There was near anarchy when Ken Gregory decided on a Le Mans start because the Americans liked to wear seat belts. However, Stirling stepped forward and insisted that the Le Mans start was the safest way, even though the Americans may lose a few seconds putting on seatbelts before driving off, because safety was paramount.

There were 11 races, but Stirling took part in just two of them – more for the fun of it than as a serious racing driver. The 90 odd drivers were there for a good time and one American publication referred to “some of the fiercest, most violent, dangerous cocktail parties ever to ‘grace’ a sporting weekend”.

Stirling didn’t drink but had a great capacity for orange juice at parties.

At the beginning of December, it was announced that Stirling would be Number One driver for the Italian Maserati team. He felt “he must continue to drive for a foreign firm until the necessary developments are completed on the British designs and an adequate number of cars are built to ensure a full season’s racing”. However, he insisted that he should be free to drive British cars in six of the major sports car events.

1955 had been an amazing year for Stirling. He had started it as a coming man and ended it as team leader at one of the two best Formula One teams for the coming season. He began the year as a well-known racing driver and ended it as a household name.

It was a vintage year for the 26-year-old, but he had another six brilliant seasons ahead of him.