So many hours enjoying Mr. Hill's words in R&T. A unique, multi-talented and remarkable individual. Sympathies to his family and close friends.
From LA Times: http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-hill29-2008aug29,0,1758007.story?track=rss
Mr. Hill retired long before my birth, so I knew him primarily through his writings in R&T and his restoration work. Someone whose contribution to the automotive and racing communities truly cannot be measured, and he did it with grace, humility, humor and class. He will be missed. Condolences to his family, friends, and fans around the world. RIP Phil
We visited Maranello on the Easter weekend 2003. We had lunch in one of the local restaurants, the mechanics from the F1 team were in the backroom and we noticed that some locals had their picture taken with an older fellow on the table next to us. I figured he must be some local politician or something. Anyhow, after he left I asked our waiter who that was and he said Phil Hill. I felt so stupid and like crying for having missed a great opportunity. However as luck would have it, I visited Goodwood's Festival of Speed in 2004 and as I was hanging out in the Ferrari pits, there he was. This time I recognized him, went to him, got his signature and a fotograph taken. The only thing odd was that this other fellow next to him always kinda got into the picture. Only later did I learn who that was... I better brush up on my racing heroes. Phil, you'll be missed! Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Indeed. Sorry for the hijack. But I can only highly recommend to anybody to go to an event like Goodwood's and enjoy the racing legends from yesteryear. Enjoy them while they're still with us and tell them how much you appreciate them. Image Unavailable, Please Login
I am really saddened by this. Phil Hill is the one of the first "Ferrari" people I met. I was just a doorman at the the host hotel of an FCA meet, but he called me by my first name whenever he saw me. I don't care if I was wearing a nametag. It was that he used my name that impressed me. I'll never forget when I met Mr. Hill for the first time when he checked in, and a few minutes later I asked Bob Smith (of Gainesville TX) if that was "the" Phil Hill, who wrote for Road and Track. (I was not bleeding rossa corsa at this time in my life.) Bob chuckled and said, "You mean 'the' Phil Hill, 1961 Formula 1 Champion? Yes, that's 'the' Phil Hill." Goodbye Mr. Hill. You'll be missed. I think I'll watch "Grand Prix" tonight.
He was a really nice and approachable guy. He seemed to know how lucky he was and was humbled by how much people made a big deal of him. I met him a few times at different events and he always impressed me with how open and accessible he was. In many ways he was the opposite of the old chicken rancher. He will be missed.
Ive got a few nice stories too from over the years - Back in 1994 when Ferrari was at Monterey Historics, I was signing in at the check-in tent at the entrance. After printing & signing my name..I looked at the signature just above me. It was "Phil Hill". Surprised and shocked I looked up and all around in a bit of a frenzy...and yes...there he was standing just a few feet away from me with his wife. After a polite hello...we went on our ways. I ran into him later getting a poster of him driving a 250 TR signed. - This must have been 2001 or 2002. I ran into him again and started up a conversation about his son Derek. I told him I too was in the Ferrari Challenge as a driver. We talked for a while about racing Ferraris. It was cool. very sad news indeed
WOW, I remember hearing about him being ill during the Valencia race, God what a sad day in racing history...........
Wow, the father of the Chaparral! What a privilege to meet them both. Precious souvenirs... Jim and Phil were teammates at one point I believe... Photo from La Times... Image Unavailable, Please Login
Yes. Phil drove for Chaparral in '66 and '67, as I recall, when they (he and Jim H.) contested the FIA sports prototype category. I think they won overall at the 'Ring in '66. I'm feeling very sad.
Very sad to hear I had the pleasure of meeting him last year at a Charity Event at his house. What an awesome man, a man I will never forget. Was expecting to see him again this year at Danvilles D Elegance show, but I guess his time has come. Rest in Peace Mr. Hill! -Brian attached one little pic I took Image Unavailable, Please Login
Noooo, really?! When did this happen? I met him once and he was a really nice guy to talk to. I can't believe he is gone too. Condolences to the family.
