ROYAL AUTOMOBILE CLUB PAYS HOMAGE TO SIR STIRLING MOSS

News Release

Following the announcement of his retirement from motor racing at the 2011 Le Mans Legends event at the La Sarthe circuit, the Royal Automobile Club has paused to honour the incredible achievements of club member, Sir Stirling Moss OBE.

Winner of the Royal Automobile Club Tourist Trophy a staggering seven times between 1950 and 1961 and awarded the Segrave Trophy by the Royal Automobile Club on two occasions, Sir Stirling has been one of the greatest ambassadors of the sport.

Ben Cussons, Chairman of the motoring committee of the Royal Automobile Club, was quick to praise Moss’s competitive history: “One name has been consistently associated with top-level motorsport worldwide for the last half-century, and that name is Stirling Moss.”

“His unquestionable driving skills and flawless sportsmanship have been a shining example to generations, and it is these attributes that have earned him so many accolades – including being one of the elite group awarded the Segrave Trophy on more than one occasion.”

The Segrave Trophy is awarded to a British subject with 'the Spirit of Adventure' for the most outstanding demonstration of transportation on land, water  or in air; the award was created in 1930 to commemorate the life of Sir Henry Segrave. Moss was presented with the trophy in 1957 for winning three Grand Prix races and breaking five International Class car records, and again in 2005 for lifetime achievement and services to motorsport.

His Tourist Trophy victories reflect his versatility – achieved in cars from four different manufacturers – and his collection of seven TT wins is three ahead of his nearest rival and is unlikely to ever be beaten. First awarded in 1905, the Tourist Trophy is currently awarded by the Royal Automobile Club to the winner of the FIA GT1 World Championship and remains one of the most coveted trophies in the world.

The Royal Automobile Club recalled Moss’s victory in the 19651 Monaco Grand Prix by displaying his Lotus 18 in the Pall Mall Clubhouse, London ahead of this year’s race.  He described it as his “greatest race”

Ben Cussons concluded: “Stirling may have retired from racing, but I doubt he will be slowing down, he has inspired a generation of motoring enthusiasts and will no doubt continue to do so. The Royal Automobile Club would like to extend to him our best wishes for the future.”