Happy Birthday John Surtees

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Feb 7, 2010
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The only person to win both 4-and 2-wheeled GP titles is 83 years young.
 
I am surprise Surtees has never received a royal gong for his contribution to motor sport. I believe he really worked at honing his skills and achieved so much. The guy that interests me is Redman - also an achiever.
 
Surtees was the first rider I ever saw racing who was a World Champion. A superb "stylist" and extremely consistent as a rider and a perfectionist with his machinery preparation.
Such an achievement to follow up with winning the F1 crown too.
Surtees has been awarded several honours, MBE, OBE and CBE.
Motorsport, particularly bikes, rarely gets acknowledged with a knighthood.

There may be others, but Sir Jack Brabham and Sir Stirling Moss spring to mind.... but both in the 4 wheel arena.
Only Joey Dunlop with his posthumous knighthood, and that from the Tynwald - Manx Parliament.
 
Yes indeed, Mike Hailwood did receive an MBE (and a George Medal) but I did - or thought I did - mention a recipient of a knighthood.

Has anyone - other than Joey Dunlop - been knighted for their services on a racing motorcycle.
 
I am not an advocate of the award system here in the U.K. But it just shows how farcical the system is. Over paid, over rated footballers receive knighthoods, but you have a tremendous person like John Surtees who is a world champion on two and four wheels (the only one ever) getting lesser honours.
 
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