John Surtees and Andy Priaulx honoured by Queen in Birthday Honours Two of UK motor sport's biggest names have been honoured in the Queen's Birthday Honours List. John Surtees receives an OBE for services to motor sport and charity while Andy Priaulx receives an MBE for services to sport and the community in Guernsey.
John Surtees is the only man to have claimed world titles on both two and four wheels. He had already won the motorcycling world championship seven times before he added the Formula 1 world championship in 1964 at the wheel of his Ferrari. Now 74, Surtees is still heavily involved in motor sport both with Great Britain's A1 GP team and also managing his 17-year-old son Henry's single-seater career.
Andy Priaulx is the reigning and three-time World Touring Car champion. Originally from Guernsey, his career is a text book rise through the junior ranks of motor sport. He started in the grass roots environment of hill climbing, graduating through Renault Spiders and British F3 into the British Touring Car Championship before emerging onto the European and World stage.
"It is quite a surprise to receive an envelope with the royal logo on," said Priaulx. "I was really taken aback and very honoured to read they wanted to bestow the MBE on me. I love my racing and am proud to carry the flags of both Guernsey and the UK on my car and overalls, so recognition of this sort is something really special."
Colin Hilton, Chief Executive of the Motor Sports Association said:
"I am delighted that both John and Andy have been awarded these honours. For John, it is a long overdue recognition of his marvellous achievements and on-going enthusiasm for the sport; for Andy, it is hugely deserved after his dominance on the world scene.
"Both John and Andy are very important friends to UK motor sport. Andy is one of the high profile Ambassadors of the MSA's new Go Motorsport project that is designed raise the sport's profile and attract new recruits to the excitement of motor sport. John has long been a champion of opportunities for young people and will next week be helping the MSA to launch our Let's Go Karting initiative that will give youngsters around the country the chance to have a go at karting for just £5."
