Did Ford Ask Ken Miles to Slow Down at the 1966 Le Mans Race?

Learn why Ford asked Ken Miles to slow down at the 1966 Le Mans race, impacting his chance to win and creating a staged finish.

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Yes, Ford did ask Miles to slow down in the 1966 Le Mans race. This request was made in order to stage a more photogenic finish, aiming for a three-car tie. However, this decision impacted Ken Miles, who had been leading the race, preventing him from achieving a potential outright win.

FAQs & Answers

  1. Why did Ford ask Ken Miles to slow down during the 1966 Le Mans race? Ford requested Ken Miles to slow down to create a staged photo finish between three Ford cars, aiming for greater publicity rather than focusing solely on outright victory.
  2. Did Ken Miles win the 1966 Le Mans race? Although Ken Miles was leading the 1966 Le Mans race, the staged slowing down prevented him from achieving the outright win; officially, the victory was given to another Ford driver.
  3. What was the controversy surrounding the 1966 Le Mans finish? The controversy arose because Ford orchestrated a staged finish that prioritized a photo opportunity over individual race results, which impacted Ken Miles' chance at victory.
  4. How did the 1966 Le Mans race affect Ford's reputation in motorsports? The 1966 Le Mans race solidified Ford’s dominance over Ferrari in endurance racing, though the controversy around the finish sparked debates about sportsmanship and team tactics.

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