Legends

How could Stirling Moss not be born to race? After all, if you had grown up in a household where your father raced sports cars in his spare time and once finished 16th in the Indianapolis 500, and your mother was also a champion driver, you would likely wind up with a passionate interest in the sport, too. Although he never won a world championship, it was his off-track demeanor that, over the years, made him one of the best-known — and best-liked — racing personalities.

Born in London, England, in 1929, Moss, along with his sister Pat (who also became a world-class rally driver) literally grew up around racing. After an active racing career as a young man, Moss broke into Formula One Grand Prix racing in 1951. Although his cars were largely non competitive, his performance led to a ride with the Mercedes-Benz factory team in 1955 where he was paired with the legendary Juan Manuel Fangio.

Both drivers dominated the season with Moss scoring his first victory. But the major highlight that year was his win at the Italian Mille Miglia, a 1,600-kilometer road race. During this period, Moss was racing almost constantly, averaging more than 50 events per year in open-wheel Formula racers as well as production sports cars. The 1956 season had Moss driving for Maserati, followed by two years with the British Vanwall team. In what proved to be his most productive period, he scored nine Grand Prix victories (out of 23 events), plus numerous sports-car wins.

From 1959-’61, Moss drove both Cooper and Lotus race machines for whiskey baron Rob Walker. But, with both cars either unreliable or underpowered, there were fewer victories to celebrate. Still, his unmatched skill and daring kept him in the fight, winning two championship races and finishing third in the points for three consecutive years. In his final full year of racing, Moss won an amazing half of the 54 total events he entered. In 1962, disaster struck Moss in what would be his last Grand Prix race. While competing in a non-championship event, his car went out of control and slammed into an earth bank. Moss sustained life-threatening injuries and although he pulled through, his racing career was over. In the years since, Moss has remained connected with the sport, providing broadcast commentary as well as driving and officiating at various antique and vintage events all over the world. He has also received a knighthood from the Queen in recognition of his achievements.