"My social life was better than Lewis Hamilton's"

Sir Stirling Moss on what it was like to race F1 back in the 50's and 60's.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/hardtalk/8849492.stm

Just a 2 minute excerpt from the interview, but it might be worth watching for the full broadcast of this one.

"nicer looking young ladies who were interested in noise and color" rofl...I may have found the quote for my life

still quite entertaining

That lucky dog. (from jalopnik)

He might have just passed Senna as my favorite F1 driver. On second though, let's just say he has a strong lead in the "favorite F1 drivers that are still with us" category.

I actually worked with an older woman at BMW who said she slept with Moss years ago!

I have had a man-crush on Sir Stirling Moss ever since I met him when I was just a lad. He told me I could do anything I wanted. At the time I wanted to be an astronaut.

I have read a few biographies on the man, and one day I would really like to meet the man. Inspirational to say the least.

One of my favorite pictures in all of motor racing is the 722 Mercedes sliding through a corner with Jenks reading pace notes and spectators lining both sides of the road.

My first born son will be named Sterling.

and his quotes about running Le Mans and what he did between stints is priceless..."it's relaxation...not resting...!" or something like that...he's my hero!

Did anyone else notice the volume on the video goes to 11?

Another ;)

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote:

When `racing was dangerous, and sex was safe'.

Is that a Denis Jenkinson shot?

nderwater wrote: Another ;)

I hate this guy already

Something I always like about interviewing these classic racers, they always make a slight stab that back in their day they didn't wear seatbelts or crash helmets etc etc. But you never really hear them mention how much faster current F1 cars are. Or that because they didn't wear safety equipment drivers usually died or got maimed. Great racer, good interview. But come on. Be honest.

Or have anywhere NEAR the media circus following them. It's much easier to chase tail all night long when the papparazzi isn't following you 24-7.

But knowing Brittish humor, I bet Sterling said it tongue firmly planted in cheek.

Sir Stirling and his wife, Susie:

Yep, looks like the man had it then and still has it now.

friedgreencorrado wrote: Is that a Denis Jenkinson shot?

I was curious of the photog, too. Did some searching, but couldn't find any source with attritibution.

Jenkinson could have taken the shot, but pictures of him after the MM would suggest he was in too bad a shape to hold a camera, let alone take such an intriguing image.

The "not too thorough" search included the likes of Jesse Alexander and Rainer Schlegelmilch, but no luck with either of them.

Here's a pic of Moss and Jenks after the race:

Don't forget that's only a snippet of the interview. It could be that he acknowledges the fact that a huge percentage of Grand Prix drivers didn't survive the season in the 60's later on.

I met Moss years ago, during the 1990 Mille Miglia. I was leaving Brescia after the "tech inspection" and was heading past the big M-B dealership. On a hunch I pulled in and drove around back. Yup, there was the 722 SLR and a gullwing up on the lift getting the final pre-race check. Sitting in the corner of the showroom was Moss, taking a bit of a break. I didn't disturb him long, just enough to get an autograph and wish him luck.

I met him at the Mitty during the late 80s-early 90s. He was in an Elva BMW and was still blindingly quick. He came by the Worker Party on Saturday to say thanks, and ended up hanging out with us for a couple of hours. I don't know if I've ever met someone so modest, and yet amazingly confident at the same time.

Highlight of the party was an inpromtu R/C off-road buggy race between the trees in back of the tower at Rd.Atl. "This looks intriguing," he said. Well of course, one of the racers immediately offered him the TX to try it. I wish I'd had my camera..he was absolutely delighted with it.

His sister Pat was no slouch, either.

Oh please don't get me wrong. Sterling Moss is a super classy guy. I'm not hating on him or anything like that! I think he's just saying how different racing is now from then. Not that then was better.

Drewsifer wrote: Oh please don't get me wrong. Sterling Moss is a super classy guy. I'm not hating on him or anything like that! I think he's just saying how different racing is now from then. Not that then was better.

Not saying that at all, dude. Any study of our sport in those days should show that it was a very dangerous time.

BTW: Forgot to say on the other thread..congrats on mustering out! Welcome home, dude. Enjoy yerself for a while, OK?

friedgreencorrado wrote: BTW: Forgot to say on the other thread..congrats on mustering out! Welcome home, dude. Enjoy yerself for a while, OK?

Oh alright, if I have too

I understand his number is right there in the London phone book.

I remember reading the Ken Purdy interview when I was about 12. One thing I've never forgotten is something along this line: "I never worry about crashing. The car could break, but I must leave that to the mechanics. As for the possibility that I could make a mistake and go off the road, the thought never occurs to me. I would feel very insulted if anyone suggested such a thing."

nderwater wrote: Another ;)

My first thought was I bet the owner's in the background screaming "Watch the paint, the paint!"

A friend asked me which I would rather have, a hot car, or a hot girl. I told him: "The car; if you have the car, you get the girl!"