What Did Ford Do to Ken Miles at the 1966 Le Mans Race?

Discover how Ford's controversial decision at the 1966 Le Mans race affected Ken Miles despite his dominant performance and key role in the GT40 development.

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In the context of their partnership in the 1960s, Ford made a controversial decision regarding Ken Miles at the 1966 Le Mans race. Despite Miles' significant contribution to developing the Ford GT40 and leading most of the race, Ford's management decided on a photo finish that resulted in Miles being placed second, denying him the outright win he was poised to achieve. This decision was based on the desire to publicize a tie among Ford cars, which overshadowed Miles' personal achievement and contribution.

FAQs & Answers

  1. Why did Ford decide on a photo finish at the 1966 Le Mans race? Ford management orchestrated a photo finish to showcase a tie between their cars for publicity, which ultimately cost Ken Miles an outright win despite his leading performance.
  2. What role did Ken Miles play in developing the Ford GT40? Ken Miles was instrumental in developing and testing the Ford GT40, contributing significantly to its performance and success in endurance racing.
  3. Did Ken Miles officially win the 1966 Le Mans race? No, Ken Miles was placed second due to Ford's staged photo finish, denying him the official outright victory despite leading most of the race.

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For more insights into the history of automotive racing and iconic figures like Ken Miles, explore our detailed videos on the Ford GT40 legacy, the 1966 Le Mans race strategy, and the evolution of endurance racing.

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