2014 is going to be a busy year for racer John Surtees; it’s the 50th anniversary of his Formula One World Championship with Ferrari, and it’s his 80th Birthday. But even those two milestones don’t really do justice to his achievements. There is a lot more.
Between 1956 and 1960, Surtees won seven World Championships and six Isle of Man TTs on 350cc and 500cc MV Agusta motorcycles. Stepping from bikes and into Formula One cars, he drove for Lotus, BRM, Cooper and Honda and then, from 1963, for Ferrari. After winning the Nurburgring and Monza 1000km races in Enzo’s sports cars, he took the Formula One World Championship in 1964 in a Ferrari 158. Winning world championships with both bikes and cars is a feat unmatched by any other racer.
Moving on again, he won the 1966 Can-Am Championship in the Lola T70 MkII – a car he helped develop. Between 1969 and 1978 he ran his own team – Team Surtees – designing and campaigning cars for Formula 5000, Formula Two and Formula One.
Over the summer, both John and his machines will be at some of the most prestigious classic racing events and venues across the country, so you’ll need to know which ones are the best to attend in order to catch meet the man, photograph the vehicles, and hear his stories.
April 26-27th: 34th Carole Nash International Classic Motorcycle Show, Staffordshire County Showground
John will be the star attraction at what is one of the world’s biggest classic motorcycle events.
Appearing with the man himself will be both the MV Augusta and a Ferrari 158 in the United States colours of blue and white that Enzo Ferrari used for that event, plus the sole running example of the last special works machine produced by Norton, the F Norton.
Surely he's the only man in the world who was employed by both Enzo Ferrari, Count Agusta and Soichiro Honda so it will be fascinating to hear him talk about his experiences.
The racing Maestro isn’t the only special guests. Among the rows of stunning display machines keep a look out for the Moto Major; an incredible looking, one-off machine built by Italian Salvatore Majorca in 1949. It has never been seen in the UK before.
Also, the Rolls-Royce Motorcycle Club is bringing a 1923 349cc ohc-engined Cotton, which its owner believes is the only one in existence. The National Motorcycle Museum – back this year – and the Bonham’s auction will doubtless bring a further selection of rarities.
Advance tickets for the show are on sale online at: www.classicbikeshows.com or Tel: 01507 529529.
May 3-5th: Donington Historic Festival
John Surtees will be Guest of Honour at this year’s Festival and will be at the track on the Sunday and Monday of the event (4-5 May). During that time, he will also be holding autograph sessions for spectators.
Donington Park has a wider significance for the Surtees family. John’s father (who raced motorcycle and side cars) often spoke about his racing experiences there before the war. He also knew
Major Shields who was the owner at that time and lived in the hall. Also, John’s son Henry had his only F3 race at Donington in 2008, winning his class.
The 2014 Donington Historic Festival will raise funds for the Henry Surtees Foundation, a trust inspired by John Surtees following Henry’s tragic death at just 18 years old while competing in an F2 race in 2009.
Advance discounted tickets for the Festival can be bought via DoningtonHistoric.com, or through the 24-hour ticket hotline Tel: 0844 873 7355. Advance ticket sales close at 5pm on Wednesday, April 30th 2014.
May 26th: Edenbridge Fun Day (Kent)
Here’s a chance to see the man and his cars in Team Surtees’ home town. There will be some rarely seen racing cars and bikes taking to the streets in a special anniversary tribute parade through the town
The cavalcade will start at 3.00pm, with John leading the procession along High Street in the Ferrari 158 in which he won his 1964 Formula One Driver's World Championship. He will be followed by cars and bikes significant to both his and Team Surtees history.
These will include a 1960 four-cylinder MV Agusta GP motorcycle and a 1954 BMW Rennsport twin-cylinder motorcycle – Surtees raced for the factory team at the Nurburgring in 1955. There will also be a 500cc 1949 Vincent Grey Flash motorcycle built by John in 1979 using a large number of parts from the original machine that he built in 1950 whilst working as an apprentice at the Vincent Company.
The first Formula One car built by Team Surtees at its Edenbridge base – the TS7 – will also make an appearance. The car won the Gold Cup and finished fifth in the Canadian Grand Prix in 1970. The 1972 TS14, which came fifth in the World Championship driven by Mike Hailwood and Carlos Pace, will also feature in the procession and will be the 1973 TS15 that came second in the World Championship running a Brian Hart-developed Ford BDA engine, also driven by Mike Hailwood.
Edenbridge has been Surtees' business base for the past 56 years. As well as celebrating John’s remarkable racing achievements, the Fun Day will raise awareness – and funds – for local charities including the Kent Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance and Henry Surtees Foundation.
