RACING LEGEND SURTEES TO ATTEND IRISH RACER AWARDS

Careva Publishing, promoters of the forthcoming Irish Racer, Irish Motorcyclist of the Year Awards, January 16th 2009, are delighted to announce that 8 times World Champion, John Surtees MBE, OBE – who is the only man to have won world titles on both 2 and 4 wheels – will attend the gala evening as guest of honour.

74-year-old Surtees, will need no introduction to the knowledgeable Belfast audience on January 16th, many of whom will remember his first-ever Grand Prix win, just ‘up the road’ from the Shaw’s Bridge venue at the Ulster Grand Prix in 1955.

Surtees won the first of his World Championships [500cc] in 1956 riding an MV Agusta. The Londoner went on to win 7 Grand Prix World Championships [350cc & 500cc] on the same brand of machinery between 1956 and 1960, and he was also the first rider ever to win the Senior TT, three years in succession. In 1959, as a double World Champion, John also lifted the highly acclaimed BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.

At the tender age of 26, Surtees turned his attention to four wheels, making his Formula 1 debut for Lotus in the Monaco Grand Prix at Monte Carlo, before posting a second placed finish at the British Grand Prix, in only his second start in Formula 1.

In 1963 Surtees signed for the iconic Scuderia Ferrari team, taking the title the following year in 1964; also writing a new chapter in the motorsport history books, as the only man ever, to have won World Championships on 2 wheels and 4.

John was honoured by the FIM as a Grand Prix Legend in 2003, and for the record, after his retirement, John’s team [Surtees Racing Organisation] took the late great TT Legend Mike Hailwood to the 1972 European Formula 2 Championship – again on four wheels.

In the 2008 Queen’s Birthday Honours List, John was awarded an OBE for his services to motorsport and charity work, which can now be added to the MBE he was awarded in 1959 for his services to motorcycling.

Another current world champion will be announced in the coming days.

ENDS

Hows about Careva Publishing giving PaddockGossip a couple of tickets for a competition??

I remember Irisher Racer being slagged on here not long ago.Why would they want to give free tickets?:

Forum's a wee bit quiet, just thought it might jazz up some interest - thats all!

I don't think we'll have any need to give 2 away as the demand is thankfully very big as usual. BUT I'll review it over the next 4/6 weeks and if we have any spaces then I might do something.

We appreciate the support.

Irish Racer wrote:

QUOTE:
I don't think we'll have any need to give 2 away as the demand is thankfully very big as usual. BUT I'll review it over the next 4/6 weeks and if we have any spaces then I might do something.

We appreciate the support.:)

As in the words of Mrs doyle (fom father ted) a go an go an go an go an, you know you wan to. Not that it will make any difference to me as we have already booked a table.