In praise of modesty

Sir,

I was very interested to read the letter from Dan Gurney in last month’s Motor Sport. It did not surprise me at all to read the self-effacing manner in which it was written and the way Dan Gurney praised others in his very modest manner.

I count my self very fortunate in having met Dan Gurney on a couple of occasions through my friendship with Cliff Allison, his contemporary, and I just know that the letter he wrote is so typical of this quiet American.

When I was arranging the Lotus 50 Years Celebration in 1998 at the Coys Festival, I invited him to attend our celebration dinner. Unfortunately he was unable to do so, due to racing commitments, but took time to send a hand-written note apologising for being unable to attend. That note reflected on his time with Lotus, Colin Chapman and particularly Jim Clark. This note is now in my copy of the Indianapolis Years and still brings a lump to my throat when read — a real gentleman.

I AM, YOURS, ETC

Malcolm Ricketts, Ayot St Lawrence, Herts