May 26th to 12th June 2014: John Surtees Photographic exhibition
To tie in with the Edenbridge Fun Day, the Topfoto Gallery in Edenbridge will be holding a Surtees photographic exhibition celebrating his life and career.
The exhibition will be open on Monday 26 May (Bank Holiday) to tie in with the Edenbridge Parade and will continue until 12 June.
Open: Monday to Friday 9.00am - 5.00pm, and Saturday by appointment.
Address: Eve at the Gallery, The Roman Road, 1 Fircroft Way, Edenbridge, Kent
May 29th: Octane Magazine presents ‘An Evening with John Surtees’ at The Royal Automobile Club.
Octane is honouring John Surtees with an evening at the Royal Automobile Club, and offering a select few the chance to sit down with one of the greatest all-round racers ever at a three course dinner in Britain’s finest motoring club. Lucky guests will get to hear some of the greatest racing stories first hand.
Also, on display for the first time, will be paintings that John has commissioned from Graham and Michael Turner to commemorate his milestone year, plus on display in the clubs rotunda John’s Ferrari 1964 Ferrari 158 in the blue and white racing colours of NART, the North American Racing Team of Ferrari importer Luigi Chinetti and his F Norton motorcycle.
Tickets for 'An Evening with John Surtees' are available now at £125 each. Places are strictly limited, so book early. These can be purchased from: http://shop.instant-shop.com/Octaneshop/product5400536catno390536.html
June 5th: Guild of Motoring Writers celebrate life and career of John Surtees at Celtic Manor Resort, Newport, South Wales
The Guild of Motoring Writers has put together an action packed motorsport themed event to celebrate John’s remarkable career. Both the daytime and evening events will also raise money for The Henry Surtees Foundation.
Daytime Event programme:
• Buffet lunch and display of some of the cars and bikes that played an important role in John Surtees legendary career, including the legendary NART liveried FI Ferrari 158
• John Surtees signing session and photo opportunities
• Passenger rides in a cross section of exotic sports cars to raise money for the Henry Surtees Foundation
Evening
• Champagne reception
• Celebration Dinner, followed by an interview and Q & A session with John Surtees
• Promises Auction of motor sport memorabilia raising money for the Henry Surtees Foundation
• Late night entertainment with Toseland the rock band fronted by double World Superbike Champion James Toseland
For further details or to book tickets, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/honouring-john-surtees-tickets-11198076749
June 19th: John Surtees launches his new book, John Surtees: My Incredible Life on Two and Four Wheels
The official media book launch for John’s book launch will take place at the Royal Automobile Club, London on Thursday 19th June.
In its 304 pages, this legendary driver chronicles every great moment from his racing life. Surtees’ own commentary is written in collaboration with leading motorsport journalist Mike Nicks. Both the riding and driving careers are beautifully illustrated with more than 250 candid and behind-the-scenes shots. Images from the world’s finest motorsport picture libraries are augmented with pictures from Surtees’ own collection.
The standard edition costs £50 and the leather-bound limited edition (80 copies signed by John Surtees in his 80th birthday year) costs £175. Royalties from sales of the book will go to the Henry Surtees Foundation. Published by Evro, and available from all good retailers, including The Signature Store, Amazon and directly from www.evropublishing.com
Members of the media wishing to attend the book launch should contact: rebecca@eventspr.co.uk, or Tel: 01452 260063.
June 26-29th: Goodwood Festival of Speed
Goodwood Festival of Speed, a Mecca for motorsport fans of all eras, is to honour John Surtees’ racing life and success. This garden party for the greatest cars will celebrate the 50th anniversary of John’s 1964 F1 crown with a display of 10 cars and three motorcycles raced during his unique career as a world champion on both two and four wheels.
These will include;
Lotus 18: Surtees drove the car in his third Formula 1 race, the 1960 Portuguese GP, setting pole position and record lap of 112.31mph, and also finished 2nd in the British GP whilst still motorcycling.Lola Mk4: driven for Reg Parnell and the Bowmaker Racing Team in the ’62 season. He finished fourth in the drivers’ table.Ferrari 158: Surtees World Championship-winning car of 1964, plus the 1964 Ferrari 158 in the blue and white racing colours of NART, the North American Racing Team of Ferrari importer Luigi Chinetti.Lola T70: Surtees won the 1966 Can-Am Challenge Cup in the Chevrolet V8-powered T70 MkIISurtees TS7: the first car built by Surtees’ team and designed by , Ken Sears, Shahab Ahmed and John . Finished fifth in the 1970 Canadian GP.Surtees TS11: the car won the 1972 European Formula 5000 series with Gijs Van Lennep, while Sam Posey finished second in the US series in this model.Surtees TS14: built for the 1972-73 season, this was the first F1 car to fully comply with the new ‘crumple zone’ safety regulations. It was also the car in which Surtees drove his last F1 race at Monza in 1972.Surtees TS15: running a Brian Hart-developed Ford BDA engine, these 1973 Formula Two cars were driven by Mike Hailwood and sometimes Surtees. They finished second in the championship.Surtees TS19: designed by Surtees and Ken Sears, this was the last Formula One car from the Edenbridge team. It became as famous for its ‘Durex’ sponsorship as for its on-track performance.Surtees: 500cc 1949 Vincent Grey Flash, 500cc 1953 Works Norton and MV Agusta 1960 motorcyclesThe Henry Surtees Foundation will have a stand within the Surtees marquee displaying all of the official merchandise which will be available to purchase/order.
