[Video] How Goodwood re-united Sir Stirling Moss, Denis Jenkinson and '722' | GRR
As we come to terms with the death of racing legend Sir Stirling Moss, we look back fondly on his incredible racing success, and the moments that we were lucky to share with him here at Goodwood.
And one such moment that will go down in time immemorial is the reunification of Moss, Denis Jenkinson and their incredible Mille Miglia-winning Mercedes-Benz SLR at the 1995 Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard.
In the 40th anniversary year of their great Mille Miglia feat, the Duke of Richmond brought the British duo and the original car, number 722, back together in a marvellous, and moving, Hillclimb celebration.
Despite nursing a broken leg, Moss’s resilient spirit shone through, and perched atop a cushion, plastered leg rigid on the pedals he drove the car with the same flair that he had all those years ago. While legendary Motor Sport journalist Jenkinson, in a frail state, wasn’t required to resume his navigator role, he did bring along his innovative scroll roadbook, with which he had guided Moss almost 1,000 miles across Italy, from Brescia to Rome and back.
On the weekend of April 30 to May 1, 1955, the pair drove non-stop down through the calf of Italy’s boot, maintaining an average speed of 97.96mph in their 310bhp, 2.9-litre, straight-eight Mercedes. Incredibly, they completed the challenge in 10 hours, 7 minutes and 48 seconds, thirty-two minutes ahead of their teammate, and runner-up, Juan Manuel Fangio.
Watch and reminisce with us, as 722 – which denoted their Mille Miglia start time – makes its way up the Hill, resplendent in the sunshine against the great British backdrop of the Goodwood House.