As the 1966 Le Mans season approached, the rivalry between Ford and Ferrari reached a fever pitch. Ferrari, determined to defend its title, had upgraded its 250 GTO to the 250 LM, a car that was almost unbeatable on the track. Meanwhile, Ford continued to refine its GT40, making crucial improvements to its engine, transmission, and aerodynamics.
As the clock ticked down to the final minutes of the race, the battle for the top step of the podium reached its climax. The Ford GT40s, driven by Ken Miles and Denny Hulme, and the Ferrari 250 LM, driven by Bandini, Gregg, and Vaccarella, were nose-to-tail. Ford v Ferrari - Le Mans -66 La grande sfida -2...
On June 19, 1966, the 24 Hours of Le Mans kicked off with a grid of 50 cars, including three Ford GT40s and four Ferrari 250 LMs. The starting grid was a who’s who of racing legends, with drivers like Ken Miles, Phil Hill, and Lorenzo Bandini competing for glory. As the 1966 Le Mans season approached, the
As the hours ticked by, the battle between Ford and Ferrari intensified. The Ferraris, plagued by mechanical issues and tire wear, began to falter, while the Ford GT40s continued to push the pace. However, disaster struck for Ford when a faulty fuel system forced Ken Miles to pit for repairs. As the clock ticked down to the final
Meanwhile, the Ferrari 250 LM, driven by Lorenzo Bandini, Peter Gregg, and Nino Vaccarella, had taken the lead, but a series of pit stops and mechanical issues allowed the Ford GT40s to close the gap.
As the green flag waved, the GT40s and 250 LMs quickly established themselves as the cars to beat. The Ferraris, with their powerful V12 engines, initially took the lead, but the Ford GT40s soon closed the gap. Ken Miles, driving the iconic GT/40 #2, took the lead in the early hours of the race, with his teammate, Denny Hulme, hot on his heels.