I was at the Silverstone Classic the other week, watching (among others) Sir Stirling Moss, in his first race since breaking both ankles in a fall down his lift shaft earlier this year. Not many 80-year-olds would have survived the fall at all… let alone be back racing a few months later.
Thing is, everyone was going to say he drove brilliantly, whether he did or not. But believe me – he DID drive brilliantly. Fast and precise at the wheel of his little red OSCA, he and his co-driver climbed steadily up the field until Sir Stirl was leading the class. Then, with just 10 minutes of the hour-long race to go, his gearbox stuck in fourth and he pulled into the pits (gifting the class victory to rock star Chris Rea). “We were flying and I really enjoyed it,” said the indefatigable Moss afterwards.
We need more blokes with this sort of spirit.
