Ken Miles is an iconic figure in the motor racing world, having competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans race six times. His best result came in 1966, when he finished second to his teammate, Bruce McLaren. But why did Miles place second?
In the years leading up to Le Mans, Miles had experienced a great deal of success. He was the 1965 FIA GT World Champion and had won the 24 Hours of Daytona that same year. He was a skilled driver, and had proven his ability to compete at the highest levels. However, there were a number of factors that contributed to Miles' second place finish at Le Mans.
The first factor was the car itself. Miles was driving a Ford GT40 Mark II, a car that was not as powerful as some of the other cars in the race. This meant that Miles had to be careful and precise in his driving, as he was unable to make up for any mistakes with sheer speed. Additionally, the GT40 had reliability issues, which could have been a factor in Miles' race.
The second factor was the weather. On the day of the race, the weather was unusually cold and wet. This could have hampered Miles' performance, as he was used to racing in warm, dry conditions. Additionally, the wet conditions could have caused the GT40 to have issues with tire grip, further hampering Miles' performance.
Finally, the third factor was the team's strategy. The team was determined to win the race with one of its cars, and so it pitted Bruce McLaren and Ken Miles at different points in the race. This meant that the two drivers were racing against each other, rather than working together as a team. In the end, it was McLaren who won the race, while Miles was forced to settle for second.
In the end, it was a combination of factors that led to Ken Miles' second place finish at Le Mans. From the car he was driving to the weather conditions, and the team's strategy, Miles was up against some tough odds. Despite this, he still put in a strong performance, cementing his place as one of the greatest drivers in racing history.
Ken Miles was one of the most accomplished race car drivers of his time, yet he tragically placed second at Le Mans in 1966. But why? Uncovering the story behind Ken Miles' placement at Le Mans reveals a complex series of events that ultimately resulted in his heartbreaking finish.
Le Mans is one of the most prestigious endurance races in the world and it was no different in 1966. Ken Miles and his co-driver, Denny Hulme, had a clear lead for most of the race. But, as the checkered flag approached, Miles was instructed by the Ford racing team to slow down, allowing the second-place car to overtake him and take the victory.
The reason for this move was that the Ford team was trying to secure an overall win in the race, which required two of its cars to finish in the top three. So, even though Miles had a commanding lead, the team was ensuring that the second-place car would cross the finish line first.
The result was a heartbreaking finish for Ken Miles and his co-driver. Despite their impressive performance, they had to settle for second place. It's a decision that still sparks debate and controversy today. But, it's also a reminder of the complex and unpredictable nature of motorsport.
Ken Miles was a legendary racing driver who is best known for his second place finish at the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans race. Miles was an incredibly talented driver who was a master of car control and strategy. Despite this, the circumstances surrounding the race ultimately led to Miles finishing in second place.
The race was a grueling 24 hours and Miles was driving a Ford GT40 Mark II. He was pitted against the Ferrari 330 P3 of Lorenzo Bandini and Bob Bondurant. Miles was in the lead for the majority of the race, but near the end, a controversy began to unfold.
Ford had instructed their team to finish the race in formation, with the first two cars crossing the line side-by-side. Miles had been in the lead for most of the race, but Ford wanted the publicity of a photo finish, so they told the drivers to slow down and let the second place car catch up. This resulted in Miles finishing second and Bandini and Bondurant taking the checkered flag side-by-side.
In the end, it was Ford's decision to slow down the race that cost Miles the win. He was a remarkable driver who deserved to win the race, but the circumstances that unfolded prevented him from doing so. To this day, Miles is remembered for his incredible driving skills and his second place finish at Le Mans.
