Phil Hill Died Friday, August 29
08-31-2008, 09:55 AM
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Phil Hill Died Friday, August 29
RIP...
In 1961, Phil Hill became the first American to win the Formula One World Drivers Championship, the ultimate competition in all of motorsports. For 17 years his record was unchallenged and today is shared with only one other American, Mario Andretti. Hill remains the only American born Formula One champion.
Hill won countless other races over a period spanning two decades. Other highlights in his illustrious career include winning the grueling 24 Hours of Le Mans three times (before the Mulsanne chicane and with only two drivers sharing the car, not the three of today), the 12 hours of Sebring three times, the Argentine 1000 Km three times, the Grand Prix of Italy twice and the Belgian Grand Prix. He has the distinction of having won the first and last races of his driving career, the final victory being the BOAC 500 at Brands Hatch in England in 1967. In a time of little or no safety equipment and when driver deaths in competition where commonplace, Hill remarkably was never seriously injured in a racing car.
In 1961, Phil Hill became the first American to win the Formula One World Drivers Championship, the ultimate competition in all of motorsports. For 17 years his record was unchallenged and today is shared with only one other American, Mario Andretti. Hill remains the only American born Formula One champion.
Hill won countless other races over a period spanning two decades. Other highlights in his illustrious career include winning the grueling 24 Hours of Le Mans three times (before the Mulsanne chicane and with only two drivers sharing the car, not the three of today), the 12 hours of Sebring three times, the Argentine 1000 Km three times, the Grand Prix of Italy twice and the Belgian Grand Prix. He has the distinction of having won the first and last races of his driving career, the final victory being the BOAC 500 at Brands Hatch in England in 1967. In a time of little or no safety equipment and when driver deaths in competition where commonplace, Hill remarkably was never seriously injured in a racing car.
09-01-2008, 10:25 PM
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Sad day. Some of the first car-mag articles I read were penned by Mr. Hill (Aug 84 R&T, Ferrari GTO) and learning of his accomplishments was part of what got me "into" racing. RIP.
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09-10-2008, 09:23 AM
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I have just learned that the funeral for Phil Hill is today, Sept. 10th at 10:30 a.m. at St. Monica Church, 725 California Avenue in Santa Monica.
Skip Carter was kind enough to share these photos from the Gurney's -- and I thought you may want to see them.
1961 Grand Prix World Champion
PHIL HILL
passed away August 28th from complications of Parkinson's disease.
For 5 decades we have traveled many happy miles together.
With great sadness we extend our heartfelt condolences to
his wife Alma and his family.
Dan and Evi Gurney,
the Gurney family and AAR staff
CIAO PHILIPPO!
Thanks for the memories
Black & White photo: 1959 Ferrari Formula 1 Grand Prix Team Phil Hill with
team mates Tony Brooks and Dan Gurney.
Color photo: Last photo of Phil and Dan together at the Quail Concours / Monterey Historics Aug 15, 2008
a few hours before Phil was taken to the hospital.
Skip Carter was kind enough to share these photos from the Gurney's -- and I thought you may want to see them.
1961 Grand Prix World Champion
PHIL HILL
passed away August 28th from complications of Parkinson's disease.
For 5 decades we have traveled many happy miles together.
With great sadness we extend our heartfelt condolences to
his wife Alma and his family.
Dan and Evi Gurney,
the Gurney family and AAR staff
CIAO PHILIPPO!
Thanks for the memories
Black & White photo: 1959 Ferrari Formula 1 Grand Prix Team Phil Hill with
team mates Tony Brooks and Dan Gurney.
Color photo: Last photo of Phil and Dan together at the Quail Concours / Monterey Historics Aug 15, 2008
a few hours before Phil was taken to the hospital.