Ken Miles was an English-born American race car driver born in England on November 1, 1918. He moved to the United States in 1952, and quickly rose through the ranks of the racing world. He was a driver for Carroll Shelby’s Cobra team, and even drove in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966. His performance in this race earned him recognition as one of the best drivers of all time.
Unfortunately, Ken Miles did not win the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans race. After leading for most of the race, a photo finish showed that he had been beaten by his teammate Bruce McLaren by just 8 meters (26 feet). This was due to an error made by race officials; they failed to recognize that McLaren and Chris Amon had started further back on the grid than Miles and therefore covered more ground in less time. This is why Ken Miles didn’t win what would have been an incredible achievement – winning at Sebring, Daytona, and Le Mans all in one year.
Despite not winning Le Mans, Ken Miles’ career was not over. In 1958-63 he won 38 out of 44 races he entered while also driving part time for Sunbeam distributor Rootes Motors. His impressive performances caught the attention of Carroll Shelby who picked him up to test and race with his Cobra team. The partnership between these two drivers was immortalized on screen in the 2019 movie Ford vs Ferrari where viewers saw their tenacity firsthand as they raced against each other for glory and honor.
Ken Miles is still remembered today as one of the greatest drivers ever to hit the track despite nver having won at Le Mans. His skill behind the wheel combined with his passion for motorsport will forever be remembered by those who witnessed it first hand or through his many successes on film or television.
Why Ken Miles Did Not Win Le Mans
Ken Miles was tragically denied a victory at the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans race due to a bungled photo finish. He and his co-driver, Denny Hulme, had crossed the finish line in first place, but race officials ruled that Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon had covered a greater distance in the same time due to having started further back on the grid. This meant that Miles was denied the chance of winning Sebring, Daytona, and Le Mans all in the same year – an achievement which remains unmatched to this day.
Ken Miles’ Wins at Le Mans Races
Ken Miles won just one Le Mans race in his career, which took place in 1966. He was part of a two-car team effort for the Ford Motor Company, alongside New Zealander Denny Hulme. The duo drove a Ford GT Mk II to victory, completing 379 laps of the Circuit de la Sarthe and setting an average speed record of 127 mph. It was the first time an American car had won the event since 1931, and it remains one of the most iconic victories in motorsport history.
The Controversy Surrounding Ford’s Decision to Deny Ken Miles a Victory
Ford did not let Ken Miles win because of an administrative oversight. Although Miles was on the verge of winning the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans, Ford executives were unaware that a dead heat would not be allowed, and so they gave the order for Miles to slow down in order to allow Bruce McLaren to pass him and take the win. By the time it was realized that there could only be one winner, it was too late to communicate to Miles that he should speed up again, so McLaren ultimately won the race.
Accuracy of Ford vs Ferrari Movie
Ford vs Ferrari was largely accurate in its portrayal of the epic 1966 race between Ford and Ferrari at LeMans. The movie depicts the rivalry between the two companies and their respective drivers, Ken Miles and Carroll Shelby for Ford, and Enzo Ferrari, Umberto Maglioli, and Lorenzo Bandini for Ferrari.
The film accurately portrays the grueling 24-hour race that took place at LeMans in 1966 and the many challenges faced by both teams. From mechanical failures to driver fatigue, both teams experienced a range of difficulties while trying to win the historic race.
The movie also accurately depicts how Ford was able to beat Ferrari through sheer determination, innovation, hard work, and teamwork. It shows how Carroll Shelby’s knowledge of racing car engineering enabled him to design a winning car and how Ken Miles’ driving skill was essential in bringing home victory for Ford.
The film also accurately portrays how Enzo Ferrari had to face a difficult decision when he chose not to disqualify Ford after they had technically broken a rule during the race. This decision allowed Ford’s first-ever win aainst Ferrari at LeMans to stand despite protests from other teams who felt that it was unfair.
Overall, Ford vs Ferrari was an accurate portrayal of the intense rivalry between two of the greatest racing car companies in history and their battle for speed and glory at LeMans in 1966.
The Impact of Ford’s Win at Le Mans
Yes, Ford Motor Company did indeed win the Le Mans race in 1966. This was a major accomplishment for the company, and it marked the first time an American car manufacturer had ever won this prestigious event. The team, which was comprised of drivers Bruce McLaren, Ken Miles, and Denny Hulme, drove a prototype Ford GT40 to victory. The victory was made possible by a combination of engineering prowess and clever tactics employed by the drivers. The win marked the beginning of a long relationship between Ford and Le Mans that is still going strong today.
Did Ken Miles Win the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans Race?
