Who started Ford Racing?
Henry Ford II initiated Ford's modern factory racing program in the early 1960s by ordering a Le Mans effort to outpace Ferrari, establishing Ford Racing as a formal, high-profile motorsport operation.
Origins of Ford's Racing Effort
Ford’s entry into endurance racing was driven by a strategic push to restore competitive prestige and public confidence in the brand. The decision culminated in a dedicated GT40 program designed to challenge Ferrari on the world stage, particularly at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Key milestones that shaped the origin of Ford Racing are summarized below.
- Henry Ford II authorizes the Le Mans project in 1963 to beat Ferrari and restore Ford’s racing prestige.
- Ford Advanced Vehicles (FAV) in the United Kingdom begins GT40 development under chief engineer Roy Lunn, producing the initial prototypes and testing the concept in 1964.
- Carroll Shelby joins Ford to spearhead the US racing effort and helps shape the GT40 Mk II program (mid-1960s).
- Ford GT40 Mk II wins the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans, delivering Ford’s first overall victory and cementing the marque’s racing legacy.
These milestones collectively established Ford Racing as a serious factory engagement and set the stage for decades of competition and performance development.
Key Figures Behind Ford Racing
The following individuals played decisive roles in launching and shaping the early Ford racing program.
- Henry Ford II — chairman/president who authorized the Le Mans project and directed Ford’s entry into endurance racing.
- Roy Lunn — chief engineer for the GT40 program at Ford Advanced Vehicles, leading the engineering effort in the U.S. and U.K. setups.
- Carroll Shelby — American racer and designer who helped develop and run the GT40 Mk II program with Ford and Shelby American.
- Bruce McLaren — driver who piloted Ford GT40s to top results, including the 1966 Le Mans victory (with Chris Amon).
- Chris Amon — driver who partnered with Bruce McLaren on the 1966 Le Mans winning car.
These figures illustrate how leadership, engineering, and driver talent combined to establish Ford Racing as a premier force in endurance motorsport.
Legacy and Impact
Ford’s early racing program shaped the company’s engineering culture and product development for years to come. The GT40 era demonstrated how motorsport could drive technology transfer to road cars, influencing performance variants, aerodynamics, and powertrain development. The effort also laid the groundwork for Ford Performance and the company’s ongoing commitment to global motorsport involvement, including modern GT, rally, and touring car programs.
Summary
Henry Ford II started Ford Racing by ordering a Le Mans campaign in the early 1960s. With Roy Lunn’s engineering leadership and Carroll Shelby’s strategic collaboration, Ford built the GT40 program, culminating in Le Mans wins in 1966. The initiative created a lasting legacy that continues to influence Ford’s performance and racing efforts today.
Who made the first Ford race car?
1902 Ford "999" Race Car, Built by Henry Ford
Henry Ford hired a fearless bicycle racer named Barney Oldfield to drive "999." Although he had never driven a car, Oldfield learned quickly and won his first competition.
Who is the CEO of Ford Racing?
Jim Farley is the CEO of Ford and also has a significant role in its racing efforts, as he is a passionate racer himself and has championed the company's motorsports strategy. He serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Ford and has a deep personal passion for racing, which informs his strategic decisions for Ford Performance.
- CEO of Ford: James D. Farley, Jr. is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Ford.
- Motorsports passion: Farley is an avid and active participant in motorsports, competing in events like the Mustang Challenge.
- Strategic leadership: He views racing as integral to the brand's identity and has been instrumental in developing Ford's global motorsport strategy, including major programs like the Le Mans hypercar class and the Mustang Challenge series.
- Personal racing: He competes with his own vintage cars, including a Ford GT40, and uses his racing experience to inform his business decisions.
What was Ken Miles
Ken Miles died on August 17, 1966, when the Ford J-car he was testing at over 200 mph at Riverside Raceway suddenly flipped, crashed, and caught fire. His death was the result of a single-vehicle accident while driving at a high speed during a testing session in California.
- Accident details: Miles was testing a Ford J-car at Riverside Raceway. As he approached the end of the track's back straight at high speed, the car flipped, crashed, and burst into flames.
- Date: The crash occurred on August 17, 1966.
- Result: The accident resulted in the death of Ken Miles and was a major setback for the Ford racing program at the time.
Did Ken Miles actually win Le Mans?
No, Ken Miles did not win Le Mans in 1966; he finished in second place due to a controversial team order to ensure a tied photo finish with another Ford GT40. Race officials, however, declared the other car the winner because it had a slightly greater distance covered in the 24 hours. Miles's second-place finish meant he did not complete the "Triple Crown" of endurance racing, as he had already won the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring that year.
You can watch this video to learn more about the controversial 1966 Le Mans finish: 37sKieran MoggYouTube · Jul 5, 2024
- Team Order: Ford instructed Miles to slow down his car in the final moments to create a dead heat with the other Ford GT40, driven by Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon. This was intended to be a symbolic victory for Ford over Ferrari.
- Controversial Finish: Because the finish line was at a specific distance marker, officials ruled that the car driven by McLaren and Amon had covered slightly more distance, thus making them the official winners.
- Tragic Aftermath: Miles died in a crash later that year while testing a new Ford GT40 model. His life and his near-win at Le Mans were depicted in the 2019 film Ford v Ferrari.
