September 10, 1961 | FerrariChat

September 10, 1961

Discussion in 'Vintage (thru 365 GTC4)' started by Doug Nye, Sep 9, 2021.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. Doug Nye

    Doug Nye Formula Junior
    Honorary

    Jan 21, 2008
    270
    UK
    Tomorrow is the 60th anniversary of Phil Hill becoming the first American winner of the Formula 1 Drivers World Championship title. He achieved that life's ambition by winning the Italian GP at Monza in his 'Sharknose' Ferrari 156 - after leading the race effectively throughout.

    The day, the race, and motor racing history were all scarred by the fatal accident involving Phil's team-mate and title rival Wolfgang 'Taffy' von Trips, in a sister 'Sharknose'. That terrible tragedy claimed the lives of 14 spectators in addition to that of the popular and talented German aristocrat - but at the time it happened, Phil was already long-gone, into the lead he never lost.

    I'm a teetotaller, but I will be raising a cup of finest to mark this anniversary - to pay homage to the memory of an immensely valued friend - and I would hope that Ferrari enthusiasts and followers worldwide will be doing much the same, cup, glass, bowl, bottle or carafe...as you fancy...

    DCN
     
    franmort, mcimino, christc and 16 others like this.
  2. Jack-the-lad

    Jack-the-lad Six Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Jun 22, 2004
    69,037
    Moot Pointe
    Amen.

    Thank you for the reminder, Doug.

    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
    franmort, MarkL, mcimino and 2 others like this.
  3. ggjjr

    ggjjr Formula Junior

    Nov 11, 2003
    870
    Detroit
    Full Name:
    George
    Doug, thank you!
     
    mcimino likes this.
  4. DWR46

    DWR46 Formula 3
    Honorary

    Jun 19, 2012
    1,807
    Doug: On that Sunday (morning in the States), I was sitting at the dining room table doing high school homework. In that time, there were VERY few sources for current auto racing news, but there was one radio program that broadcast a five minute segment on Saturday and Sunday. I had the radio tuned to the correct station, and when I heard of Von Trips death, it forever changed how I viewed motorsports. For some unknown reason I was fascinated by the Count. I followed his career and carefully read all the race reports in Road & Track and Sports Cars Illustrated. It is strange how certain events are etched deeply in your mind for the rest of your life, and this was one of those moments.
     
    amerikalei, wbaeumer, mcimino and 6 others like this.
  5. GBTR6

    GBTR6 Formula Junior

    Dec 29, 2011
    452
    Titletown, USA
    Full Name:
    Perry Rondou
    I met Phil Hill years ago at Elkhart Lake. He was at the Redman Vintage race as Grand Marshall. He was very nice and signed my T-shirt. I also have a Revival kit of the Sharknose with his signature. He was class.

    Perry
     
    mcimino likes this.
  6. Marcel Massini

    Marcel Massini Two Time F1 World Champ
    Honorary

    Mar 2, 2005
    22,737
  7. Jedi

    Jedi Moderator
    Moderator Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Mar 18, 2008
    31,528
    Seattle Area
    Full Name:
    Dave
    15 spectators lost their lives in that horrific crash that day as well :(

    Jedi
     
    Jeronimo GTO likes this.
  8. Jack-the-lad

    Jack-the-lad Six Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Jun 22, 2004
    69,037
    Moot Pointe
    I prefer to remember Hill’s championship in this particular thread.
     
  9. Marcel Massini

    Marcel Massini Two Time F1 World Champ
    Honorary

    Mar 2, 2005
    22,737
    I took this photo of Phil Hill and Jean Todt at The Quail, a Motorsport Gathering at Quail Lodge in Carmel Valley, 15 August 2008.
    13 days later, 28 August 2008, Mr. Hill passed away.

    Marcel Massini

    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  10. Balsamina

    Balsamina Formula Junior

    May 19, 2010
    927
    San Francisco Area
    Full Name:
    S
    Here here.

    @ggjjr: I like your avatar! It looks like its taken from the first edition cover of the Hill biography Yankee Champion.
     
  11. Jack-the-lad

    Jack-the-lad Six Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Jun 22, 2004
    69,037
    Moot Pointe
  12. Nembo1777

    Nembo1777 F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 4, 2006
    10,147
    opposite lock
    Full Name:
    Marc Sonnery
    He was always very approachable, kind and willing to talk, here is the first time I met him, at the first Cavallino Classic in 1992. I later interviewed him on the phone several times for various articles, he had accepted the idea in principle to write the foreword for my first book though that one did not materialize. Later in the 90's at Torrey Pines after I test drove 250 TR 0748 all day in the mountains for Cavallino I had been asked to pass it on to him so he could drive it up the hillclimb with his wife. He asked how the car was. I said everything is fine, the brakes are weak but consistent. He had a look under the hood/bonnet, did not ask further questions, thanked me and off they went. Unlike other top drivers I can think of he and his wife raised their son very well, Derek is always a pleasure to speak with, always available.

    Cheers to his biggest if sad day 60 years ago!

    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  13. Marcel Massini

    Marcel Massini Two Time F1 World Champ
    Honorary

    Mar 2, 2005
    22,737
    I met Phil Hill for the first time in September 1981 at Mas du Clos while he was testing the freshly restored 0808 of Pierre Bardinon.

    Marcel Massini

    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  14. Marcel Massini

    Marcel Massini Two Time F1 World Champ
    Honorary

    Mar 2, 2005
    22,737
    #14 Marcel Massini, Sep 10, 2021
    Last edited: Sep 10, 2021
  15. Marcel Massini

    Marcel Massini Two Time F1 World Champ
    Honorary

    Mar 2, 2005
    22,737
    BJK, amerikalei, franmort and 6 others like this.
  16. Marcel Massini

    Marcel Massini Two Time F1 World Champ
    Honorary

    Mar 2, 2005
    22,737
    I took this photo showing Phil Hill and Olivier Gendebien in Brussels on 26 September 1992.
    Jacques Swaters and Richard Attwood in the back.

    Marcel Massini

    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  17. Marcel Massini

    Marcel Massini Two Time F1 World Champ
    Honorary

    Mar 2, 2005
    22,737
    BJK, franmort, JimEakin and 3 others like this.
  18. Marcel Massini

    Marcel Massini Two Time F1 World Champ
    Honorary

    Mar 2, 2005
    22,737
    franmort and Jack-the-lad like this.
  19. Jack-the-lad

    Jack-the-lad Six Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Jun 22, 2004
    69,037
    Moot Pointe
    Does someone want to take a stab at identifying the watch? It appears to be a Heuer of some type but I’m no horologist.
     
  20. Jack-the-lad

    Jack-the-lad Six Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Jun 22, 2004
    69,037
    Moot Pointe
    I’ve changed my avatar for the weekend in honor of the occasion.

    Thanks, Marcel.
     
    Nembo1777 likes this.
  21. wbaeumer

    wbaeumer F1 Veteran
    Consultant

    Mar 4, 2005
    8,826
    Great shot, Marcel!!!
     
  22. Balsamina

    Balsamina Formula Junior

    May 19, 2010
    927
    San Francisco Area
    Full Name:
    S
    I feel privileged to view these candid photos of Phil Hill. Thank you Marcel & Marc for sharing.
     
    Nembo1777 likes this.

Share This Page