Who started Ford Racing?

Ford Racing: A Brief History
Ford Racing, now known as Ford Performance, is the high-performance division of the Ford Motor Company and is responsible for the company’s motorsport and racing activities. The roots of Ford Racing can be traced back to the early days of the Ford Motor Company and its founder, Henry Ford.
Henry Ford’s Interest in Racing
Henry Ford had a keen interest in racing cars and saw racing as an opportunity to showcase the capabilities of his automobiles. In 1901, Ford entered a sweepstakes race at the Grosse Pointe Race Track with a car he had built called the “Sweepstakes.” Despite having no prior racing experience, Ford and his associates decided to participate in the race to demonstrate the speed and performance of their car.
The Founding of Ford Motor Company
The race at Grosse Pointe generated positive press for Ford and his car, and it was from the proceeds of this race that Ford was able to start the Henry Ford Company, which later became the Ford Motor Company. Racing played a significant role in the early days of the company, providing publicity and financial backing for its growth.
Evolution of Ford Racing
Over the years, Ford Racing has evolved and expanded its activities. It has been involved in various forms of motorsport, including NASCAR, Formula One, rally racing, and endurance racing. Ford has achieved numerous successes in these competitions, with notable victories at events like the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Ford Performance Today
Today, Ford Performance continues to develop high-performance vehicles and components, including performance cars, supercars, performance parts, and racing parts. The division is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of automotive performance and innovation.
Conclusion
Ford Racing, now known as Ford Performance, has a rich history that dates back to the early days of the Ford Motor Company. Henry Ford’s interest in racing and his participation in races played a significant role in the company’s founding and growth. Today, Ford Performance continues to be a leader in the world of motorsport and high-performance vehicles.
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Did Ken Miles win the 1966 Le Mans?

Miles won the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1966, and he placed second at Le Mans. Miles died in a crash while testing Ford’s J-Car later that year. British-born Ken Miles was a gifted race car engineer and driver. Through his work for Carroll Shelby, Miles got involved in Ford’s GT racing program.

Did Ken Miles build the GT40?

As an automotive engineer, he is known for developing the Ford GT40 along with driver and designer Carroll Shelby, which won at Le Mans in 1966, 1967, 1968 and 1969. He and Shelby’s efforts at Le Mans were dramatized in the 2019 Oscar-winning film Ford v Ferrari.

What is the most famous Ford race car?

Ford GT40
Ford GT40 cemented its legendary status as the best endurance race car in history. It proved worthy of the money put behind the wheels, with agile speed and killer performance. It won four consecutive Le Mans titles between 1966 and 1969, and the rest is history.

Does any of the Ford family still own Ford?

The company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and is controlled by the Ford family; they have minority ownership but the majority of the voting power.

How did Ford get into racing?

Ford could not, however, attract investors to pursue his vision of the mass-market car. He was not yet well-known outside of Detroit, and his first venture in car manufacturing, the Detroit Automobile Company, had dissolved in 1900. To remedy this situation, Ford turned to the world of automobile racing.

Who is the owner of the Ford Racing team?

Owner : Roger Penske
Roger Penske is not only the most recognizable name in American motorsports, but a man who commands respect in the international racing community…

When did Ford start racing cars?

1901
1901 Ford “Sweepstakes” Race Car
This is Henry Ford’s first race car. After his first auto company failed, Ford turned to racing to restore his reputation. He raced “Sweepstakes” against Alexander Winton on October 10, 1901, and, to everyone’s surprise, the novice Ford beat the established Winton.

What happened to Ken Miles after Le Mans?

As the film sadly depicts, just a few months after Ford defeated Ferrari in the 1966 Le Mans, Ken Miles was killed while testing out a new Ford vehicle (the J-car) at California’s Riverside International Raceway.

Does Jeff Gordon own Hendrick Motorsports?

Gordon drove for Hendrick Motorsports for his entire legendary career and has been an equity partner in the team since 1999. As vice chairman and co-owner, he is the second-ranking official to chairman and majority owner Rick Hendrick and focuses on the organization’s competition and marketing groups.

Was Carroll Shelby there when Ken Miles died?

Answer: No, Carroll Shelby was not present when Ken Miles died. Ken Miles tragically died during a testing accident at Riverside International Raceway on August 17, 1966. Question: When did Carroll Shelby die? Answer: Carroll Shelby passed away on May 10, 2012.