuring Paula, David Brown’s widow ina straight-out-of-the-box DB7. (DB was, shall we say, a little older than Paula when theymarried – indeed, he had commented that it was “unusual to be older than your motherin law”.) A small scrum developed around the passenger door to make sure the near 6foot of the comely Lady Paula was folded into the passenger seat. I walked round to thedriver’s door and said ‘you old guys get all the menial driving jobs”. Much laughter.

Stirling came to the grand parade at Windsor when 300 Astons were presented to HMthe Queen and Prince Philip on a cold, wet April morning. The Club organised a picnicin Windsor Great Park afterwards. My wife had said she had once met Stirling – heowned the flat she shared in London and had come to inspect it. “This little chap, witha familiar face, arrived on a Vespa, did a lightning tour, was very charming and thenshot off as quickly as he had arrived”. I saw Stirling and said I wanted to thank him for‘keeping my wife off the streets’. He was highly amused by the story. Which flat? Wasshe pretty? Of course she was! He’d have remembered her!

Stirling taking Roy Salvadori on a few laps of honour in the DBR1 at the Goodwood Revival.Photo courtesy of Stephen Lee.

In 2013, I was invited to judge at Pebble Beach Concours. Judges and helpers get verywell looked after and in the officials’ room I saw Stirling sat alone in a corner, looking abit tired. I went over and asked if he’d like a refresh of coffee? – he’d LOVE one! When Igot back with it, he’d been nobbled by his PR minder for the next job. Whilst Iexplained to the minder about the significance of ‘time to finish a game of bowls’ (inthis case, a cup of coffee) to all true Englishmen, it gave Stirling time to sip it not gulpit. He was then back in ‘work’ mode. “Thanks so much for that, boy! Hit the spot! We’llcatch up for a proper chat later, eh?”

Stirling always had time for you. You were as important to him he was to you. Wealways hope our heroes will never pass beyond us but they sometimes must. Thememories remain to sustain us.

Stirling: The Modern Racer

Having ostensibly 'retired' we must not forget that as well as participating in all sorts ofone off events in the 1970's, and increasingly regular appearances in historic racing,Stirling returned to regular competition in 1980 in the then British Saloon CarChampionship in the Gti Engineering Audi team.

For the 1980 season Moss was the team's number two driver to team co-owner RichardLloyd. For the 1981 season Moss stayed with Audi, as the team moved to under TomWalkinshaw Racing management, driving alongside Martin Brundle.

This didn't prevent him from competing in the first Snetterton Willhire 24 Hours race,also in 1980, in a team of three VW Sciroccos, sponsored by Mayfair Magazine.

Courtesy Mike Dixon

The event was run on a relay basis and had both saloons and sports cars. Other driverswere Desire Wilson, Tony Lanfranchi, Chuck Nicolson, Danny Chau and JulietteSlaughter.

In this Mike Dixon pit shot Stirling confers with Desire and husband Alan Wilson. Unfortunately Lanfranchi went off in the wet and 'put the VW beyond immediate repair!

The Basildon Grand Prix – Leigh Trevail was there...

Many FORC members will recall the talk given by Lionel Webber back in 2008 abouthow, in 1997, he persuaded 'the authorities' to allow a circuit of public roads to beclosed for demonstration runs by a superb field of historic competition cars. Lionelthen persuaded many of his acquaintances to bring their cars more usually seen atGoodwood, to Essex!

Leigh takes up the story..... I went down to the Basildon GP with Malcolm Yarham.Afterwards we we walking around looking at the cars. As we approached a group of oldboys one of them in a light blue pullover who was waving his arms around in ananimated fashion stepped back right in front of me. I had to steady him to try and keephim upright and he had to grab me to stop me from falling, had he not I would haveflattened him as he would have been between me and the pavement! He asked if I wasOK and apologised profusely, as no harm was done I carried on walking and adumbfounded Malcolm said “dddid yyou see who that was, Ssir Stirling Moss” Lookinground Malcolm was right, it was Sir Stirling!

Lionel produced a very entertaining DVD of this event which is now highly sought after.Fortunately we have a copy in the FORC library so look out for when we slip it in to theprogramme at a future meeting.

The Maestro' By Ken Carrington

Most of us have sporting heroes and ‘The Maestro’ was certainly my number one. I hadthe pleasure of meeting him on a number of occasions together with Susie, hischarming wife. The most memorable was at Goodwood, said to be his favourite circuit,even though he almost lost his life there in 1962.

