Among Britain's Most Heralded Racers

“As long as I can remember, speed and machines have been a part of me,” said JOHN SURTEES, who won seven world motorcycle championships, then switched to auto racing and captured the 1964 Formula One points title. Surtees passed away on March 10.

- Richard Goldstein

John Surtees, an English-man who won seven world motorcycle championships, then switched to auto racing and captured the 1964 Formula One points title, becoming the only racer to hold both two- and four-wheel world crowns, died on March 10 in London. He was 83. He was being treated for a respiratory ailment at the time of his death, his family said in a statement.

Surtees was among Britain’s most heralded auto racers of the 1960s, joining Graham Hill, Jim Clark and Jackie Stewart as Formula One champions in that decade.

“AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER, speed and machines have been a part of me,” Surtees said in the spring of 1966 as he returned to auto racing after a crash in Canada in 1965 that almost took his life.

While barely into his teens, Surtees rode in a sidecar, alongside his father, who competed in motorcycle races. Surtees went on to win four world motorcycle titles with 500cc engines and three others in the 350cc division from 1956 through 1960, representing Italy’sM. V. Augusta team. He was known to Italians as Figlio del Vento — Son of the Wind.