Surtees To Be Celebrated At Autosport International Show

HE MAY have missed out on a knighthood but John Surtees’ life in motorsport will be celebrated at the forthcoming Autosport International show.

Marking the start of 50th anniversary celebrations of the British legend’s 1964 Formula One World Championship win, his title-winning Ferrari 158 leads a special display at the show, which runs from 9th to 12th of January at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham.

After taking seven motorcycle Road Racing World Championships, Surtees became the first man to win world championships on both two and four wheels when he secured the 1964 title with Ferrari. It’s an accolade Surtees still holds today, and he’s also the last Brit to have won an F1 crown with the Italian manufacturer.

Commenting on the planned celebrations, Ian France, Autosport International Show Director, said: “With 2014 marking 50 years since John Surtees secured the Formula One World Championship with Ferrari, we’re honoured to be hosting John and a collection of his race cars and bikes at Autosport International.

“Spanning motorcycles from his formative racing days as a teenager to his title-winning Ferrari 158 and cars from John’s time as an owner with Team Surtees, it’s a special collection of motorsport history.”

Other Autosport International displays will feature contemporary Formula One machinery on the F1 Racing Grid and showcases of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship and Wales Rally GB.

For more ticket information call 08445 811420 or visit www.autosportinternational.com.

By Press Association reporters