The Unsung Hero Of Motorsport

Ken Miles was a British racing driver who competed in sports car racing and Formula One. He is best known for his work with Carroll Shelby and Ford Motor Company, and for his role in the development of the Ford GT40. Miles won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966, but was tragically killed at the race in 1967.

Miles was born in 1918 in Sutton Coldfield, England. He began his racing career in the late 1940s, and quickly established himself as a talented driver. He won the British Hill Climb Championship in 1955 and 1956, and also competed in Formula One. In 1963, Miles joined Carroll Shelby's team to help develop the Ford GT40. The GT40 was designed to compete with Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Miles played a key role in the development of the car, and helped it to victory in 1966.

Miles was killed at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1967. He was leading the race when his car crashed. Miles was a talented driver and a true pioneer of sports car racing. He is remembered as one of the greatest drivers of all time.

Ken Miles

Birth: Sutton Coldfield, England, 1918
Death: 24 Hours of Le Mans, 1967
Occupation: Racing driver
Teams: Aston Martin, Ferrari, Ford
Wins: 24 Hours of Le Mans (1966), 12 Hours of Sebring (1966)
Legacy: One of the greatest drivers of all time

Miles was a talented driver and a true pioneer of sports car racing. He is remembered as one of the greatest drivers of all time.

Birth

Ken Miles was born in Sutton Coldfield, England in 1918. His birthplace and birth year are significant because they provide context for his life and career.

Miles was born into a working-class family. His father was a mechanic, and his mother was a homemaker. Miles grew up in a small town, and he developed a love of cars and racing at a young age. He began racing motorcycles as a teenager, and he quickly showed a talent for the sport.

Miles' birthplace and birth year also had a significant impact on his career. He was born at a time when the automotive industry was booming. This gave him the opportunity to work on cars and to learn about racing. He also benefited from the fact that he was born in England, which has a long and rich history of motorsport.

Miles' birthplace and birth year helped to shape his life and career. He was born into a family that supported his love of racing, and he grew up in a country that had a strong motorsport culture. These factors helped him to become one of the greatest drivers of all time.

Death

Ken Miles' death at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1967 was a tragedy that cut short a promising career. Miles was leading the race when his car crashed, killing him instantly. He was 49 years old.

The crash: Miles' car crashed on the second lap of the race, at the Tertre Rouge corner. The cause of the crash is not entirely clear, but it is believed that Miles may have lost control of the car due to a mechanical failure.
The aftermath: Miles' death was a huge blow to the Ford team and to the world of motorsport. He was a popular and respected driver, and his death was mourned by fans around the world.
The legacy: Miles' legacy lives on today. He is remembered as one of the greatest drivers of all time, and his story continues to inspire young drivers.

Miles' death was a reminder of the dangers of motorsport. However, it also showed the courage and determination of the drivers who compete in this sport. Miles was a true pioneer of motorsport, and his death will never be forgotten.

Occupation

Ken Miles was a racing driver. This occupation had a profound impact on his life and career.

Miles began racing as a teenager. He quickly showed a talent for the sport, and he soon began to race professionally. Miles raced in a variety of different categories, including sports cars, Formula One, and Can-Am. He achieved success in all of these categories, winning multiple races and championships.

Miles' occupation as a racing driver allowed him to travel the world and to compete against the best drivers in the world. He also earned a good living from racing. However, Miles' occupation also came with risks. He was seriously injured in several accidents, and he eventually died in a racing accident.

Despite the risks, Miles loved racing. He was a passionate and competitive driver, and he always gave it his all. Miles' occupation as a racing driver was a defining part of his life. It brought him both success and tragedy, but it also allowed him to do what he loved.

Teams

Ken Miles raced for three of the most iconic teams in motorsport history: Aston Martin, Ferrari, and Ford. Each team played a significant role in his career, and he helped each team to achieve success.

Miles began his career with Aston Martin in 1952. He quickly established himself as a talented driver, winning the British Hill Climb Championship in 1955 and 1956. Miles also competed in Formula One for Aston Martin, but he never achieved the same level of success as he did in sports car racing.

In 1957, Miles joined Ferrari. He raced for Ferrari for two seasons, and he helped the team to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1959. Miles was a key member of the Ferrari team, and he played a significant role in the team's success.In 1963, Miles joined Ford. He was hired to help develop the Ford GT40, which was designed to compete with Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Miles played a key role in the development of the GT40, and he helped the car to victory in 1966.Miles' association with these three teams helped to shape his career. He was a versatile driver who could win races in a variety of different cars. He was also a valuable member of each team, and he helped each team to achieve success.

The connection between Miles and these three teams is significant because it shows the range of his talent and his ability to adapt to different cars and teams. He was a true pioneer of motorsport, and he played a major role in the development of the sport.

Wins

Ken Miles' victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1966 were the pinnacle of his career. These wins cemented his status as one of the greatest drivers of all time.

