People in the Isle of Man will have a chance to hear first-hand from a true icon of British motor racing this autumn.
At a black tie dinner event designed to ‘celebrate one of the greatest British motor racing drivers of our time’, Sir Stirling Moss will talk about his love of motor racing and draw on highlights from a glittering career. The event on Thursday 18th October is being organised by the Isle of Man Sporting and Dining Club and is once again sponsored by HSBC.
Known during his career as ‘Mr Motor Racing’, Stirling became a professional driver in 1948 at the age of 18, racing a Cooper 500. In 1955 – a seminal year - he was signed by Mercedes-Benz to partner World Champion Juan Manuel Fangio, who he famously beat to win the British Grand Prix at Aintree. In that same year, he also won the epic 1,000 mile Mille Miglia road race, the Targa Florio road race and the Tourist Trophy at Dundrod. For four years he finished runner-up in the Formula 1 Drivers World Championship, his sportsmanship at the Portuguese GP allowing Mike Hawthorn to win the 1958 Championship title by half a point at his expense.
In the late 1950s and early 1960s, he led the changeover to rear engined Formula 1 cars with the Cooper-Climax, whilst his victory in the 1961 Monaco Grand Prix, racing a Lotus 18 against the more powerful Ferraris, is still regarded as one of the best Formula 1 races ever. During his remarkable career, he raced 107 different types of car, across all classes of motor sport. Out of the 375 competitive races in which he finished during his professional career, he won an astonishing 212 - more than one win in two.
Deciding to retire from professional motor racing following a near fatal accident at Goodwood in 1962, Stirling expanded his commercial interests with the same vigour that he employed when racing, particularly his property business which he runs to this day with his family. Stirling is also well known for his love of design and the latest gadget, and in 2009 the Stirling Moss brand was created. He continues to demonstrate the cars he raced and take part in car rallies.
A charity raffle will yet again be held during the dinner in October, with all funds raised being donated to a local charity to be nominated by sponsors HSBC. At the last IoM Sporting and Dining Club event in June, featuring British Lions rugby players Willie John McBride, Gareth Edwards and JPR Williams, a total of ?1,165.00 was raised for the St Johns Ambulance.
Kevin Cartledge, Senior Manager at HSBC in the Isle of Man, said:
“The Isle of Man traditionally has a strong alignment with motor racing, not least through the TT, so I’m sure there will be many people who will be keen to hear from one of the all-time greats of the motor racing world. Of course, we also aim to maintain the good work done though these Sporting and Dining Club dinners by raising a significant sum of money for local charities.”
John Wannenburgh of the IoM Sporting and Dining Club added:
“Sir Stirling Moss really is a true British legend, one of the original jet-setters, and remains in huge demand as a speaker at high profile events around the world today. Between 1954 and 1962, he took part in 318 races of all types, winning 134 of them and finishing 225 – not bad considering cars were not all that reliable in those days! We are very fortunate to welcome Stirling to the Isle of Man and I’m sure he’ll have some fascinating tales to tell of a truly remarkable career.”
The event will take place on Thursday 18th October at the Mount Murray Hotel & Country Club in Santon, with dinner tickets costing ?65 for members and ?80 for non-members, available by contacting the Club on 07624 495749 or at john@sportinganddiningclub.com.