In September 1995 I was at the Goodwood Festival of Speed where Stirling and ‘Jenks’were together in ‘722’ for the first time since their epic Mille Miglia win in 1955, whichI believe to be the greatest ever motor racing feat. I managed to get a couple of shots ofthe pair negotiating the hill, despite being six or seven rows back from trackside withmy camera held high above my head and hoping for the best.

I selected one of the photos, had a 20” x 16” enlargement made – mounted and framed.In the mount there was a small panel with the words “Three re-united – Goodwood1995”.

On Stirling’s 70th birthday, I had the gift-wrapped picture with me at the 1999Goodwood Revival, and with the faint hope of perhaps being able to present it to himpersonally, I was in the paddock from around 7.30 am. It was not long before I spottedSusie Moss with Lord March passing through the paddock and managed to get herattention, explaining my mission. After ten minutes or so, Susie returned having foundthe Maestro in the driver’s briefing marquee, and I was able to present the picture tohim personally. Stirling un-wrapped the picture, and with much emotion, he said “ah,Jenks”, thanked me and shook my hand before he had to return to the marquee. I willbe forever grateful to Susie Moss for making that happen.

'Three Reunited': Ken's shot of Moss & Jenks in 722 at the 1995 Revival.

Whenever the opportunity arose to speak to Stirling, he always left you thinking ‘whata real gent’. On one occasion at the Silver Flag hillclimb in Italy, the lunch-break wasin Vernasca beneath the largest gazebo ever seen, and Stirling and Susie had to clamberover benches and around trestle tables just as we all did. He was a great driver and agreat gentleman.

With Lady Susie in the Osca on the hill between Lugagnano and Vernasca – 27th June 2009

…...in the Ferguson FWD P99 Climax at Goodwood Revival – 1st Sept 2006

….. in a Lotus Cortina at Goodwood Revival – 31st August 2007

and in a Ferrari GTO on the same date.

Goodwood Revival 2002

Thanks to Steve Parker for contributing this evocative shot of Stirling dealing with a Cobra at the 2002 Goodwood Revival.

Photograph by Peter de Rousset-Hall (who also owns an AC Cobra).

SM's co-driver was Kevin Kivlochan who campaigns a Morgan Plus 8 and a Cobra, asshown in the foyer at Race Retro this year, in classic and historic races.

Gold Cup Revisited

Thanks to long serving HSCC Race Official and FORC founder member Fergie Whatlingfor submitting these recollections:

At an HSCC Oulton Park Gold Cup, knowing that Stirling would be attending, a retiredofficial brought in a pack of results and other information for races in which Stirlinghad competed. He very kindly permitted us to run off some copies. The photographbelow captures the moment when these are being delivered by Fergie to Sir Stirling andthe ever smiling Susie.

At the Goodwood Festival of Speed Stirling perhaps remembering his greatest ever drive the Mille Miglia 1955 – the 1961 Monaco GP was pretty special as well.

Sir Stirling Moss Remembered By Johnny Tipler

So, another boyhood hero runs out of road. I did Interview Sir Stirling a few times andthought it might be of interest to mention one or two occasions.

Stirling managed to maintain a front-line presence on the international motor racingscene for at least 60 years after that terrible crash at Goodwood in ’62 effectivelyterminated his Formula 1 career. And indeed, make a good living out of it when somany of his contemporaries were terminated forever – on a weekly basis.

As well as seeing Sir Stirling racing in Historics relatively recently in his OSCA, I was atSilverstone to catch him giving his Porsche 718 RS60 a shakedown, having bought it atAmelia Island auctions, a sister car to the RS61 he’d come so close to winning the TargaFlorio with in 1961.

Stirling in the Porsche 718 RS60 at Silverstone

I wrote a piece for 911& Porsche World Magazine based on the interview I did with himat Silverstone that day. We went through DSJ’s account of the race in Motor Sport, blowby blow, which was truly fascinating.

Johnny and Stirling discuss Jenks Motor Sport Targa Florio report.

What was remarkable about doing an interview with Stirling was that he could answereach and every question based on his comprehensive collection of diariesencompassing his entire racing career: he could say exactly what had happened at the1958 Buenos Aires 500km when he finished 3rd in a Porsche 550 Spyder, co-driven withJean Behra. Or prior to the Monaco Grand Prix, which girl he’d had dinner with, andeven noting that he’d been for a haircut! After Fangio retired, the drivers he respectedmost were Tony Brooks and Dan Gurney, though he recognised that Jim Clark was thenext ‘big thing.’

