Book Read Free

Go Like Hell

Page 30

by A. J. Baime


  12,597,900 ft/lbs: Joseph J. Ihnacik Jr. and Jerome F. Meek, “Mark II GT Sports Car Disc Brake System,” Society of Automotive Engineers paper #670070.

  Indoor Laboratory Le Mans: B.F. Brender, C.J. Canever, I.J. Monti, and J.R. Johnson, “Laboratory Simulation, Mark II—GT Powertrain,” Society of Automotive Engineers paper #670071.

  213 Behave like a human driver: Brender et al., “Laboratory Simulation, Mark II—GT Powertrain.”

  That’s up to you: “Ken Miles: The Victor Belongs to the Spoils,” Los Angeles Times, August 22, 1966.

  214 Miles the Man for Le Mans: “Miles the Man for Le Mans After Win in Daytona 24-Hour Enduro,” Los Angeles Times, February 10,1966.

  Pushed American prestige: “Miles and Ruby Push American Prestige to Top with Victory in Tragedy-Studded Sebring Race,” Hartford Courant, March 28, 1966.

  I am a mechanic: Art Evans, Ken Miles (Redondo Beach, CA: Photo Data Research, 2004), 79.

  I feel our chances: “Miles the Man.”

  215 He had a dream of returning: Mario Andretti, in discussion with the author.

  Please try to remember: Andretti, interview.

  At the moment: Gozzi, Memoirs, 81.

  As well as going: Gozzi, Memoirs, 81.

  216 This is the most stupid: Surtees, interview.

  You go and make: Gozzi, Memoirs, 83.

  217 When you tell me how: Surtees, John Surtees, 186.

  He won: Gozzi, Memoirs, 83.

  21. The Flag Drops

  218 This racetrack is: “Many Top Drivers Afraid of Le Mans—and There are Many Good Reasons,” Detroit News, June 17, 1966.

  I knew I had to: “Foyt Tells How He Escaped Car,” Los Angeles Times, June 6, 1966.

  219 Phil Hill had a falling out: Phil Hill, filmed interview, Carroll Shelby: The Man and His Car (Duke DVD, 2004).

  Money was too good: “Newcomer at Dangerous Le Mans,” New York Times, June 16, 1966.

  220 We have our own medical: “Many Top Drivers.”

  221 The road death: “Road Safety,” London Sunday Telegraph, 1966 (clipping from Ford archives, ACC 1790, box 16).

  Did you hear: “Newcomer at Dangerous Le Mans.”

  We’re all here to make money: “Newcomer at Dangerous Le Mans.”

  222 To do something well: Eoin Young, McLaren Memories (Newbury Park, CA: Haynes Publishing, 2005), 157.

  223 Pussyfooted: Eoin Young, Forza Amon (Newbury Park, CA: Haynes Publishing, 2003), 84.

  We’re not screwing: Young, Forza Amon, 84.

  The only way we’re: John Surtees, in discussion with the author.

  224 Making passes at her: John Surtees, John Surtees: World Champion (Surrey, U.K.: Hazleton Publishing, 1991), 186.

  Why is Scarfiotti’s: Surtees, interview; Franco Gozzi, in discussion with the author. Also: Surtees, John Surtees, 187.

  225 I’m the fastest man: Surtees, interview. Also: Surtees, John Surtees, 187.

  The driver sent a telex: Gozzi, interview.

  If Dragoni has decided: “Surtees Quits Le Mans Race After a Row,” London Daily Express, June 17, 1966.

  226 Dragoni and I have: “Surtees Quits Le Mans Race After a Row"; “Surtees Quits Le Mans in Dispute,” Detroit News, June 17, 1966; ABC Wild World of Sports footage, June 18, 1966; Surtees, interview.

  227 Well, Roy: Roy Lunn, in discussion with the author.

  228 Let’s drop the subject”: “Le Polemiche Si Attenuano Parte la 24 Ore di Le Mans,” Corriere della Sera, June 18, 1966.

  229 Ford’s sixteen drivers reported: Young, McLaren Memories, 205.

  Miles would race: Dave Friedman, Remembering the Shelby Years—1962–1969 (Los Angeles: Carroll Shelby Children’s Foundation, 1998), 240.

  I appreciate that: Young, McLaren Memories, 205.

  He then assigned lap speeds: Shelby American Inc.—Engineering & Development Report, June 21, 1966.

