Motorsport legends pay tribute to Chris Amon
McLaren boss Ron Dennis has led the tributes overnight for Kiwi motorsport legend Chris Amon who has passed away aged 73 following a battle with cancer.
Amon raced in 96 Formula One races in the 1960;s and 70s and secured 11 podium finishes.
Dennis says he was the greatest racing driver never to have won a race at the very highest level.
Ron Dennis says Amon was one of the most likeable men he has met in his long racing career.
The 73 year old has died in Rotorua hospital after an ongoing battle with cancer.
Kiwi formula one driver Howden Ganley raced against Amon and says he was a wonderful person.
Ganley says Amon was the nicest guy you could meet, well-educated with a great sense of humour but very self-effacing at the same time.
Amon won the Le Man 24 Hour race with Bruce McLaren in a Ford GT40, 50 years ago this year. He drove for Ferrari from 1967 until 1969, and later drove for March and Matra, and for BMW in the European Touring Car Championship. He retired from Formula One in 1976.
Inspiration
The highest profile current Kiwi driver says Amon was a true Legend and inspiration to many.
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Indycar driver Scott Dixon says he's saddened to hear of the passing of Chris Amon.
Even after his passing, Amon will leave a long standing legacy in New Zealand Motorsport.
Following his highly successful driving career Amon was an ambassador for Toyota and supported the New Zealand based Toyota Racing Series.
The series has paved the way for current Kiwi talent such as Brendon Hartley, Mitch Evans and Earl Bamber.
The overall winner's trophy is named after Amon and series founder Barrie Thomlinson says Amon will continue to be an inspiration.
Thomlinson says it's Amon's helmet that the trophy is based on and is very iconic and they will certainly cherish presenting the trophy in future years.