Why didn’t McLaren give Miles the win?
Additionally, McLaren’s #2 started in second position behind Miles’s car and had therefore covered 8 meters more distance during the race. Regardless of the reason, McLaren’s #2 was declared the winner with Miles denied the unique achievement of winning Sebring, Daytona, and Le Mans in the same year. They were under the impression that Miles had won the race, but McLaren was indeed declared the 1966 Le Mans winner. In a 1997 interview Shelby lamented the ACO made up rule and that indeed Ken Miles won the race and feelings of guilt about what had occurred.
Who really won Le Mans in 1966?
Summary. Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon won the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans in the #2 Ford GT40 Mark II. Ford swept the podium that year with first, second and third places. The Ford GT40 Mark II that won the 1966 Le Mans 24 Hours endurance race has been sold to enthusiast Rob Kauffman of RK Motors Charlotte. Developed by Carroll Shelby and driven to victory at Le Mans by Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon, the #2 GT40, chassis P/1046, will be restored to its original configuration.After a deal went sour, the automotive brands went head-to-head at Le Mans in 1966. It was a clash of automotive titans. A years-in-the-making showdown pitting upstart Ford against reigning champion Ferrari for the checkered flag, and bragging rights, at the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race.
Why didn’t Ford let Ken Miles win?
Ultimately, due to a technicality, Ken Miles was given second place instead of first. The race officials ruled that since the car driven by Bruce McLaren/Chris Amon had started the race further back, their car therefore covered a greater distance in the same amount of time. Like in the movie, it’s true that at Henry Ford II’s urging, Ken Miles slowed down to let the other two Ford drivers catch up to him so that all three Ford cars were nearly side-by-side when the race ended. Ultimately, due to a technicality, Ken Miles was given second place instead of first.