The church of speed, who are your "saints" of motorsports

[Vitorio]

A remark about a religious-like dogma in the 919 Ring discussion made me think this would be an interesting topic. If motorsports were a religion, who would you nominate for sainthood, and why?

A few simple rules, nominee must be deceased (AFAIK the catholic church doesnt saint living people either), and have performed one or more "miracles" to the benefit/greater glory of motorsports.


Ill get the obvious one out of the way:

Stefan Bellof, for his absolutely mind numbingly quick, balls out lap of the Ring, setting a record that stood untill just a few days ago.

[sinbaddio]

John Surtees for me.

[Limpet]

John Surtees. Four time motorycle world champion and one time F1 champion. An incredible achievement that has never been matched.

[Agent XXX]

MS

[RogerExplosion]

Possum Bourne was a hero of mine growing up. Extremely upset when he passed.
St Possum!

[Vitorio]

Agent XXX said:

MS

Not officially dead AFAIK, so im a bit torn on him, although on merit im 100% in agreement, the man transformed F1

Also, if i may ask, could you guys post a small bit of text about the driver is question? I doubt there will be many on here not familiar with the exploits of Schumacher, but some lesser known drivers would be much more interesting with a small summary of why they deserve sainthood rather then just a namedrop

[Agent XXX]

Ascari

Fangio

Nicole Farina

Phil Hill

Jody Schekter (ok, not dead...........yet)

[toasty]

Hardly a saint but Ayrton Senna deserves a mention.

[forzaminardi]

Agent XXX said:

Ascari

Jody Schekter (ok, not dead...........yet)

Is that some sort of threat...

Gilles Villeneuve, surely, and his 'arch-rival' Didier Pironi deserve sanctification.

Surtees is a good shout for his achievements on two wheels and four, and after retiring from driving.

[GravelBen]

Henri Toivonen

[GiveItSomeWellie]

Bernd Rosemeyer

[Chris Stott]

Jim Clark

[MikeT66]

Ken Miles. Largely forgotten, unrecognised for a large part of motorsport history, yet an undoubted genius behind the wheel.

Also, Dan Gurney. A true gentleman racer to the end.

Edited by MikeT66 on Wednesday 4th July 12:03

[NickGRhodes]

toasty said:

Hardly a saint but Ayrton Senna deserves a mention.

Donnington - European GP 1993 in the wet. Miracle driving.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GOEorrE4mY

[cocopop]

To avoid repeating some names already, Nuvolari for me.

[Voldemort]

Robert Hubbard

Who he? Invented the HANS device

[crispian22]

If in doubt,flat out.

The late,great Colin McRae.

Genuinely upset when he passed.

[forzaminardi]

NickGRhodes said:

Donnington - European GP 1993 in the wet. Miracle driving.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GOEorrE4mY

Great lap, except another Brazilian's was even better - Rubinho!

[Munter]

Sid Watkins

There are a number of F1 drivers, walking about and telling outrageous lies about their ability, because Sid either directly or indirectly (in partnership with Jackie Stewart et al), saved their life.

[Watchman]

Donald Campbell