Even sixty years after his last professional race, Stirling Moss is still a name that evokes speed. The esteem he is still held in, four years after his death, was evident on Wednesday when over 2,000 people, luminaries and the general public alike, gathered to celebrate his life and achievements at a service of thanksgiving in Westminster Abbey, London.
Born in London, he was renowned as the fastest driver never to win the World Championship, although he came agonisingly close on several occasions. Once, in 1958, he defended his main rival, Mike Hawthorn, when Hawthorn was threatened with a penalty. That was enough to tip the balance in Hawthorn’s favour and he went on to win the championship that year.
Moss often found himself in underpowered or uncompetitive cars because he was fiercely patriotic and had a preference for driving British cars.
Arguably, his most famous win though was in a Mercedes 300 SLR when he and co-driver Denis Jenkinson dominated the Mille Miglia race around Italian public roads, at an average speed of close to 100mph. That very car, 722, was on display in the sunshine outside Westminster Abbey, along with several of his other racing cars. All were selected by his son, Stirling Elliot Moss, who organised the memorial.
Service
The service was started by the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle KCVO MBE, Dean of Westminster, who began by saying:
“We gather to give thanks for the life and achievements of Sir Stirling Moss. We remember the competitor who was ever the gentleman. We racall his rare talent and courage; that compelling ability that made him excel on the race track.
‘Movement is Tranquility’ he said, and lived out a long life with an eager urgency. We grieve for our loss as we celebrate all that he gave us. Here we will pray for those family members and friends who feel that loss most deeply and we will commend Stirling Moss to the God in whom we all have our beginning and our end.”
Then, some of Stirling’s racing memorabilia was brought to the altar, including his racing helmet, Monaco Trophy and his British Racing Driver Club Gold Stars. Appropriately, the Monaco Trophy was brought up by Damon Hill, World Champion in 1996, whose father Graham won the race five times.
Stirling’s son, Stirling Elliot Moss then read from a letter written by his father:
“The stars, to me, symbolise all I ever wanted to achieve. Look at the stars, my son, and know you can do it too. They will be different stars for something quite different but just as imprtant and precious – to us both – as mine. But take time out, also, to consider the helmet and be reminded that everything worth achieving comes at a cost. If you are lucky, you might never get the bill. But don’t bank on it. Before you start, be sure you are willing to pay the price. I was, and I did, and I have no regrets.”
Commentator and author Simon Taylor then paid his tribute, detailing Stirling’s career and his many achievements but mainly paying tribute to Stirling’s gentlemanly qualities.
Sir Jackie Stewart was next to speak and while he acknowledged that he and Stirling had often clashed on the subject of safety, he spoke of their close friendship and showed an autograph he had received from Stirling at a race meeting in the Scottish borders, well before he himself had started racing cars.
He mentioned the son of five time World Champion Juan Manuel Fangio had made the trip from Argentina to be at Westminster. When Fangio, Stirling’s hero and mentor, died in 1995, both he and Jackie Stewart raced to Fangio’s home town of Balcarce in Argentina to attend the funeral.
Stewart also paid a marked tribute to Stirling Eliot Moss, for organising the memorial service. Stirling’s widow, Susie Moss, unfortunately passed away last year.
Le Mans and sportscar legend, Derek Bell, read the bidding prayers and there was a final tribute from the Dean, who acknowledged that he wasn’t a racing fan but felt that this occasion will be the one he’ll be asked about most often in the future, despite overseeing the funeral of Queen Elizabeth and the crowning of King Charles.
As the bells rang out for the end of service, a veritable who’s who of racing luminaries filed out in front of us.
Ex World Champions included Damon Hill and Nigel Mansell, Anthony Hamilton was there to represent his son, Lewis. Gary Brabham, son of Jack Brabham was there, as was Red Bull’s Christian Horner, Rowan Atkinson and Richard Hammond.
There was time afterwards to admire 722, possibly the most famous racing car in the world, along with some of Stirling’s other significant cars, including his Jaguar XK120, Lotus 18, Maserati OSCA and the 1960 Goodwood TT-winning Ferrari 250 GT SWB.
A fitting tribute to a racing life.
Hope for Tomorrow
hopefortomorrow.org.uk is the charity set up by Stirling and Susie Moss as founding patrons. It created the world’s first mobile cancer care unit in 2007. To donate, click here.
