Who do you most admire?

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corned

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In a quiet few contemplative moments today, I drifted into thinking about who I most admired in a motoring context.

The answer came up after a few possibilities emerged and were eventually discounted. My vote is for Tom Wheatcroft. What he achieved in his life was utterly amazing, and to have retained a very level headed and down-to-earth outlook on life was a telling mark of his character.

I think I most admire his ability to take absolutely no detritus from anyone, no matter what relative position then were in. I bet there are several council planners who to this day flinch if ever his name is mentioned. :thumb:

So - your votes please. Remember that it has to be related to motoring endeavour/achievement/etc.
 
Rudi Uhlenhaut - responsible for much of what Mercedes-Benz is today .
 
Mike Hailwood
Probably the best motorcycle rider ever.

Stirling Moss and Fangio are very close seconds
 
Tom Kinnaird, a man of very similar vane to Tom Wheatcroft, 2 men who created 2 of the best circuits in the UK, Donnington & Knockhill at which I have had the pleasure of working at both. Truly dedicated to bringing Motorsport to the masses.
 
Barry Sheen or James Hunt the shunt, smoked tabs (lots), drunk beer (lots), gorgeous women on every arm, world champs in their field, proper proper playboys, lived life to the full, sadly, both not of this world anymore!
 
A hero for both me & my Dad.
There are no words good enough for this man.:thumb:
 
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Nils Bohlin, inventor of the modern 3 point seatbelt.

Frederick Lanchester
 
I could probably cite many people, but one who stands out is Dr Alex Moulton, a man who has dedicated his life to engineering and even today, as he approaches his 91st birthday, is still actively involved in running his company and has major motor manufacturers beating a path to his door.

I spent a day with him about eight years ago, and came away hugely impressed with his sheer enthusiasm for his specialism. He is also a very skilled driver, and even then - when he was in his early eighties - it was a pleasure and a privilege to driven by him on his test course around the lanes of Bradford-on-Avon.
 
Graham Hill - archetypal Englishman, talented driver and a bit of a character by all accounts.
 
Some notable and worthy nominees there - thank you. Please keep them coming.

I think my personal runner-up, after FBW, would be Mike the Bike. Surtees got the plaudits, but somehow Mike was much more 'of the people' and therefore much more of a hero.

Reginald Molehusband - that made me laugh out loud.
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Some notable and worthy nominees there - thank you. Please keep them coming.

I think my personal runner-up, after FBW, would be Mike the Bike. Surtees got the plaudits, but somehow Mike was much more 'of the people' and therefore much more of a hero.

Reginald Molehusband - that made me laugh out loud.
eusa_clap.gif

Well he did teach many of us of a certain age how to reverse and not to hog the middle lane
 
Bruno Sacco!
 
Marcello Gandini for designing lots of automotive porn.
 
For the purity of the engineering:
Harry Ricardo.
Colin Chapman.
Keith Duckworth.
Frederick Lanchester.
Vincenzo Lancia.

For their contribution as engineers to production cars:
Alex Issigonis.
Spencer King.
Alex Moulton.

For setting the standard:
Henry Royce.
William Lyons.
 
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