Gentleman John Surtees, Rest in Peace

John Surtees died in a London hospital after a "brief intensive care period" after being admitted with an existing respiratory condition.

The Formula 1 and MotoGP former Champion was 83.

Although he never recieved Britiain's highest civilian honor, a knighthood, he was recognized and beloved by his English fans and recognized by the Queen as Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

Surtees started his racing career as a sidecar rider for his father racing motorcycles. It was't until 1956 that he won his own world championship at the 500cc level, the first of four consecutive championships at MotoGP before announcing his decision to move to Formula 1 racing. He would make his debut in 1960 in the Lotus.

During a string of successes on track, Surtees also won the Senior TT and the Isle of Man TT three consecutive years in 58, 59 and 60. The annual gathering on the British Isle of Man would see world class racing on the streets of the small island community, completely banning traffic on Mad Monday, the last day of the week-long tournament.

In 1963 Surtees signed with Ferarri and in 1964 he won the title World Formula 1 Drivers Champion.

To this day Surtees is the only person to win a MotoGP title and a Formula 1 Drivers Championship.

In 2009 tragedy struck when his son was killed in a Formula 2 race in England. In his honor, Surtees started a memorial foundation and has seen to it's business every year since.

Surtees was from a legendary generation of drivers in F1. In a period of time when the mortality rate was at it's highest, John Surtees fought, won, crashed and recovered and survived. He was one of the last of the "balls out men of racing".

RIP

photo explanation:  (from top) Calm and confident John pre-race; from British Grand Prix at Brands Hatch 1970; Legend and survivor John Surtees in the Ferrari;  MotoGP champion 1956;  Monaco tunnel 1969; Surtees leading at Oulton Park 1965; rare blue Ferrari at Watkins Glen 1964

-katykarter