What Happened to Ken Miles? Did Ken Miles Really Slow Down? How Did Ken Miles Die?

What Happened to Ken Miles?

Ken Miles, born on November 1, 1918, was a British racing driver and engineer who played a significant role in the world of motorsports during the 1960s. Unfortunately, Ken Miles met a tragic end on August 17, 1966, while testing a prototype car known as the Ford J-car at the Riverside International Raceway in California, USA.

During the test, the J-car experienced a catastrophic failure, causing it to flip and crash. Tragically, Ken Miles lost his life in the accident, leaving behind a remarkable legacy in the automotive racing industry.

Miles had made a notable impact on the racing world prior to his untimely demise. He played a crucial role in the development and success of the Ford GT40 program, particularly during the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans race in 1966. Miles, along with his co-driver Denny Hulme, achieved victory in the 1966 24 Hours of Daytona.

Ken Miles’ contributions to motorsports, engineering, and racing driver development continue to be remembered and celebrated to this day. He left an indelible mark on the automotive world and remains an inspirational figure for racing enthusiasts.

Did Ken Miles Really Slow Down?

Yes, there is a famous incident known as the “Ford photo finish” during the 24 Hours of Le Man’s race in 1966, where it is believed that Ken Miles intentionally slowed down near the finish line. The race was a close battle between the Ford GT40s, and the team wanted to achieve a photo finish with all three of their cars crossing the line together.

As the race neared its conclusion, Ken Miles was leading the race in the Ford GT40 with Bruce McLaren close behind in another Ford GT40. The team wanted a perfect photo finish with their cars side by side, so they signaled to Miles to slow down in order to allow McLaren to catch up.

However, due to a misunderstanding of the signals, Miles slowed down too much, allowing McLaren to take the victory by a mere few feet. It is important to note that this incident has been the subject of some debate and speculation, as there are varying accounts of what exactly transpired during those final moments of the race.

Nevertheless, Ken Miles’ performance and contributions to the Ford GT40 program and motorsports, in general, were highly regarded, and his skills as a driver and engineer were widely recognized. His untimely death in a testing accident later that year further cemented his status as a legendary figure in the racing world.

How Did Ken Miles Die?

Ken Miles died in a tragic accident while conducting testing on the Ford J-car prototype. On August 17, 1966, at the Riverside International Raceway in California, USA, Miles was behind the wheel of the J-car during a testing session. During the course of the test, an unexpected and severe mechanical failure occurred, causing the J-car to overturn and crash. Regrettably, Ken Miles lost his life as a result of the accident.

The precise details surrounding the cause of the accident and the specific nature of the mechanical failure have remained subjects of speculation and discussion over the years.

It is important to acknowledge that Miles’ passing transpired shortly after his notable accomplishments, such as his triumph in the 1966 24 Hours of Daytona and his valuable contributions to the development and success of the Ford GT40 program.

Despite his untimely demise, Ken Miles left an enduring impact on the realm of motorsports, particularly in the fields of racing and engineering. He is revered as a legendary figure in the history of automotive racing, and his contributions continue to be remembered and celebrated to this day.

Who was Ken Miles?

Kenneth Henry Jarvis Miles, born on November 1, 1918, in Sutton Coldfield, Warwickshire (now part of Birmingham), was a British sports car racing engineer and driver renowned for his successful career in the United States and international motorsports. He has been honored with an induction into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America.

Miles began his professional journey at a young age, leaving school at 15 to become an apprentice at Wolseley Motors. He displayed a passion for vehicle construction and even attempted to run away to the United States before embarking on his apprenticeship. Prior to his motorsport career, Miles also raced motorcycles and served in the British Army during World War II.

In the military, Miles initially served as a driving instructor in the Territorial Army. On October 1, 1942, he became one of the founding members of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) and underwent training at the REME Training Establishment as an armament artificer.

He was later assigned to various workshops, including the Guards Armoured Division Workshops and the 29th Armoured Brigade Workshop. Miles participated in the Normandy landings on June 15, 1944, and served with the Light Aid Detachment of the 15th/19th King’s Royal Hussars. His time as a tank commander further fueled his passion for high-performance engineering.

Miles continued to serve in North West Europe until the end of the war, reaching the rank of staff sergeant. He was discharged to the reserves on April 1, 1946, and his experiences during the war laid the foundation for his future endeavors in motorsports.

Ken Miles’ exceptional skills and contributions as a racing engineer and driver earned him a prominent place in motorsport history. His achievements, both on and off the track, continue to be remembered and celebrated in the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America and beyond.

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