JOHN SURTEES CBE 11TH FEBRUARY 1934-10TH MARCH 2017
recently had lunch with John Reeks, owner of the Benetton B190 Formula One car, to discuss his forthcoming visit to us on Thursday 18th May. We were joined by Steve Cropley from Autocar. True to form, it wasn’t long before the discussion moved on to past legends from motor sport on two and four wheels and inevitably who remains with us from those very special days.
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As usual, John Surtees’ name came to the top and with good reason. We were aware that John had been ill with a respiratory condition for some months and that he was back in St George’s Hospital, London. Sadly, within two hours we had received the news of John’s passing, ironically on the same day as Barry Sheene’s death in 2003.
On a personal level, I was lucky enough to be able to follow John Surtees’ career as he won world championships on both two and four wheels, a unique achievement. I was therefore delighted when we managed to secure him for the first of our ‘Legends’ talk series in March 2015. They say never meet your heroes but in this case it wasn’t true. I’m sure I speak for the 350 members who packed the Brooklands Hall at Mercedes-Benz World that evening to listen intently to John’s story in the company of Simon Taylor when I say we were charmed by this quiet, unassuming man. He took time to sign books, photographs and more importantly to chat to the audience. John Surtees was a brilliant racer and a true gentleman.
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The March 2015 BTM event, ‘An Evening with John Surtees’, hosted by Simon Taylor (left) at Mercedes-Benz World in aid of the Henry Surtees Foundation (Cliff Bolton).
all richer for what he gave to the sport and in later years his unquestioned drive and support for the Henry Surtees Foundation, with which the Museum worked closely to organise the annual charity kart race on the Mercedes-Benz World track.
Our condolences go to John’s family and close friends. Thank you John.
He was indeed a motor sport legend and we are VIEW FROM THE CLUBHOUSE
Trust Members will introduce a new ‘Networking Group’ for Club level members and their guests. ‘Brooklands Connected’ is designed to bring members together with invited guests from the world of motor sport, automotive journalism and aviation in an informal and friendly environment. These events will be held in the Members’ Bar and Blue Bird Room and the next one will take place over lunch on Friday 26th May.
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BTM Club level member Tony Whitburn explains how a chat in the Bar led to an unexpected meeting for him: ‘Following a pleasant Friday lunch at Brooklands with like-minded enthusiasts,
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Left to right: Derek Bell, Henry Hope-Frost and Jacky Ickx at the London Classic Car Show (Henry Hope-Frost).
am delighted to inform you that, following discussions with the Committee, Brooklands
Steve Clarke News
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