BA - The Club - Five unlikely epic drives

Dundrod Circuit, Northern Ireland, 1950

The race was a seven-mile circuit around a gloomy track in Country Antrim. It was raining heavily, but I led from start to finish and won the race outright. This was the day before my 21st birthday and it was an important race for me. It really helped with my early career.

Car of choice: Jaguar XK120

Photo: Getty Images

Alpine Rally, Switzerland, 1952, 1953, 1954

This was a five-day rally in the Swiss mountains and you would lose points for being late into each checkpoint. The mountain passes were tricky, and the roads were open in those days so we’d pass traffic in the middle of the race. Despite that, I won it in three consecutive years – one of only three drivers to have done so.

Car of choice: Sunbeam Talbot Alpine

Photo: Alamy

Mille Miglia, Italy, 1955

This was a 1,000-mile race around Italy that I won in 1955, completing it in 10 hours and seven minutes. There were 700 other cars in the race, leaving at one-minute intervals. I started fast straight down the Adriatic, then we headed over some tricky mountain passes. The return run into Brescia was particularly dramatic when I passed two twin-engine aircrafts that couldn’t keep up with me.

Car of choice: Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR

Photo: Getty Images

Targa Florio, Sicily, 1955

Whenever I had time I would practise the circuit in preparation for this race. The Mafia used to be a real problem in Sicily in those days, but they were all keen on the event so there was no trouble. Everyone was really enthusiastic, and the whole route was lined with spectators.

Car of choice: Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR

Photo: Getty Images

Ennstal-Classic rally, Austria

My wife and I do this scenic rally around Austria together every year and it’s a lot of fun. It is a competitive event, but we’re more interested in seeing the mountains and the beautiful countryside. It’s nice not to take it too seriously.

Car of choice: Jaguar C-Type

Photo: Getty Images

Stirling Moss

Five unlikely epic drives

Dundrod Circuit, Northern Ireland, 1950

Alpine Rally, Switzerland, 1952, 1953, 1954

Mille Miglia, Italy, 1955

Targa Florio, Sicily, 1955

Ennstal-Classic rally, Austria

Dundrod Circuit, Northern Ireland, 1950

Alpine Rally, Switzerland, 1952, 1953, 1954

Mille Miglia, Italy, 1955

Targa Florio, Sicily, 1955

Ennstal-Classic rally, Austria

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