Classic Team Surtees to raise funds for Foundation

John Surtees, the only man to win world titles on two and four wheels, is to use his collection of historic racing machinery to raise funds for the foundation named in honour of his late son.

'Big John' will launch the Classic Team Surtees concept with a parade of classic F1 cars through the streets of the small Kent town of Edenbridge next month (27 May), using the event as the first of several similar initiatives to raise awareness of, and funds for, the Henry Surtees Foundation, which campaigns on behalf of various causes, including assisting those with brain or physical injuries caused by accident. Henry Surtees was killed by a freak accident while racing in F2 at Brands Hatch in 2009.

Surtees' versatility 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.

Surtees himself will drive the three-litre Cosworth-engined Surtees TS7 that he debuted at the 1970 British Grand Prix at Brands Hatch along the route, which covers around two miles and will take the parade through Edenbridge High Street. The event will also 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 and to raise funds for it," Surtees confirmed, "We'll be doing more events like this during the year."