John Surtees joined the likes of British riders Geoff Duke, Mike Hailwood, Phil Read and Barry Sheene when he was inducted into the
MotoGP Hall of Fame at
Donington Park yesterday (Thursday) afternoon.
Sixty-nine year old Surtees is the only person to have won World titles on both two and four wheels. He won seven World Motorcycle racing titles and the 1964
Formula One World title for
Ferrari.
"I grew up with motorcycling after the war, when my father showed me how to maintain bikes - and then I began racing them," said the 68 year old, who won at total of 38 Grand Prix en route to seven titles in the 350cc and 500cc World Championships from 1956 to 1960.
"It was a real education for me and it is nice to be honoured in this way, in a sport which gave me so much. I still enjoy watching MotoGP and I am looking forward to this weekend," he enthused.
Surtees was inducted into the Hallf of Fame by three-times 500cc world champion
Kenny Roberts.
John Surtees – main career achievements:
First Grand Prix: 1952 Ulster 500cc
First Podium: 1955 Ulster 250cc
First Grand Prix victory: 1955 Ulster 250cc
Grand Prix victories: 38
2nd places fionishes: 4
3rd place finishes: 3
Podiums: 45
World Championship wins: 7
