'Big John' launches Classic Team Surtees

By Mike Nicks

The sound of classic Formula One cars will echo through the streets of the small town of Edenbridge in Kent (UK) on May 27 when motorsport legend John Surtees launches a new concept, Classic Team Surtees.

John himself will drive the 3-litre Cosworth-engined Surtees TS7 that he debuted at the 1970 British grand prix at Brands Hatch.

A route of about two miles will take vehicles in the parade through Edenbridge High Street, and the event will allow crowds to see racing cars that were built at the Team Surtees factory in the town when the motorcycle and car world champion became a car constructor.

A 1972 Surtees TS14 Formula 1 car, formerly driven by Mike Hailwood and Carlos Pace, and a 1973 2-litre TS15 will also be demonstrated, together with two motorcycles from the Surtees collection, a 1960 500cc MV Agusta and a 1955 500cc BMW Rennsport flat twin.

"With Classic Team Surtees we will maintain and parade cars and bikes from the collection to raise awareness for the Henry Surtees Foundation (www.henrysurteesfoundation.com) and to raise funds for it," John said. "We'll be doing more events like this during the year."

Surtees' versatile talents as a motorcyclist, car racer, car constructor and now a restorer make him the only person in the classic motorsport world who can demonstrate cars and motorcycles that he personally raced and built.

The phrase Classic Team Surtees has a ring of pure heritage about it that will appeal to event organisers and spectators.