  230 For maximum durability: Shelby American Inc.—Engineering & Development Report, June 21, 1966.

  Buckle their belts: Mario Andretti, in discussion with the author.

  Let’s get it done: Young, McLaren Memories, 205.

  I am Italian!: “The Year of the Ford,” Newsweek, July 4, 1966.

  Ford is an international: “Here to Show the World,” Sports Illustrated, June 27, 1966.

  Staring down at this Italian: ABC Wide World of Sports footage, June 18, 1966.

  You better win: Dave Friedman, Shelby GT40 (St. Paul, MN: Motorbooks, 1995), 112.

  231 It remained there: Dave Friedman, in discussion with the author.

  22. Le Mans—Record Pace

  232 Deuce was right there: Edsel Ford II, in discussion with the author.

  233 The #1 Ford in at 5:26 P.M.: The pit stop facts in this paragraph are all from Shelby American Inc.—Engineering & Development Report, June 21, 1966.

  It’s up to you: Eoin Young, Forza Amon (Newbury Park, CA: Haynes Publishing, 2003), 85.

  We are witnessing: ABC Wide World of Sports footage, June 18, 1966.

  234 At 6:47 P.M.: Shelby American Inc.—Engineering & Development Report, June 21, 1966.

  They were so fast: Eoin Young, McLaren Memories (Newbury Park, CA: Haynes Publishing, 2005), 210.

  Is it okay?: Young, McLaren Memories, 206.

  235 There you can see: ABC Wide World of Sports footage, June 18, 1966.

  236 Like expectant fathers: Brock Yates, “Le Mans 24 Hours,” Car and Driver, September 1966.

  The old man is: Yates, “Le Mans 24 Hours.”

  23. The Most Controversial Finish in Le Mans History

  238 At 4:10 A.M.: Shelby American Inc.—Engineering & Development Report, June 21, 1966.

  There was some talk: Dave Friedman, Shelby GT40 (St. Paul, MN: Motorbooks, 1995), 105.

  239 Ken’s been leading: Friedman, Shelby GT40, 115.

  240 The officials say: Leo Levine, The Dust and the Glory, Volume I (Warrendale, PA: Society of Automotive Engineers, 2000), 557.

  Beebe had a chat: Carroll Shelby, in discussion with the author.

  Why don’t you bring: Eoin Young, McLaren Memories (Newbury Park, CA: Haynes Publishing, 2005), 207.

  Who’s supposed to win?: Friedman, Shelby GT40, 113.

  241 So ends my contribution: Friedman, Shelby GT40, 112.

  I don’t know what: Friedman, Shelby GT40, 112.

  Leo, the officials now: Levine, The Dust and the Glory, 558.

  242 The car was cruising: Brock Yates, “Le Mans 24 Hours,” Car and Driver, September 1966.

  243 I think I’ve been: Friedman, Shelby GT40, 114.

  Let’s face it: Yates, “Le Mans 24 Hours.”

  244 From there on: Young, McLaren Memories, 206.

  He just couldn’t get over it: Albert Bochroch, Americans at Le Mans (Tucson, AZ: Aztex Corp., 1976), 147.

  I considered we had won: “Ken Miles Recounts ‘Defeat/ at Le Mans,” Los Angeles Times, July 3, 1966.

  245 Please be careful how: “Le Mans Race Tribute to Miles,” Los Angeles Times, June 8, 1967.

  We don’t want to buy: “A Le Mans non ha perso la tecnica Ferrari ma la sua ‘dimensione,’” Corriere della Sera, June 21, 1966.

  24. The End of the Road

  246 I felt I ought not: John Surtees, John Surtees: World Champion (Surrey, U.K.: Hazleton Publishing, 1991), 187.

  People rose to their feet: Eoin Young, in discussion with the author.

  247 He made comments that: Surtees, John Surtees, 187.

  A “divorce”: John Surtees, in discussion with the author.

  248 Oh my God: Leo Levine, Ford: The Dust and the Glory, Volume I (Warrendale, PA: Society of Automotive Engineers, 2000), 596.

  I remember seeing the car: Art Evans, Ken Miles (Redondo Beach, CA: Photo Data Research, 2004), 111.

  Where is he?: Evans, Ken Miles, 111.

  249 We don’t have to feel: “Ken Miles: The Victor Belongs to the Spoils,” Los Angeles Times, August 22, 1966.

  We really don’t know: “Ford Will Probe
Death-Car Crash,” Los Angeles Times, August 19, 1966.

