John Surtees (1934-2017)
John Surtees (1934-2017), motorcyclist and racing driver.
1934 Born in Surrey, son of John Norman (Jack) Surtees (1901–1972), a motor engineer, former bus driver, and sidecar racer, and his wife, Dorothy Cynthia, née Gray (1909–1998).
Jack Surtees owned a cycling shop in addition to competing, which provided an introduction for John to the sport.
He acted as his father’s trainee mechanic, so he mixed with star riders of the day, like Eric Oliver and Harold Daniel.
Reportedly assembled his first motorbike at the age of eleven.
Apprenticed at Vincent motorcycles.
Initially he raced a 500cc B14 Excelsior-JAP, a Vincent Grey Flash, and a Norton
Soon graduated to riding an MV Agusta.
Subsequently he moved to Italy, courtesy of Count Domenico Agusta
1956 Earned victory for the MV Agusta team in the 500cc Senior TT, the first of his seven championships.
In 51 starts in motor cycle races between 1952 and 1960, he won 38 and was placed in another 7. These races were on other makes as well as MV Agusta, against the wishes of Agusta.
1960 Drove for Lotus in Monaco
Won second place at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, in his second race.
1961 Awarded MBE
1964 Won the Formula One championship, driving a V8 Ferrari.
1965 Set up his own racing team, Team Surtees
1970 Set up the Surtees Racing Organisation, also selling the cars made known through racing.
Raced in Formula One until 1972, for a range of teams including Lotus, Cooper, Ferrari, Honda, BRM, McLaren.
Surtees moved into the restoration of cars and motorbikes; continued racing at the annual Goodwood Revival.
2008 Was made OBE
2016 Was made CBE.
2017 Died at St George’s Hospital, Tooting.
See Also
Sources of Information
- Biography of John Surtees, ODNB