Sempre Mar-Apr 05b.qxd - Ferrari Club of America - Southwest Region

14TRIBUTE TO PHIL HILLAND THE24 HOURS OF LE MANSLast November the Checkered Flag 200 and the Petersen Automotive Museumhosted the Tribute to Phil Hill and the 24 hours of Le Mans. This was another productionspearheaded by Tom McIntyre who seems to excel in each subsequent event. Therewas a book-signing by Phil of his new book A Champion’s View featuring John Lamm’sphotography. Displayed in the Gallery were significant examples of Le Mans racecars:Peter Mullin’s 1930 Talbot T-26C, Steve Earle’s 1953 Jaguar C-Type, Rusty West’s 1954Porsche, Skip Cook’s 1959 Deutsche-Bonnet HBR5, Bruce Meyer’s 1960 CunninghamCorvette and Ferrari 250GT SWB SEFAC, Darrell Mountjoy’s 1964 Sunbeam Tiger LM,Gary Schroeder’s 1966 Ford GT40, Tom Malloy’s 1967 Ford GT Mark IV, Tom McIntyre’s1976 Porsche 934, Jim Busby’s 1983 Lola-T616, Rick Knoop’s 1983 Lola-T616 and FordMotor Company’s new 2005 Ford GT among others.After cocktails and socializing a superb buffet dinner was served. Although the lineswere long the process went fast considering the huge audience participation. In factmore than 600 attended and there was a waiting list for those who weren’t quick in registering.First after the introduction by Tom McIntyre and Dick Messer, there was a liveauction featuring racing memorabilia such as posters and special paintings by GeorgeBartell depicting Phil’s Le Mans win in ’58, ’61 and ‘62 in a Ferrari commissioned just forthis occasion. MC Dave McClelland and Bruce Meyer were the auctioneers. Proceedsbenefited the Petersen Automotive Museum. Then we got to see film clips about LeMans in the ‘50s and ‘60s, much footage featuring Phil Hill. Phil was born in SantaMonica and raced his aunt’s 1918 Packard at 19 years of age and went on to hillclimbs,road races, endurance races including Torrey Pines, Pebble Beach, Sebring, Daytona,Riverside as well as Le Mans. He was a Ferrari factory team driver and raced with OlivierGendebien. He raced Cobras and Ford GT40s for Carroll Shelby and his last professionalrace win was for Jim Hall in a Chaparral. In 1961 he was crowned Campione del Mondoand became the only American to date to be World Champion driving for Ferrari in a Dino 156.Article byShin TakeiEvent Photos byGeorge CarrollP I C T U R E DFrom top left:Master of Ceremonies Dave McClelland withPhil Hill. 1956 Ferrari Testa Rossa. Jim Hall tellsof Phil racing the Chaparrals.Below:Event program cover with image of Phil Hillawaiting the start of the 1962 Le Mans whichhe won with co-driver Olivier Gendebien in thisFerrari 330LM.Image courtesy: Phil Hill Photographic CollectionEvent Program design: Tex K. Otto