  There will never be another: “Le Mans Race Tribute to Miles,” Los Angeles Times, June 8, 1967.

  The evidence is that: “Engineers Probe Causes of Miles’ Fatal Crackup,” Detroit News, August 27, 1966.

  250 We are here today . . . Life brilliant and vital: Evans, Ken Miles, 108–109.

  Epilogue

  251 Dear friends: Official Ferrari 1966 Yearbook.

  252 I drenched Henry Ford: Dan Gurney, in discussion with the author.

  All-American Victory: “Foyt and Gurney Drive Ford Mark IV to Victory in 24 Hours of Le Mans,” New York Times, June 12, 1967.

  253 He enjoyed beautiful: “He Enjoyed Beautiful Women, Strong Drink,” Detroit News, September 30, 1987.

  His insistence on: “Dynastic Heir Who Rescued Ford Firm from Bankruptcy,” Financial Times, September 30, 1987.

  Fans carried me high!: John Surtees, in discussion with the author.

  254 I don’t think Ferrari: Surtees, interview.

  We would not be: ABC’s Wide World of Sports, Sports Highlights of the 1960s (December 27, 1969), in the collection of the Paley Center for Media in New York.

  254 I saw my friends: “Deaths that Drove Stewart to Transform F1 Legend Ranks Safety Reforms as His Greatest Success,” Scotland on Sunday, October 28, 2007.

  255 You wouldn’t believe: Carroll Shelby, in discussion with the author.

  I’ll forever be: Shelby, interview.

  256 It broke my heart: Shelby, interview.

  Index

  A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | R | S | T | U | V | W | Y

  A. C. Cars of England

  chassis for Ford sports car, 35

  Shelby Cobra entry in 1964 Le Mans, 114

  aerodynamics, 55–56, 137, 206

  Aeronutronic, 137, 249

  Agapiou, Charlie, 238–39

  Agnelli, Giovanni (Fiat)

