Life in the Fast Lane: Sir Stirling Moss, OBE
Sir Stirling stands before the Royal Chelsea Hospital with the Ferrari 250GT SWB, in which he won the 1961 TT at Goodwood.
Vintage Seekers in conversation with one of the greatest all-round drivers in motor sport history on his racing highlights
Friday 26th August, 2011
There have clearly been many great achievements during your career, but what would you pick out as your ultimate highlight? It would have to be Mille Miglia 1955 [which he won in the record time of 10 hours 7 minutes 48 seconds, finishing almost half an hour ahead of teammate Fangio in second place].
Which classic car models do you particularly admire and why? Mercedes 300slr, which is the finest sports car ever built; Maserati 250f, probably the nicest F1 car to drive; Maserati 300s, very well-balanced; Cooper Formula 1, because it's strong, reliable and fun to drive; Ferrari 250swb, which I think is a well-balanced, fast, comfortable grand touring car.
Onto your on-the-road soundtrack: what’s your favourite music to listen to whilst driving? Light classics or music from the 50s and 60s like Sinatra, Ella, Nat King Cole, Blossom Dearie etc.
What made you decide to hang up the helmet, so to speak, in your motoring career this year? I realised that I would scare myself if I was competitive and it would no longer be fun.
Who or what inspired you to pursue motor racing, and what about the sport has continued to keep your passion alive? Prince Bira and his book "gold star hat trick" and also my father, who continued to feed my passion.
As patron of Chelsea AutoLegends, what are you most looking forward to about this year’s event? I enjoy getting involved because it is an extremely relaxed, well-orchestrated show which London deserves. I am looking forward to meeting some fabulous old friends amidst some equally fabulous old cars!
Sir Stirling Moss is patron of Chelsea AutoLegends, which is on Sunday 4 September 2011 www.chelseaautolegends.com
