John Surtees Two & Four Wheel'd World Champion.

SevernCrescentRacing · 1st-Dec-20, 10:53 PM

There is all this talk about Lewis Hamilton getting a Knighthood I do not have a problem with at all. But what really bugs me is John Surtees was never awarded the honour of being Knighted. He was a motorcycle world Champion as well as a Formula One World Champion. But Stirling Moss never won a world championship and gets a kighthood . :

woodcote · 2nd-Dec-20, 09:09 AM

I'm not sure there is any rhyme nor reason to the honours system, beyond cynical political patronage that goes back to medieval times and a few 'popular' choices to give it some semblance of respectability and impartiality. The very long list of people who have rejected - or handed back - honours is just as interesting, a strange bunch of bedfellows from John Cleese to Bernie Ecclestone.

Bernie turned down a knighthood, which means there are just seven motor racing knights: Sir Henry Segrave (1929), Sir Malcolm Campbell (1931), Sir Jack Brabham (1978), Sir Frank Williams (1999), Sir Stirling Moss (2000), Sir Jackie Stewart (2001) and Sir Patrick Head (2015).

It is good for a 'niche' sport to be recognised in the wider world, but I think the most important thing is the memories and opinions of the fans and the respect and admiration we hold for these greats. John Surtees is certainly right up there.

CMOTD · 2nd-Dec-20, 09:47 AM

The whole honours system is a complete nonsense. Lewis is already an MBE, a Member of the order of a British Empire which no longer exists and harks back to a time that he actively campaigns against. So why did he accept it?

A knighthood means nothing and I would prefer he be given a peerage, as Ian Botham was, which would enable him to pursue his campaigning in the heart of government.

If you think such things are important then Surtees should certainly have joined the list of Motorsport knights.

BAracer · 2nd-Dec-20, 12:14 PM

For me, they have to pay tax in this country to make it into the qualification list.

Scuderia_Turini · 2nd-Dec-20, 12:54 PM

(2nd-Dec-20, 12:14 PM)BourneAgainRacer Wrote: For me, they have to pay tax in this country to make it into the qualification list.

Agreed,
Sadly it seems to be more about giving money to political parties than to the people.
All part of the corrupt society.

KensRedZed · 2nd-Dec-20, 01:45 PM

What? Life isn't fair? What a paradigm shift. Idea

Scuderia_Turini · 2nd-Dec-20, 03:11 PM

(2nd-Dec-20, 01:45 PM)KensRedZed Wrote: What? Life isn't fair? What a paradigm shift.

LOL