Goodwood pays tribute after Sir Stirling Moss dies at age of 90

Tributes have been flooding in following the death of motor racing legend Sir Stirling Moss, including heartfelt words from Goodwood, where he raced in his heyday and had become part of the fixtures and fittings at events like FoS and Revival.
Sir Stirling Moss at Goodwood in 2015 / Picture: John PeriamSir Stirling Moss at Goodwood in 2015 / Picture: John Periam
Sir Stirling Moss at Goodwood in 2015 / Picture: John Periam

Sir Stirling is regarded as one of the greatest Formula 1 drivers of all time, even though he never won the World Championship.

Moss retired from public life in 2018 because of ongoing health problems.

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Announcing his death today, Easter Sunday, his wife Lady Moss said: "It was one lap too many, he just closed his eyes."

A Goodwood statement said: "It is with great sadness that we announce Sir Stirling Moss passed away peacefully in the early hours of Easter Sunday.

"Moss became indelibly associated with Goodwood over the years. It was the scene of his first and last races, he was a patron of the Festival of Speed and ever-present at the Goodwood Revival where he was always mobbed by fans and well-wishers.

"Moss retired from public life a little over two years ago because of ongoing health problems. Tributes to Britain’s most famous racing driver have poured in from the global motorsport community:"

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Sir Stirling, who excelled in Formula 1 and many other disciplines, had thrilled crowds at Goodwood in his heyday - and had excited them just as much on his many return visits in the past 25 years or so for events such as the Festival of Speed and Revival.

Sir Stirling Moss where he should be - in the cockpit / Picture: Jack TerrySir Stirling Moss where he should be - in the cockpit / Picture: Jack Terry
Sir Stirling Moss where he should be - in the cockpit / Picture: Jack Terry

Three-time F1 world champion Jackie Stewart told BBC Radio 5 Live: "He walked like a racing driver should walk, he talked like a racing driver, he looked like a racing driver and he set a standard that I think has been unmatched since he retired."

Sadly it was a crash at Goodwood that effecitvely spelled the end of his competitive career.

Over the Easter weekend of 1962, he was driving at Goodwood when he was badly injured in a crash, the cause of which is unknown.

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He was in a coma for a month and it was a year before he tried a comeback. In a private session, also at Goodwood, he discovered that while he could still produce fast times, his concentration had gone - and he announced his retirement.

Sir Stirling with the grid girls in 2016 / Picture: Michael ReedSir Stirling with the grid girls in 2016 / Picture: Michael Reed
Sir Stirling with the grid girls in 2016 / Picture: Michael Reed

Did you see Sir Stirling at Goodwood? Send your pictures and memories to [email protected] or tweet @stevebone1

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Sir Stirling Moss in action for the Settrington Cup at Revival / Picture: Michael ReedSir Stirling Moss in action for the Settrington Cup at Revival / Picture: Michael Reed
Sir Stirling Moss in action for the Settrington Cup at Revival / Picture: Michael Reed
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