In Memoriam: Phil Hill

Although I never had the opportunity to meet him in person, Phil Hill has always been one of my favorite drivers. No matter what he was associated with he always seemed to portray a sense of class and charisma that is a rarity in today's age. I always enjoyed reading any magazine or article that he was a part of. I only wish I could have had the opportunity to speak with him in person. Imagine the stories he could tell!

Here's the official news:

Born in Miami, Florida, Hill was raised in Santa Monica, California, where he lived until his death. He studied business administration at the University of Southern California in 1945-47 but left early to pursue auto racing, working as a mechanic on other drivers' cars. Hill began racing cars at an early age, going to England as a Jaguar trainee in 1949 and signing with Enzo Ferrari’s team in 1956. He made his debut in the French Grand Prix at Reims France in 1958 driving a Maserati. That same year, he won the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Belgian team mate Olivier Gendebien, driving for most of the night in horrific rainy conditions. He and Gendebien would go on to win the famous endurance race two more times.

In 1961, Hill won the 24 Hours of Le Mans again and the Formula One driving championship for the Ferrari team. He secured the championship when he won the Italian Grand Prix at Monza that year. His closest rival, teammate Wolfgang Graf Berghe von Trips, crashed and died in the same race. Earlier that year, during a practice session at the German Grand Prix, Hill became the first man to lap the Nordschleife at the Nürburgring in less than nine minutes. Unlike Mario Andretti, Hill was born in the USA, and is still the only US-born F1 champion.

After leaving Ferrari at the end of 1962 in the great walkout of engineers, he and fellow driver Giancarlo Baghetti started for their new team ATS. Hill continued in Formula One for a few more years until he switched to sports car racing with Ford Motor Company and the Chaparral Cars of Jim Hall.

Phil Hill has the distinction of having won the first (a 3 lap event at Carrell Speedway in a MG TC on July 24 1949) and last races of his driving career, the final victory driving for Chaparral in the BOAC 500 at Brands Hatch in England in 1967.
Following his retirement, Hill built up an award winning classic car restoration business in the 1970s called Hill & Vaughn with business partner Ken Vaughn, until they sold the partnership to Jordanian Raja Gargour and Vaughn went on run a separate business on his own in 1984. Phil remained with Gargour at Hill & Vaughn until the sale of the business again in 1995. Hill also worked as a television commentator for ABC's Wide World of Sports.

Hill had a long and distinguished association with Road & Track magazine. He wrote several articles for them, including road tests and retrospective articles on historic cars and races. He shared his "grand old man" status at R&T with '60s racing rival Paul Frere, who also died in 2008.

Hill, in his last years, devoted his time to his vintage car collection and judged at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance more often than any other individual; 2006 was the 38th time he had judged the event.

Hill was married to Alma, and had three children: Derek, Vanessa and Jennifer. Derek raced in International Formula 3000 in 2001, 2002 and 2003, but was forced to retire when Hill became ill with Parkinson's Disease.

After traveling to the Monterey Historic Automobile Races in August of 2008, Hill was taken to a hospital, where he died after a short illness from complications of Parkinson's Disease in Salinas, California on August 28th.

Que Bella!

How can you not love this new Shell ad? I can't think of anything that sounds as beautiful as an F1 car.

Imagine how complicated and costly something like this was to film. When you take into consideration the logistics and red tape of shooting in so many different international locations you can't help but appreciate the ad even more.

For an even higher quality version click the image below and turn up your speakers.

Sebring 2007

What an incredible weekend! Sebring holds a special place in my heart and this year was no different. The heart thumping finish of the GT2 class above says it all.

I was also on hand to proudly witness my brother-in-law Pierre Kleinubing battle his way to a third place finish in the World Challenge Touring Car season opener in his RTR Acura TSX. Congratulations Pierre! Here's to a repeat championship performance of last year.



The victory champagne also flowed for my friend Charlie Scardina who not only nailed the pole position for the IMSA GT3 Cup race but kept the field at bay to finish first. Best of luck to Charlie for the rest of the series. He may be as rookie but I know he'll do well.

Homestead, FL Ferrari Challenge

This time of year is nirvana for racing fans here in Florida. We have world class concours seemingly every weekend and the racing season gets underway.

I was fortunate enough this past Saturday to catch the Ferrari Challenge down at our local track in Homestead. In addition to the Challenge race there was an incredible sea of Ferraris basking under the 80 degree sunshine with nary a cloud to be seen.

The highlight of the day was watching the F1 cars with my son. If you've never experienced F1 in person you need to add it to the short list of things to do before you die. It's guaranteed to send chills down your spine.

The Wait is Over

Another F1 season is finally upon us! Sadly Michael Schumacher will no longer dumbfound us with his brilliance but I look forward to see who will try to fill his nomex shoes.

The video above is from my favorite circuit Spa, which will be returning to the schedule this year.

The Red Mist

There is an epidemic raging that inflicts the hearts and minds of car enthusiasts. It is a volatile and easily transmitted sickness that has no cure. Those who are stricken suffer from a euphoric state and demonstrate a passionate aversion to being cured.

This disease is known among Tifosi as the "red mist". The red mist is that uncontrollable feeling that strikes you deep down in your core whenever a Ferrari is near. It's the same stirring that ignited your soul the first time you kissed a beautiful girl. It's that same shot of adrenaline you felt the first time you deftly balanced speed, momentum, and traction into a four wheel drift.

Your pulse begins to race and your hands tremble. You are inexplicably overcome by the urge to write blank checks and sing Puccini. You are completely entranced and oblivious to the world around you. You are possessed.

There is hope.

For those of us who suffer from the red mist there is relief in the form of the Cavallino Classic. The Cavallino Classic is the premier Ferrari only event held every January in Palm Beach, Florida at the elegant Breakers Hotel and Resort.


It is here that myself and other proclaimed red mist addicts can gather in the the Florida sunshine and get our "fix" among endless rows of Maranello's finest creations. This year featured an incredible group of 166 Barchettas as well as several pontoon fendered Testarossas. It was, as it always is, simply breathtaking.

The event begins at the local track where you can see Ferraris driven as they were meant to be. Over the course of two full days you'll view every manner of vintage and modern Ferrari at speed. You name it, it's there. There is even a rally on the local scenic streets of Palm Beach that results in a sea of red meandering through palm lined avenues.

The highlight of the week is the magnificent concours that takes place Saturday on the lawn of the Breakers. The collection of Ferraris that are displayed here every year is unquestionably one of the greatest in the country and possibly even the world. I've had the fortune of attending both Pebble Beach and the Concorso Italiano and I can honestly say that there is no greater Ferrari focused event. The breadth and amount of vintage and modern Ferraris on hand is simply mind numbing.

If you suffer from the red mist like myself and so many others, you should seriously consider making the time to attend the next Cavallino Classic. Not only do you get to enjoy an incredible venue, you are guaranteed to get that rush that keeps us addicted to speed and cars for life.

Forza!