STIRLING MOSS

Stirling Moss grew up on an estate on the Thames called ‘Long White Cloud’. It was prophetic given his love of this country, and the success he enjoyed here. I thought he was merely being polite when over dinner in an Italian restaurant, a short walk from his home in Mayfair, he said, “If I didn’t live here, I’d live in New Zealand”. But I’ve since read that same sentiment in his wonderful book, which summarized his racing career.

Arguably no other driver made their first trip to these shores with greater fanfare, but in January 1956, his name had already transcended the sport. People without the slightest interest or knowledge of motor racing knew his name. And what a name it was — a brand that lasted his entire life. His Scottish mother had proposed their little boy be given a more traditional name associated with her country of origin, but a compromise was reached in honour of her birthplace — Stirling. He added glamour to any event, and signing the 26-year-old was a major coup for the organizers of the third