23 replies to this topic

[Roger Clark]

Moss crashed at Goodwood on 23rd April 1962.

Sadness at a great career prematurely ended is balanced by relief that he survived and gratitude for the pleasure he continues to bring forty years later

[bkalb]

I've always been struck by the similarity, at least superficially, between Moss's '62 crash and Senna's fatal crash in 1994. The footage of both shows the cars going straight on instead of around a curve, for no reason immediately apparent to the outside observer and with no obvious attempt by the drivers to turn into the curves. It was the first thing that went through my mind when Senna went into the wall at Imola--before we realized how serious the crash was: "That looks exactly like Moss's crash in 1962."

Senna's car had telemetry, of course, not to mention an in-car camera, and I've read that the data show he was indeed attempting to turn to the left when he hit the wall--which strongly suggests either a mechanical failure, or, as I've also read, a possible combination of cold tires and a bumpy track that threw him off the racing line.

There was no such thing as telemetry in Moss's day, and I gather Moss still has no recollection of the accident or how it happened. There is only a moment of film footage of his car going peeling off from Graham Hill's as they enter a turn and plowing straight ahead (at least I've only seen one brief and uninformative snatch of film). His crash therefore remains one of the great mysteries of modern motor racing. I prefer to believe that, like Senna, one of motor racing's greatest drivers did not crash because of a mistake on his part, and that elements beyond his control were responsible for ending the career of one of the sport's true champions.

Barry

[Gary Davies]

Thanks, Roger. You've expressed my feelings precisely.

My dad had promised to take me to the International Trophy in May to see my hero race for the first time .... alas.

Gary.

[Marcel Visbeen]

I just came across this reminder to never, never, never trust the internet as a primary source for research:

April 23, 1962 in History

[Doug Nye]

The little bugger's lingered a long time, hasn't he?

DCN

[Vitesse2]

I really think you should tell Stirling about that, Doug!

Meanwhile .....

[Marcel Visbeen]

Originally posted by Vitesse2

Painfully accurate...

[David McKinney]

It's not only the internet...
Today's edition of the once-great Daily Telegraph makes reference to the 19th-century children's author Enid Blyton

[FrankB]

Originally posted by David McKinney
It's not only the internet...
Today's edition of the once-great Daily Telegraph makes reference to the 19th-century children's author Enid Blyton

... but of course she was born in the 19th century... although her more commercial work probably wasn't completed until the next century, unless she was extremely precocious!

[Alan Cox]

It's a long time now since the Daily Telegraph was a great paper. Any paper that persisits on putting photos of female celebrities on the front page, instead of a news picture, clearly takes the view that the news is of secondary importance.

[David Beard]

Originally posted by Alan Cox
It's a long time now since the Daily Telegraph was a great paper.

But isn't the F1 correspondent fairly reasonable?

[Alan Cox]

Sadly, David, the writer you have in mind doesn't actually report the GPs in the DT. He writes his F1 diary for the Motoring Telegraph, and provides the race reports for MN. Yes, I think he is "fairly reasonable". Sorry for going OT.

[Pat Beard]

Originally posted by Vitesse2
I really think you should tell Stirling about that, Doug!

Meanwhile .....

That's too accurate to be funny.

[Roger Clark]

Originally posted by Pat Beard


That's too accurate to be funny.

The quality of TNF membership has just improved beyond all recognition. Welcome!

[Alan Cox]

Indeed. I do feel, however, that the occupation you list on your profile is a tad unkind to Mr Beard.

[David McKinney]

Welcome indeed Pat

[Cirrus]

I hope that Schloss Beard is a two-computer home, or there could be some even later nights in store!

[David Beard]

Originally posted by Pat Beard


That's too accurate to be funny.

Proper TNfers....I apologise for the intrusion.

Back to the subject. Didn't Stirling himself once say accidently that he died that day at Goodwood?

[Kingsleyrob]

Originally posted by David Beard


Proper TNfers....I apologise for the intrusion.

No need to apologise David - I always enjoy your intrusions ;)

I note that Roger started this thread some six years ago, and thank goodness Sir Stirling is still 'lingering' as DCN put it. When someone has been in your consciousness and indeed a hero for 45 years out of nearly 53 (I realise rather more for you David), it's almost unthinkable to think what life would be like without them around. That's not to diminish in any way the loss of family/friends/loved ones - but Sir Stirling gives a kind of comforting connection to the past, which all things being equal, and assuming he ain't superhuman, won't last forever.

So back to the positive - let's keep enjoying him and revel in the fact that we can still see him and get an autograph or three when we are in his close company. He is very obliging in that area as we found out at Donington last year during 'An Evening with Sir Stirling'.

While we are on the subject, I know they are not on our doorstep, but the same goes for Dan Gurney and Sir Jack. Sir Jackie is of course more youthful, and probably even has yet another autobiography in him...

John Surtees too of course.

And let's not forget Tony Brooks and Roy Salvadori who both, like Sir Stirling, provide us with a link with the 50s. Can I mention Chris Amon, too? Great that he's still enjoying life, just a pity he can't reminisce back home with Bruce and Denny.

Apologies to any I might have missed, no offence meant!

Rob

[David Beard]

Originally posted by Kingsleyrob


and assuming he ain't superhuman

Always has been as far as I'm concerned...

[Wolf]

Originally posted by David Beard


Proper TNfers....I apologise for the intrusion.

Back to the subject. Didn't Stirling himself once say accidently that he died that day at Goodwood?

I believe so. OTTOMH- in 'All But My Life' he recollects a dinner date where lady asks him if he remembers what happened a year ago (presumably, they've met, or something like that- but it was to a day a year after Goodwood) and he retorts that he was killed at Goodwood. (IIANM, he then, presumably as puzzled as his date, asks 'Whatever made me say that?')

[Gary Davies]

Originally posted by Kingsleyrob

- but Sir Stirling gives a kind of comforting connection to the past, which all things being equal, and assuming he ain't superhuman, won't last forever.

Ah but he is superhuman. Jack Brabham said as much after Stirling lapped the field twice (and Brabham once, as I recall) in the (wet) 1961 International Trophy race.

[Paul Medici]

Imagine my surprise when this letter arrived in New York some 46 years ago.
I also remember writing that I couldn't wait to see him in a Ferrari GP car,
and then feeling really awful later on when I learned that his injuries would end his career.


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[Mal9444]

Originally posted by Paul Medici
I
and then feeling really awful later on when I learned that his injuries would end his career.

Isn't there a story about the fan (i.e. someone like us) who in later years said to him: 'the day you announced your retirement was the saddest day of my life' and Stirling is said to have replied, not unkindly: 'well if that's the way you felt, how do you think I felt?'



But I do wish they wouldn't put those daft photos up on his website. I cannot help but feel that an icon is being made to look just a little bit naff, even tacky (and I stand second to no one in my admiration for and loyalty to The Man).