Andy Priaulx now an MBE; John Surtees now an OBE

Just noticed this in the Queen's Birthday Honours list today:

http://news.bbc.co.u...age/7453019.stm

Other notable sportsmen and women to receive the MBE include four-times world touring cars champion Andy Priaulx, for services to sport and the community in Guernsey, former West Brom footballer Cyrille Regis, and Arsenal Ladies' players Kelly Smith and Julie Fleeting.

"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."

And John Surtees, the only man in history to be crowned world champion in both Formula One and motorcycling, also received an OBE.

Great stuff for John, and Andy especially, who's been a great WTCC driver the past few years. He deserved it.

Isn't it three WC's and one European title?

This is very good for Andy Priaulx. He is a great driver who has a great knowledge of motorsport in general and is a generally good guy. He's won numerous world championships without much recognition and its about time he got some. John Surtees is a legend in the motorsport world and very much deserves his OBE.

Thoroughly deserved recognition for the pair in my opinion

Surtees is 44 years overdue I think he didn't get one earlier because (1) Bikes weren't 100% respectable (2) he was unlucky enough to go in F1 at the same time as Jim Clark and Graham Hill, Jackie Stewart and Jack Brabham.

He is unique in winning on two and four wheels and his work with Ferrari and Honda as well as his own team deserves acknowledgment and respect.

Congratulations John and Andy...thoroughly deserved for you both!