Motorsport: Legendary gentleman of the track

Stirling Moss takes the flag and receives the winner's prize after starting from the back of the grid in a wet 1962 New Zealand Grand Prix. Photo / NZ Herald

Stirling Moss was a gentleman on the racetrack. "Stirling always waved when he lapped people," says local motor racing hero Chris Amon. "I think he was waving to say, 'Thank you for getting out of my way'. More times than not, you never even saw him coming."

Moss took the chequered flag at the New Zealand Grand Prix at Ardmore airfield on January 6, 1962, driving a Lotus-Climax. It was the third time the British driver had taken the title.

Amon was racing in his first New Zealand Grand Prix that day, aged just 17.

As a youngster who was new to the sport, Amon says he was "making up the numbers" in the field of 21 cars.

He lined up with some formidable names in Formula One history, including Jack Brabham, John Surtees, Moss and local star Bruce McLaren.

"My most vivid recollection of the race is when the starting flag fell, the heavens opened and it was unbelievable," says Amon.

Coming down the back straight his front wheels lost all traction and started aquaplaning. Cars were spinning off the straight and several crashed out of the race.

"In this day and age they would have at least postponed the race for a while or run it behind a safety car but in those days the show went on," says Amon, who managed to keep his Maserati 250F under control and finish in 11th place.

"The fact I managed to keep on the track for the whole race was an achievement," he adds.

Amon got his big break after being spotted at the Grand Prix. The following season he was invited to Europe to race Formula One.

Although he only managed a quick hello to Moss on race day, Amon later got to know the champion well while driving in Europe.

Moss, now 81, is amazingly fit and mobile and still drives well, says Amon.

The New Zealand Grand Prix is being held at Feilding's Manfeild racetrack this weekend. Amon will be there for the event, which is now part of the Toyota racing series. The cars may be different but the race still provides an opportunity for young drivers to have a crack at the big time.

"It has allowed younger, up-and-coming guys to drive a smaller version of what a Formula One car is like," says Amon.