No, Ken Miles did not win the 1966 Le Mans race. He placed second behind the Ferrari of French drivers, Jean Guichet and Nino Vaccarella. Miles had a remarkable performance in the race, setting a record for the most laps completed and leading for much of it before ultimately finishing second. It was an impressive accomplishment considering he was driving a Ford GT40, which wasn’t as powerful or reliable as the Ferrari he was competing against. His performance in the 1966 Le Mans race would be his last highlight before his death later that year.
Most Successful Drivers at Le Mans
Tom Kristensen is by far the most successful driver at Le Mans with nine victories. The Danish racing driver, who raced for Audi, won six of his nine victories consecutively from 2000 to 2005. This is an unprecedented feat, and no other driver has been able to match it. Jacky Ickx, who held the record prior to Kristensen, is second with six wins. Derek Bell, Frank Biela and Emanuele Pirro are all tied for third place with five wins each.
The Value of Ken Miles’ GT40
The legendary Ford GT40 that Ken Miles drove at 24 Hours of Le Mans has been sold for an astonishing $3.5 million, making it one of the most expensive cars in history. This street-legal version of the iconic race car was built by Ford in 2004 as a limited edition and only one was ever made.
This remarkable piece of automotive history is the last remaining GT40 to be sold to a private buyer, making it incredibly valuable. The car features the same engine and 4.7L V8 as used in Miles’s original 1966 model, along with bespoke bodywork and Michelin Pilot Sport tires. The interior is fitted with carbon fiber seats, anodized aluminum trim, and a wood-rimmed steering wheel reminiscent of the original design.
At auction, this final Ford GT40 became one of the most expensive cars ever sold – far surpassing its expected price tag of arund $2 million. This incredible vehicle is sure to be cherished by its new owner for many years to come, allowing them to experience the all-American power that Ken Miles felt over five decades ago.
The Reasons Behind Ford’s Loss in the Ford vs Ferrari Race
Ford lost in the Ford vs Ferrari race because their communication strategy failed. Ford executives gave Miles the order to slow down, not aware that a dead heat would not be allowed and there could only be one winner. By the time they realized their mistake, it was too late to communicate with Miles and tell him to speed up. This lapse in communication resulted in Ferrari taking the win, leaving Ford just 8 meters short of victory.
The Impact of Shelby on Ford’s Emotions
Yes, in the movie Shelby did make Henry Ford II cry. After locking Beebe in the prototype, Shelby hauls away Henry Ford II in the GT40 to show him what it can do. During their drive, Shelby makes an emotional speech about how he feels about the car and Henry Ford II is moved to tears.
Did Ford’s ‘Cross The Line’ Campaign Go Too Far?
Yes, Ford Motor Company did indeed cross the finish line together at the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans. To create the photo finish, a team of drivers and crew members worked together to ensure that all three MKIIIs were driving at a consistent speed and would cross the line simultaneously. The plan was executed perfectly, resulting in a dramatic image that has become iconic in motorsport history.
Recent Winners of the 24 Hours of Le Mans Race
Toyota Gazoo Racing has won the 24 Hours of Le Mans for a fifth consecutive year. The #8 Toyota GR010-Hybrid was victorious, with the team’s #7 sister car taking second place, securing an impressive one-two victory for the Japanese manufacturer. This marks a remarkable achievement for Toyota who have now won five editions of the prestigious endurance race in succession.
Six-Time Winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans Race
Tom Kristensen holds the record for the most wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans with nine, six of which were consecutive from 2000 to 2005. The Danish former racing driver is known for winning Le Mans six times in a row, an impressive feat that earned him the nickname ‘Mr. Le Mans’. His first victory at Le Mans was in 1997 and he won five more times consecutively between 2000 and 2005, becoming only the second driver to achieve this feat in history. He then went on to win three more times in 2008, 2013 and 2014 before retiring from professional racing in 2015.
Source: esquire.com
Corvette’s Performance at Le Mans
Corvette Racing had high hopes for the 24 Hours of Le Mans, as they were gunning for the final GTE Pro class win. Unfortunately, their dreams were dashed as Alexander Sims was side-swiped by an errant LMP2 car with just over six hours to go. The impact caused significant damage to the car and forced them to retire from the race. Despite this setback, Corvette should be proud of their overall performance at Le Mans, having scored two wins in GTE Pro class since 2016. They are crtainly a force to be reckoned with on the track and their strong presence at Le Mans is a testament to that.
Conclusion
Ken Miles was a legendary race car driver who achieved incredible success in his career, winning 38 out of 44 races he entered between 1958 and 1963. He was part of the Sunbeam distributor Rootes and later joined Carroll Shelby to test and race the Cobra. Despite this impressive record, Ken Miles is best remembered for his heartbreaking loss in the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans race due to a bungled photo finish and a miscommunication from Ford executives. Unfortunately, Miles never received the recognition he deserved for his remarkable talent and sportsmanship, but remains an icon among racing aficionados today.