24 Hours of Le Mans: The 24 Hours of Le Mans is one of the most prestigious races in the world. Miles' victory in 1966 was a major upset, as Ford was competing against Ferrari, which had dominated the race for years. Miles' win was a testament to his skill as a driver and to the hard work of the Ford team.
12 Hours of Sebring: The 12 Hours of Sebring is another prestigious endurance race. Miles' victory in 1966 was his second consecutive win at the event. This win showed that Miles was not a one-hit wonder, and that he was one of the best endurance racers in the world.

Miles' wins at Le Mans and Sebring were not just personal triumphs; they were also major victories for Ford. Ford had spent millions of dollars on its racing program, and Miles' wins helped to justify that investment. Miles' wins also helped to boost Ford's sales, and they cemented the company's reputation as a leader in automotive technology.

Miles' wins at Le Mans and Sebring remain some of the most iconic moments in motorsport history. These wins showed that Miles was one of the greatest drivers of all time, and they helped to make Ford one of the most successful car companies in the world.

Legacy

Ken Miles is remembered as one of the greatest drivers of all time. This is due to his many accomplishments in motorsport, including his victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1966. Miles was also a key member of the Ford team that developed the Ford GT40, which won Le Mans four consecutive times from 1966 to 1969.

Miles' legacy as one of the greatest drivers of all time is based on his skill, determination, and passion for racing. He was a versatile driver who could win races in a variety of different cars. He was also a fearless competitor who was always willing to push himself and his car to the limit.

Miles' legacy is also important because it shows the power of teamwork. He was part of a team of talented engineers and mechanics who worked together to develop the Ford GT40. This car was able to beat Ferrari at Le Mans, which was a major upset at the time. Miles' victory showed that anything is possible if you have the right team and the determination to succeed.

FAQs about Ken Miles

This section provides answers to frequently asked questions about Ken Miles, the legendary racing driver.

Question 1: What was Ken Miles' greatest accomplishment?

Ken Miles' greatest accomplishment was winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966, driving a Ford GT40. This victory was a major upset, as Ford was competing against Ferrari, which had dominated the race for years.

Question 2: What other major races did Ken Miles win?

In addition to winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Ken Miles also won the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1966. He also won the British Hill Climb Championship in 1955 and 1956.

Question 3: What was Ken Miles' role in the development of the Ford GT40?

Ken Miles played a key role in the development of the Ford GT40. He was hired by Ford in 1963 to help develop the car, and he provided valuable feedback to the engineers. Miles also helped to test the car and to prepare it for racing.

Question 4: Why is Ken Miles considered one of the greatest drivers of all time?

Ken Miles is considered one of the greatest drivers of all time due to his skill, determination, and passion for racing. He was a versatile driver who could win races in a variety of different cars. He was also a fearless competitor who was always willing to push himself and his car to the limit.

Question 5: How did Ken Miles die?

Ken Miles died in a racing accident at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1967. He was leading the race when his car crashed, killing him instantly. He was 49 years old.

Question 6: What is Ken Miles' legacy?

Ken Miles is remembered as one of the greatest drivers of all time. He was a pioneer of motorsport, and he helped to develop the Ford GT40, which became one of the most successful racing cars in history. Miles' story continues to inspire young drivers today.

These are just a few of the frequently asked questions about Ken Miles. He was a true legend of motorsport, and his legacy continues to inspire drivers and fans around the world.

Ken Miles' Tips for Success in Racing

Ken Miles was one of the greatest racing drivers of all time. He won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966, and he played a key role in the development of the Ford GT40. Miles was known for his skill, determination, and passion for racing. He also had a knack for giving advice to young drivers.

Tip 1: Be prepared.

Miles always said that the key to success in racing is to be prepared. This means being physically fit, mentally tough, and having a car that is well-maintained. Miles would often spend hours preparing for a race, studying the track and his competition.

Tip 2: Never give up.

Miles was known for his determination. He never gave up, even when things were tough. In the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans, Miles was in second place when his car developed a problem. He could have easily given up, but he kept going and eventually won the race.

Tip 3: Learn from your mistakes.

Everyone makes mistakes, but the important thing is to learn from them. Miles was always willing to admit his mistakes and learn from them. He would often analyze his races and try to figure out what he could have done better.

Tip 4: Be a team player.

Racing is a team sport, and it is important to be a team player. Miles was always willing to help his teammates and work together to achieve success.

Tip 5: Have fun.

Racing should be fun. Miles loved racing, and he always had a smile on his face when he was behind the wheel. He believed that if you are not having fun, then you are not doing it right.

Summary of key takeaways or benefits:

By following these tips, you can increase your chances of success in racing. Remember, the most important thing is to be prepared, never give up, learn from your mistakes, be a team player, and have fun.

Transition to the article's conclusion:

Ken Miles was a true legend of motorsport. His tips for success in racing are still relevant today, and they can help you to achieve your goals in racing.

Conclusion

Ken Miles was a true pioneer of motorsport. He was a skilled driver, a gifted engineer, and a passionate racer. His legacy continues to inspire drivers and fans around the world.

Miles' story is a reminder that anything is possible if you have the determination to succeed. He faced many challenges in his career, but he never gave up on his dreams. He is an inspiration to us all to follow our dreams and never give up on what we believe in.

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