Queen Elizabeth finally gives Ron Ayers a "Royal Nod"

[velocity]

I am delighted to let you know that Ron Ayers of ThrustSSC, Dieselmax and Bloodhound SSC has been appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), for services to engineering. The recipients of this award, announced in the Queen’s Birthday Honors, are chosen by the Prime Minister’s Cabinet Office on the advice of the Head of the Civil Service and the Main Honors Committee. The honor coincides with the 60th anniversary of the Queen’s coronation.

The MBE is the humblest of the honors and it is odd that Richard Noble and Andy Green were previously named OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) when most involved in motorsports would clearly recognize the engineering to be AT LEAST on the same degree of importance as driver and team owner.  

The highest honor is KBE (Knight) for men or DBE (Dame) for women. That's why Stirling Moss is now "Sir Stirling."

The Beatles received their MBEs in 1965

Sometime in the next 7 months Ron will be invited to an investiture at Buckingham Palace. The medals are presented by the Queen, Prince Charles, or the Princess Royal.

A nice nod to a guy who will cheerfully help any racer who asks for help. I am so very, very happy for him, but think Lizzie ought to jump him up to OBE.

-- LandSpeed Louise

[Seldom Seen Slim]

I made her into a queen - from a typo-ed quenn.

But speaking of Queen Elizabeth - I wonder if, at her age, she's interested in jumping anybody but her husband.  (Just kidding, Brits -- no offense meant).

[TrickyDicky]

...

The MBE is the humblest of the honors and it is odd that Richard Noble and Andy Green were previously named OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) when most involved in motorsports would clearly recognize the engineering to be AT LEAST on the same degree of importance as driver and team owner.  

...

'Twas ever thus.

For example, in the past we have had:
          Sir Henry Segrave
          Sir Malcolm Campbell

But not:
         Sir Reid Railton

[velocity]

Well said, and my point precisely!

LSL

[Dean Los Angeles]

My family crossed the pond from England in 1690. Still some British, mostly Heinz 57. 

Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE)
The award has existed since 1917
1,464 Members may be appointed per year. (That's an oddly interesting number.)
There are more than 100,000 living members of the Order throughout the world.
Wikipedia has 1,862 pages of members. Ron Ayers is listed.

Hmm . . . Do you pin the medal on the outside of your drivers suit?

[Nortonist 592]

Hmm . . . Do you pin the medal on the outside of your drivers suit?

You are allowed provided the ribbon and attaching pin meet SFI standards.