  Ferrari driven by, 78

  negotiations to sell Ferrari to, 195, 197, 225

  at 1966 Le Mans, 224–25

  Agusta, Domenico, 81, 194

  air bags, 200

  Alan Mann Racing team, 188n, 228

  Alfa Romeo

  Ferrari’s employment by, 24

  racing success, 27, 73

  Scuderia Ferrari racing arm, 25

  Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ, 102

  Alfa Romeo P3 monoposto, 19

  Amon, Chris

  on Ford Mk II, 164

  at 1965 Le Mans, 162, 163

  at 1966 Le Mans, 221–22, 227, 234, 243–45

  at 1966 24 Hours of Daytona, 222–23

  Andretti, Aldo, 215

  Andretti, Mario

  background and early racing career, 215

  Formula One World Championship, 254

  gray helmet, 215

  hiring of, by Ford, 219

  hiring of, by North American Racing Team, 175

  international fame, 214

  invitation to drive for Ferrari, 209, 214, 215

  at 1966 Le Mans, 221, 227, 237

  at 1966 24 Hours of Daytona, 192

  Ascari, Alberto, 51, 195–96

  Aston Martin DB2, 64

  Aston Martin DB9, 151

  Aston Martin racing team

  accidents, 51

  Lunn’s employment by, 64

  Shelby’s employment by, 38

  win at 1959 Le Mans, 76, 95

  Wyer’s employment by, 87, 101, 205

  ATS racing company, 93

  Attwood, Richard

  at 1964 Le Mans, 105, 111–12

  at 1966 Le Mans, 228

  Austin, Cristina Vettore. See Ford, Cristina Vettore Austin

  Austin Healey, at 1955 Le Mans, xiv

  Automobile Club de l’Ouest, 73, 94–95

  Automobile Manufacturers Association, 13–16

  Autosport magazine, 156

  Autosprint magazine, 207–8, 216

  Auto Union racing cars, 26

  backstretch

  Le Mans course, 32

  Monza Autodrome, 58

  Riverside Raceway, 248

  Bandini, Lorenzo, 254

  background, 121

  at 1964 Italian Grand Prix, 121–22

  at 1964 Le Mans, 104, 114

  at 1964 Mexican Grand Prix, 126

  at 1966 Le Mans, 228

  at 1966 Monaco Grand Prix, 208

  Baracca, Enrico, 24

  Baracca, Francesco, 24–25

  Barlow, Roger, 50, 105

  Bazzi, Luigi, 20

  “Beat Chevrolet” campaign, 8

  Beebe, Leo

  establishment of Ford medical unit, 220

  establishment of Le Mans Committee, 187

  at 1965 Daytona Continental, 142

  at 1966 Le Mans, 239–42

  preparations for 1966 Le Mans, 229, 230–31

  replacement of Wyer, 124–25

  response to Ford’s racing losses, 119–20, 122–23, 165, 173

  response to Hansgen’s death, 204

  at unveiling of Ford sports cars, 134–35

  Behra, Jean, 47–48, 51

  Belgian Grand Prix, 1966, 216–17

  Bennett, Harry, 7

  Bentley, W. O., 73

  Benz, Karl, 72

  “Beurlys” (Jean Blaton), 228

  Bianchi, Lucien, 227

  Bondurant, Bob

  Moss interview of, 117–18

  at 1964 Le Mans, 114, 116–17

  at 1965 Le Mans, 165

  at 1966 Le Mans, 228

  Bordinat, Eugene, 88

  Borgeson, Griffith, 20–21

  Borrani wheels, 87

  Bradshaw Frame, 88, 222

  brakes

  deceleration requirements, 90, 109, 166–67

  disc, 56, 90

  Ford Mk II, 190, 212, 238

  quick-change system for, 238

  Breedlove, Craig, 132

  Brescia, Italy, Mille Miglia race, 45

  British Grand Prix, 1961, 57

  Broadley, Eric

  departure from Ford, 91

  on Ford Le Mans team, 87

  Lola sport design, 215–16

  Broccoli, Albert, 131

  Brockman, Charlie, 233, 235

  Bucknum, Ronnie, 227

  Bueb, Ivor, xv

  Bugatti, Ettore, 73, 144

  Buir, Brian, 228

  Caan, James, 132

  Cabeza de Vaca y Leighton, Alfonso, 30

  Canadian Grand Prix, 1965, 175

  Canarini, Il (the Canaries), 20

  Car and Driver magazine

  Ferrari 400 Superamerica, 65

  Hill’s television commentary, 172

  and 1965 Le Mans, ix–x

  Surtees’s 1963 win at Sebring, 82

  car racing. See also specific cars, drivers, and races

  American, 32, 171, 252

  dangers of, x, 45, 51, 54, 58, 107, 120, 165, 211, 219, 249

  televising of, 132

  U.S. vs. Europe, 72

  after WWI, 24

  Carrera Panamericana, 1954, 52, 149, 175

  car sales. See also specific cars

  and desire for speed, 131

  impact of races on, x, 12–14, 31–33, 63

  to middle-class customers, 9

  Nader’s safety campaign and, 210

  in 1950s, 5, 40

  Casner, Lloyd “Lucky,” 148

  Castellotti, Eugenio, 30

  Cavallino Inn, Maranello, 127, 144, 247, 252

  Cavallino Rampante (Prancing Horse), 24–25, 27

  Chamberlain, Wilt, 75

  champagne, for race winners

  French Grand Prix, 32

  at Le Mans, 171, 244, 252

  Chaparral, Chaparral racing team

  Chevrolet V-8 engine in, 147

  Hall’s design, 83

  Hill’s signing with, 219

  at 1965 Sebring, 147

  at 1966 Le Mans, 221, 237

  Chapman, Colin, 33
<
br />   Château d’Artigny, 226, 235

  Chenard et Walcker, 73

  Chevrolet

  Bel Air, 9

  competition with Ford, 8–9, 11–12

  Corvair, 11, 200

  Corvette, 9, 35, 39

  dominance in American market, 6–7, 14

  Monza, 11

  private entries in stock car races, 14, 32

  V-8 engine, 147

  Chinetti, Luigi. See also North American Racing Team

  employment by Rolls-Royce, 28

  joke about U.S. racing cars, 104

  New York City Ferrari garage, 28, 29, 51

  at 1965 Le Mans, 168

  relationship with Ferrari, 169

  success on European circuit, 27

  win at 1948 Le Mans, 29

  Chiti, Carlo, 59

  Christian, Linda, 46

  Chrysler Corporation

  “horsepower wars,” 13–14

  Iacocca’s move to, 253

  overseas markets, 41

  Circuit de la Sarthe, Le, 73. See also 24 Hours of Le Mans

  Clark, Jimmy “The Flying Scot,” 34

  death, 254

 

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