Another time my photographer colleague Antony Fraser and I called at his Mayfairapartment to do an interview for the Porsche mag, armed with a Boxster press carwhich he would dutifully drive up and down Park Lane for Antony’s benefit.

He’d briefed me that the ‘fee’ for doing this interview would be two bottles of Wolf-Blass Chardonnay, and with some trepidation I went shopping for it in my localWaitrose, it was with some relief that I discovered it was under £10 a bottle. Anyway,the first thing Stirling said when he opened his front door to us was, “Where’s theChardonnay?” Needless to say, it was in my bag.

That reminded me of an event in 1973, when I was John Player Motorsport Press Officer(see my my book “Black and Gold-- The Story of the John Player Specials' – 2018) and

Players hosted a dinner at Donington Circuit to mark Lotus’s 50 Grand Prix wins.(Donington was scarcely opened, and a gallant Emerson Fittipaldi gave us a hilariousride around the track in a Ford Granada rentacar). Anyway, the objective was to inviteto the dinner all drivers who’d won Grands Prix in Lotuses, and obviously Stirling wasfirst on the list. His response? He’d attend, for the fee of £250. Now, that might notsound like a lot today, but in 1973, it was not an insignificant sum of money! So, hedidn’t come.

One interview that I did do to mark that first Lotus Grand Prix victory in 1960 was withClive Chapman, made into a little film for Classic Team Lotus, and the interviewpublished in Lotus’s in-house magazine “Lotus Club International”. What wasextraordinary about it was that Sir Stirling lay in his bed, ankles in plaster, with Clivesat on one side and me on the other. His Mayfair home had an internal lift shaft, butonly a single door and no actual door to the lift. On one occasion Stirling was chattingto his daughter-in-law on the fourth floor, opened the lift door expecting the lift wouldbe right there, and tumbled two floors, breaking both ankles in the process. He seemedremarkably stoical during the interview, and pleased enough with the framed photothat Clive presented him with of his garlanded Lap of Honour in the Type 18.

Sir Stirling and Norman Dewis OBE in a C -type Jaguar in 2012 both sadly now departed.

My Schoolboy Hero By John Goodman

Stirling Moss (later knighted of course) was my schoolboy hero from the 1950s and Ifeel extremely privileged to have met him on a number of occasions, most of whichwere at Goodwood Revival over the years but at sometimes at other events.

As I am sure most members of FORC are aware, Stirling was a close friend of the Dukeof Richmond and he would attend the Revival every year as it invariably fell either onor near his (Stirling's) birthday of 17th September. Indeed, only last year at the Revivalalthough Stirling had retired from public life at the end of 2018, the Duke of Richmondchauffeured Lady Susie on three laps around Goodwood in the Aston Martin DBR1 inrecognition of the absent Stirling's 90th birthday.

Above the TV set in our lounge is 'Moss Corner' where the wall is adorned by threesmall framed prints of Stirling winning the 1956 Monaco GP in the Maserati 250F (carno. 28), the 1959 Nürburgring 1000km in the Aston Martin DBR1 (car no. 1) and, ofcourse, the 1955 Mille Miglia with the inimitable 'Jenks' in the Mercedes-Benz 300SLR(car mo. 722).

Since the news of Sir Stirling's passing, these have been joined by a further free-standing print (purchased from FORC Member Steve Tappin!) of a painting depicting theRob Walker entered Lotus 18 in which Stirling won the 1961 Monaco GP (car no. 20)and one of my many ties, also in the Rob Walker colours of navy blue and white andbearing the repeated logo of the racing number 7, is now currently draped over thatprint as a mark of respect. Also in the lounge is a 1/43rd scale model of the Ferrari250GT SWB in which Stirling won the 1960 RAC Tourist Trophy at Goodwood and thiscar wears the same Rob Walker colours and that famous no. 7. The full size version ofthis car, chassis no. 2119, is now part of Ross Brawn's collection.

In fact, although a number of Stirling's race-winning cars sported a range of differentrace numbers, I believe that it is widely acknowledged that his favourite number wasalways "7" and as a permanent homage to this the registration marks on two of my carsare L7 JCG (Morgan Plus 4) and V7 JCG (MG TF).

Yes, the passing of my schoolboy hero and the legend that is Sir Stirling Moss is so sadand my thoughts and prayers are with Lady Susie and his family at this time.

