Sir Stirling Moss at 80

Posted by Kevin Guthrie Sep 4, 2009

I'm sure every fan of motor racing would like to congratulate Sir Stirling on clocking up 80 years and showing no signs of slowing down. His is a household name, familiar to young and old alike. I've only ever witnessed him racing once, at Knockhill. Despite being an OAP Stirling fought tooth and nail for the lead of an historic sports car race, leaving everyone else trailing in his wake.

In many ways Stirling was the prototype for the modern Formula 1 driver. He didn't make vast amounts of money from racing, but he was shrewd enough to make more than his contemporaries. After his career ending Goodwood crash in 1962 he turned his mind to other ventures, becoming a successful businessman.

Today Stirling still leads an incredibly active life, between public appearances and driving historic racing cars. Remarkably, his phone number is, and always has been, listed in the telephone directory. Stirling is one celebrity who knows how to treat the fans. Any call is answered, and any mail is replied to.

In the years since Stirling competed in Formula 1 some aspects of the sport have changed for the better, such as safety. Other areas have changed for the worse. Drivers are no longer approachable, as they prowl behind paddock security fences. The sport could do with someone like Stirling today, but I doubt there will ever be another one. This, remember, is the man who spoke up in defence of his title rival Mike Hawthorn when it looked as if the Ferrari driver would be disqualified at Oporto in 1958. Hawthorn got to keep his second place and won the title from Stirling by a single point. No, they certainly don't make them like Stirling Moss anymore.