Written by Colin McIlwaine.
The name of Sir Stirling Moss, who has died at the age of 90, is synonymous with the world of motor racing, even for those who don’t follow the sport closely.
Moss is regarded by many (including this writer) as the greatest driver never to have won the Formula One World Championship.
Three times runner up, the winner of sixteen Grand Prix, as well as over two hundred other races, including the tortuous Mille Miglia (Thousand Miles) around the public roads of Italy, Moss was a courageous, determined and exciting driver to watch.
Although a near-fatal accident at Goodwood in 1962 was to put him in a coma for a month and ultimately end his career, he carved out a new niche for himself as one of the nation’s best-loved sporting personalities and was later to take part in classic events and demonstration runs.
My late parents were able to see Moss at the peak of his career and I had the pleasure of both meeting him and seeing him behind the wheel in his latter days.
Stirling will be sadly missed by many in the world of motor racing and beyond and to his wife, Susie and his family and friends, I offer my prayers and condolences.
