Carroll Shelby and Ken Miles are two of the most influential figures in the world of racing. From Leesburg to Le Mans, ther impact on the sport has been undeniable. Carroll Shelby began his career at the tender age of 15 with a Ford his father had given him, and he was immediately hooked. He quickly rose to become one of the most successful racers of his day, winning numerous competitions. Ken Miles was equally as talented, but it was their combined efforts that truly revolutionized racing and beyond.
The pair first met when they both competed in the 1956 24 Hours of Le Mans race. While they didn’t win that year, they were determined to improve their car’s performance and eventually came up with revolutionary ideas that revolutionized car design and engineering. Shelby’s revolutionary designs were later adopted by Ford for their GT40 Mk II race car which won them four consecutive victories at Le Mans between 1966 and 1969.
Ken Miles was an integral part in testing this revolutionary car and its successor, the Ford J-car. Miles drove with skill, speed and courage during testing sessions; qualities which earned him respect from Carroll Shelby and other drivers alike. Sadly, Miles died tragically in August 1966 when he crashed while test-driving the J-car; a loss which devastated not only Carroll Shelby but also the entire racing world.
Carroll Shelby is still remembered for his role in revolutionizing racing through innovative design and engineering techniques; techniques which inspired generations of racers to come after him. Ken Miles is equally remembered for his courageous driving skills which helped make these innovations possible. Together, these two men left an indelible mark on the sport that will never be forgotten, forever cementing their place in racing history books across all ages.
The Friendship Between Carroll Shelby and Ken Miles
Yes, Carroll Shelby and Ken Miles were close friends and worked together throughout their racing careers. They first met in the early 1950s while they were competing in the same race series. Over the years, they developed a strong bond, both on and off the track. They shared a mutual respect for each other’s racing skills, as well as a common goal of pushing the boundaries of performance. Together, they revolutionized the sport of racing with their innovative ideas and advanced technology. They are remembered today for their accomplishments as two of the most influential figures in motorsport history.
Is the Story of Ken Miles True?
Yes, the story of Ken Miles is true. Ken Miles was a professional race car driver who entered the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans with the Ford GT40 Mk II. He and his co-driver, Denny Hulme, managed to hold onto first place for much of the race and were in line to win when they were forced to slow down aftr a technical issue in the last hour. This allowed another team to overtake them and take first place. After this disappointment, Miles continued racing and went on to win the 12 Hours of Sebring and other prestigious events. Unfortunately, he was killed two months later in a freak accident while testing a new Ford J-car. His legacy still lives on today as one of the greatest drivers of all time.
Shelby’s Opinion of Ken Miles
Carroll Shelby praised Ken Miles’ contributions to the testing program, noting that Miles was the “heart and soul” of the program. He credited Miles with making the Daytona Coupe work, calling him a “world-class driver” and noting how helpful he was to other drivers on the team. Shelby’s admiration for Miles was clear in his statement, highlighting his importance to the project and respect for his skill as a driver.
Accuracy of Ford v Ferrari Movie
Ford v Ferrari is a highly accurate movie based on a true story. The film follows the events leading up to the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans race, during which Carroll Shelby and Ken Miles attempt to build a car for Ford Motor Company that will beat out Ferrari’s winning streak. While some details have been changed for the sake of cinematic storytelling, the core of the film is historically accurate. Matt Damon’s portrayal of Carroll Shelby captures his charming personality and Christian Bale’s Ken Miles portrays the character’s unwillingness to give up in the face of adversity. The film also accurately portrays Ford’s rivalry with Ferrari, as well as their attempts to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans race. As a final note, Christian Bale’s Ken Miles realy did die in a crash only two months after the 1966 race, making this an especially tragic story.
Conflict Between Shelby and Ken
No, Shelby and Ken Miles did not fight. Despite the physical altercations depicted in the movie, members of the Ford GT40 team have no recollection of any fights between the two. In fact, they recall Miles and Shelby as having a mutual respect for each other, with Miles often deferring to Shelby’s experience in racing. The two were known to disagree on strategies but would always discuss it without resorting to violence.
Source: shelby.com
Did Ken Miles Win a Race?
Yes, Ken Miles did win. In 1966, he won both the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring endurance races. He also placed second in the 24 Hours of Le Mans that year. Miles was widely regarded as one of the most talented and successful drivers in the history of motorsport, with an impressive record of championship wins across multiple racing series. Unfortunately, his life was cut short when he died while testing Ford’s J-Car later that same year.
Shelby’s Decision to Stop Racing
Carroll Shelby was forced to retire from racing in 1960 due to a heart condition. He had been suffering from angina for some time, but it came to a head after the 1959 24 Hours of Le Mans race when he was diagnosed with a severe form of the disease. This required him to take medication that would prevent him from competing at the highest levels of motorsport. The risk of further complications was too great for him to continue racing, so he decided that it was best for his health and safety to retire from the sport.
Ken Miles’ Net Worth at Death
At the time of his death in 1966, Ken Miles had an estimated net worth of $100 thousand (adjusted for inflation). As a sports car racing engineer and driver, Miles was involved in a number of high-profile races throughout his career, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1964 and 1965. He also took part in the 1966 24 Hours of Daytona race and was a test driver for Carroll Shelby’s Ford GT40 Mark II program. His success on the track helped to increase his wealth, and he continued to be involved with motorsports until his death at the age of 45.
Instructions Given to Ken Miles to Slow Down
In the film, it is Henry Ford II, the grandson of Henry Ford and the president of Ford Motor Company at the time, who instructs Ken Miles (Bale) to slow down in order to allow the other two Ford cars to catch up and finish the race simultaneously. This PR stunt was suggested by Henry Ford II as an excellent way to celebrate their victory in the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans race.
Conclusion
Carroll Shelby and Ken Miles were two of the most influential figures in the history of auto racing. From Leesburg to Le Mans, their combined genius revolutionized car design, racing, and beyond. Their partnership was tragically cut short when Ken Miles died during a test drive for Ford’s J-car in 1966, but his legacy lives on throuh Carroll Shelby’s continued success and influence on the world of auto racing. Carroll Shelby once said that “Ken was unique…he was the heart and soul of our testing program.” They both played an invaluable role in reshaping the face of auto racing with their skill, courage, and dedication. With their remarkable achievements still remembered by generations of racers and fans alike, Carroll Shelby and Ken Miles will forever be cherished as two legendary figures who helped shape the modern automotive world.