Also, look out for John at ‘The Signature Store’ stand where he will be doing daily signing sessions of his new book: John Surtees: My Incredible Life on Two and Four Wheels.
Tickets for the Festival of Speed can be bought at: https://ticketing.goodwood.com/motor-sport/festival-of-speed.html
July 1st: HSF Team Karting Challenge and G.H. Mumm Champagne Reception
John, in co-operation with Mercedes-Benz World, Brooklands, will be hosting the HSF Team Karting Challenge to celebrate both his 50th Anniversary and his 80th Birthday.
Now in its third year, this charity event in aid of the Henry Surtees Foundation will feature a challenging 2 hour endurance race (in Daytona high performance DMax karts), and a number of racing stars past and present will be in attendance.
During the racing programme, the familiar Ferrari 158 will lead a spectacular on-track display of cars, with guest racing drivers Alexander Sims, Sam Bird, Max Chilton plus distinguished Hollywood movie actor Sir Patrick Stewart OBE and Brendan Cole from Strictly Come Dancing.
Once the racing is over, drivers and guests retire into Mercedes’ state-of-the-art venue at the historic Brooklands circuit, where they will be able to explore fascinating exhibitions, get up close to legendary Mercedes-Benz vehicles, and enjoy the G.H Mumm Champagne and canapé reception.
Sports presenter Steve Rider and motoring writer Henry Hope-Frost will host the evening, interview John’s special guests and the day’s track stars. They will award the prestigious 'H' trophies and present a glittering auction conducted by Malcolm Barber of Bonhams.
How Could You Be Part of John Surtees’ Special Anniversary Celebrations?
Enter a team or teams to compete in the 2014 HSF Team Karting ChallengeFor non-competitors, purchase individual tickets for the evening G.H. Mumm Champagne and canapé receptionShare this invitation with your family, friends and business contactsTo enter, a team of four costs £1,000 (including 4 tickets to the G.H. Mumm Champagne and canapé reception). In addition, we ask you to confirm that your team will secure a minimum of £500 in sponsorship or make a minimum donation of £500. For non-karters, to attend the evening G.H Mumm Champagne and canapé reception costs £65 per person.
Please email info@henrysurteesfoundation.com to secure your place on the grid, and to reserve individual tickets for the G.H. Mumm Champagne and canapé reception. Numbers are strictly limited, and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Henry Surtees Foundation
The Henry Surtees Foundation was inspired by motor sport legend John Surtees OBE, following the tragic death of his son Henry, killed aged just 18 years old whilst competing in Formula 2 race in 2009. The aim of the Henry Surtees Foundation is to:
• Assist people with brain or physical injuries caused by accident to return to community living by the provision of equipment and facilities
• Provide education and training associated with motorsport-related programmes in technology, engineering, and road safety instruction
• A resource for young people (up to 18 years old) providing advice, assistance and to organise physical and educational activities to develop personal skills so that they can participate in society as independent, mature and responsible individuals
Last year the foundation donated monies raised to purchase equipment for the Kent Surrey Sussex Air Ambulance to enable them to introduce blood transfusions. Working in conjunction with Honda, they supplied two Honda CR-V vehicles to transport blood to the Air Ambulance service. For further details, please visit: www.henrysurteesfoundation..com
About the Henry Surtees Foundation and the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance
Last year the Foundation donated monies raised to purchase equipment for the Kent Surrey Sussex Air Ambulance to enable them to introduce blood transfusions. Working in conjunction with Honda, they also supplied two Honda CR-V vehicles to transport blood to the Air Ambulance.
In the first 12 months of the new HSF-supported service, the Air Ambulance has performed 69 emergency blood transfusions.
George Barber (owner of the Barber Museum and a collection of cars and motorcycles associated with John Surtees’ life) has made the title-winning Ferrari 158 available to John Surtees for the events this season, along with a challenge that if it raises £50,000 for HSF, Mr Barber will match it!
