Hill, Phil
Auto Racing
b. April 20, 1927, Miami, FL
The first American ever to win the World Championship of Drivers in Formula One racing, Hill joined the Ferrari racing team in 1956 after driving sports cars for seven years. He got his first Formula One start in 1958 and his first victory in 1960, in the Grand Prix of Europe.
In 1961, Hill won the Grand Prix of Belgium and Grand Prix of Italy and finished second in the Grand Prix of Holland and Grand Prix of England to win the world title.
Hill also won the 24 Hours of Le Mans and 12 hours of Sebring endurance tests three times each.
He retired from racing after winning the 1967 BOAC 500 at Brands Hatch, England.
Hill's involvement with automobiles has continued. He worked with Ford to help develop the GT 40 series and the Daytona Coupes and for many years he was a partner in an automotive restoration business. He has also worked as a televisoin commentator and as a contributing editor for Road & Track magazine.
His son, Derek, began racing in 1995 and won the Barber Dodge Pro Racing Series in 1997.