Some of you may have heard of the hit film “Le Mans 66”, known as “Ford vs Ferrari” in other counties across the world. Few racing events achieve the competitive greatness of the annual Le Mans race, which is held in the North-East of France. Le Mans is typically known for its bitter rivalry, man and machine coming together to battle out a gruelling 24 hours of racing, yet no-one knew that the race in 1966 would come to be known as one of the greatest showdowns in racing history.
The stage was set for a titanic battle between Ford and Ferrari, two of the biggest names in racing at the time. Ferrari had ruled the racing world for years, especially at Le Mans, where they had won six times in the preceding seven years. But in the early 1960s, Henry Ford II launched a daring scheme to challenge Ferrari's supremacy, keen to improve Ford's standing in motorsport.
There were many obstacles in Ford's path at Le Mans '66. Henry Ford II famously said, "We'll beat his ass," as a result of a rivalry formed from talks that held fallen through the previous year. Ford assigned British racer Ken Miles and automotive genius Carroll Shelby to lead his team in creating a vehicle that could unseat Ferrari at Le Mans.
The outcome was the Ford GT40, a ground-breaking racing vehicle that fused European engineering skill with American muscle. The GT40, with its aerodynamic body and potent V8 engine, was ready to challenge Ferrari's ‘of their era’ cars right on their home turf, what was soon to become a year to forget for the Italian brand.
The competition and stakes of this race leading up to the start of the 1966 24 hours of Le Mans cannot be understated. The race was full of fire from the start, with accidents and mechanical issues reducing the number of competitors. The Ford and Ferrari battle heated up as night fell, with the GT40s and Ferraris switching places at the front of the group.
The then current Formula One champion and Ferrari driver, Lorenzo Bandini, was tragically engaged in a deadly accident early on Sunday morning. Despite this, the competitive nature of both sides prevailed, with the two sides battling it out for first place as the sun rose in the French countryside.
With dawn having broken over the Circuit de La Sarthe, it was obvious that the race's last hours would determine the winner. In an attempt to clinch the race, Ken Miles, piloting the #1 GT40, went above and beyond the capabilities of both man and machine while Ford had a tiny lead. In a breathtaking demonstration of talent and perseverance, Miles kept up a rapid pace, smashing lap records and putting Ford in contention for the win.
In an impressive conclusion to an exceptional race, the Ford GT40s finished the race in a memorable 1-2-3 photo finish, with Miles and co-driver Denny Hulme winning first place. The victory at Le Mans was a significant moment in the history of motorsport, with Ford managimg to defy all critics, and achieve the unthinkable which was to beat Ferrari.
The memories of Le Mans '66 are still vivid for fans of racing and movie enthusiasts, showcasing the relentless drive for competition and excellence. The 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans will always be engraved in the prestigious world of motorsport as an example of overcoming challenges and the strength of determination in reaching success.