Moss Memories Quiz

Now you have reached this point in our tribute to Stirling lets see how much information you have gathered to add to what we are sure you already knew:

1. Stirling’s first race win was a three lapper, in 1949, at which airfield circuit?

2. Which International rallies did Stirling take part in during the 1950's. One of them on three occasions?

3. In 1955 Stirling won two races in the UK for the same works team:a) What were these races?b) What cars did he drive?b) On which circuits were they run?c) What was personally significant to Stirling about one of these races?

4. Which works teams did Stirling race with in Formula 1

5. From 1959 Moss drove for Rob Walker in Formula 1, Formula 2, and GT races. How was Rob's profession described in his passport?

6. Stirling took over a car from a former FORC guest speaker during a race which he went on to win in a famous victory.a) What was the race? (Year and name of the race)?b) At what circuit?c) Who did he take over from?

7. Moss took part in the Le Mans 24 Hours Race nine times. How many times was he on the top step of the podium?

8. How many times did Stirling win the British GP?

9. It is generally believed that Moss took part in over 530 races. How many did he win?

10.What were the most popular sobriquet by which Stirling was known?

The answers are at the end of the Newsletter after the Classified Adverts.

The FORC Events CalendarPlease make sure you have these FORC dates in your diaries!

'As we go to press' on 2nd May nobody has any idea when or what programme we can resume. We are taking things event by event. Keep an eye open for FORC Newsflashes, on www.forc.org.uk and the Newsletter for news.

…....................Stradbroke Meetings – Whose coming?

We have kept in touch with Karun Chandhock re. his planned visit on 27th May. It is highly unlikely that gatherings such as FORC meetings will be possible so soon. In any case he is standing by to fly to India as soon as the travel ban is lifted. We have agreed to keep in touch and rearrange as soon as we can.

…....................Wednesday 30th September

John FitzpatrickBritish Saloon Car champion

European GT Champion – and the rest! ….........

Wednesday 28th OctoberMaitland Cook – The John Wyer Years

................ Wednesday 25th November

Rally Legend – Rosemary Smith…...............

Wednesday16th DecemberSteve Plater

British Supersport Champion, IoM TT Winner, etc.…................

Admission to Stradbroke meetings including Coffee/Tea & Cake and Cash Bar is£10 cash per person on the door.

….....................................

Outdoor events: Sunday 28th June:

The 18th P W R Tulip Run.

Tuesday 30th JuneExclusive to FORC Snetterton Track Evening

August Bank Holiday Sunday30th August

The Peter Andrews Memorial SprintSnetterton

Stradbroke High School CARnival

Sunday 6th September

-o-0-o-

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Moss Memories Quiz – Solutions

Now lets see how well you know you Sir Stirling Moss history.

1. Brough, East Yorkshire (Humberside)

2. International Alpine Trial thrice. & Monte Carlo Rally. Usually in a works Sunbeam Talbot.

3. In 1955 Stirling won: a) The British (Formula 1) Grand Prix and the RAC Tourist Trophy b) W196 in the British GP; 300SLR in the TT c) British GP: Aintree/ TT Dundrodd) Stirling won the TT on his 26th Birthday.

4. HWM, Maserati, Vanwall.

5. 'Gentleman'

6. Stirling took over a Vanwall, when his own car failed, from a former FORC guest speaker during a race which he went on to win in a famous victory: a) British GP b) Aintreec) Tony Brooks (Vanwall)

7. Moss took part in the Le Mans 24 Hours Race nine times. But never won.

8. How many times did Stirling win the British GP? Twice: 1955, 1957.

9. It is generally believed that Moss took part in over 530 races. How many did he win? 212.

10.What were the most popular sobriquet by which Stirling was known?- The Wonder Boy- Mr Motor Racing- The Maestro!

Ciao Sir Stirling

We did, of course, try to persuade Stirling to come and 'talk to FORC'. Either, at thetime, we had not become as well established in the motorsport firmament as we aretoday or, as it went on, the great man was reducing his commitments as time, andvarious incidents, took their toll.

Perhaps it is best to remember Stirling as the Champion he really was, as in this JohnnyTipler picture:

Never mind, he was always gracious in his contacts, and we shouldn't let sadness at hispassing stop us being left grateful for his mastery on the race track and the contactswith him that we, you, enjoyed.

As he would have signed off in his customary fashion in our correspondence:

Ciao, Stirling, Ciao, and thank you.