What was Ken Miles' death car? Ken Miles' death car was a Ford GT40 Mk.I, chassis number 1046.
Miles was killed while testing the car at Riverside International Raceway in California on August 17, 1966. The car went off the track at high speed and rolled over several times. Miles was thrown from the car and died instantly.
The Ford GT40 Mk.I was a mid-engined sports car developed by Ford to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The car was powered by a 4.7-liter V8 engine and was capable of speeds of over 200 mph. The GT40 Mk.I won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966, giving Ford its first overall victory at the race.
Miles was a talented driver who had won numerous races in his career. He was considered one of the best drivers in the world at the time of his death. Miles' death was a tragic loss for the racing community and for Ford. The Ford GT40 Mk.I is now considered one of the most iconic racing cars of all time.
Ken Miles' Death Car
Introduction
Ken Miles' death car was a Ford GT40 Mk.I, chassis number 1046. The car was involved in a fatal accident at Riverside International Raceway in California on August 17, 1966, resulting in Miles' death.
Key Aspects
- The Ford GT40 Mk.I was a mid-engined sports car developed by Ford to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
- The car was powered by a 4.7-liter V8 engine and was capable of speeds of over 200 mph.
- Miles was a talented driver who had won numerous races in his career.
- Miles' death was a tragic loss for the racing community and for Ford.
Discussion
The Ford GT40 Mk.I was a revolutionary car for its time. It was one of the first mid-engined sports cars, and its powerful V8 engine gave it a significant advantage over its competitors. Miles was one of the best drivers in the world at the time of his death, and he was considered a favorite to win the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans. His death was a devastating blow to Ford's racing program, and it cast a shadow over the victory of the GT40 Mk.II at Le Mans that year.
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Ken Miles' death highlights the importance of safety in racing. The GT40 Mk.I was a powerful car, and it was not equipped with many of the safety features that are standard on race cars today. Miles' death could have been prevented if the car had been equipped with a roll cage and a HANS device.
Since Miles' death, there have been significant improvements in safety in racing. Roll cages and HANS devices are now required in most racing series, and tracks have been redesigned to make them safer for drivers. As a result, the number of fatal accidents in racing has declined dramatically.
Ken Miles' Death Car
Ken Miles' death car was a Ford GT40 Mk.I, chassis number 1046. The car was involved in a fatal accident at Riverside International Raceway in California on August 17, 1966, resulting in Miles' death.
- Key Aspect: Ford GT40 Mk.I
- Key Aspect: Chassis number 1046
- Key Aspect: Riverside International Raceway
- Key Aspect: August 17, 1966
- Key Aspect: Fatal accident
- Key Aspect: Ken Miles' death
The Ford GT40 Mk.I was a mid-engined sports car developed by Ford to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The car was powered by a 4.7-liter V8 engine and was capable of speeds of over 200 mph. Miles was one of the best drivers in the world at the time of his death, and he was considered a favorite to win the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans. His death was a devastating blow to Ford's racing program, and it cast a shadow over the victory of the GT40 Mk.II at Le Mans that year.
The personal details and bio data of Ken Miles are as follows:
| Name | Birth Date | Birth Place | Death Date | Death Place |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ken Miles | November 1, 1918 | Sutton Coldfield, England | August 17, 1966 | Riverside, California, USA |
Key Aspect
The Ford GT40 Mk.I was a mid-engined sports car developed by Ford to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The car was powered by a 4.7-liter V8 engine and was capable of speeds of over 200 mph. The GT40 Mk.I was a revolutionary car for its time, and it helped Ford to achieve its first overall victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966.
Ken Miles was one of the best drivers in the world at the time of his death, and he was considered a favorite to win the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans. Miles was driving a Ford GT40 Mk.I when he was killed during a test session at Riverside International Raceway in California on August 17, 1966. The car went off the track at high speed and rolled over several times. Miles was thrown from the car and died instantly.
The Ford GT40 Mk.I was a powerful and demanding car to drive. It is believed that Miles' death was caused by a combination of factors, including the car's high speed, the lack of safety features, and Miles' own aggressive driving style. The GT40 Mk.I was later modified to make it safer, and it went on to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1968 and 1969.
Key Aspect
Chassis number 1046 was the specific Ford GT40 Mk.I that Ken Miles was driving when he was killed during a test session at Riverside International Raceway in California on August 17, 1966. The car went off the track at high speed and rolled over several times. Miles was thrown from the car and died instantly.
- Facet 1: The significance of chassis number 1046
Chassis number 1046 was one of the first Ford GT40 Mk.Is to be built. It was also one of the most successful, winning several races in 1966. Miles had a lot of experience driving chassis number 1046, and he was very comfortable with the car.
- Facet 2: The condition of chassis number 1046
Chassis number 1046 was in good condition at the time of the accident. The car had been recently serviced and inspected, and there were no known mechanical problems. However, the car was not equipped with many of the safety features that are standard on race cars today, such as a roll cage and a HANS device.
- Facet 3: The circumstances of the accident
The accident occurred on a hot day, and the track was very slippery. Miles was driving at high speed when the car went off the track and rolled over several times. It is believed that Miles may have lost control of the car due to the slippery conditions.
- Facet 4: The impact of the accident
The accident had a profound impact on the racing community. Miles was one of the best drivers in the world, and his death was a huge loss. The accident also cast a shadow over Ford's racing program, and it is believed that it contributed to Ford's decision to withdraw from racing at the end of the 1966 season.
The accident that killed Ken Miles was a tragic event. It is a reminder of the dangers of racing, and it highlights the importance of safety in motorsports.
Key Aspect
Riverside International Raceway was the site of Ken Miles' fatal accident on August 17, 1966. Miles was testing a Ford GT40 Mk.I at the track when the car went off the track and rolled over several times. Miles was thrown from the car and died instantly.
Riverside International Raceway was a challenging track, with a long straight and several high-speed corners. The track was also known to be slippery, especially in hot weather. On the day of the accident, the track was particularly slippery due to a combination of heat and oil that had been spilled on the track during a previous race.
Miles was an experienced driver, but he was not familiar with Riverside International Raceway. He had only driven the track once before, and that was in a different car. Miles may have been driving too fast for the conditions, and he may have lost control of the car due to the slippery track.
The accident at Riverside International Raceway was a tragedy. It is a reminder of the dangers of racing, and it highlights the importance of safety in motorsports.
Key Aspect
August 17, 1966, was the date of Ken Miles' fatal accident at Riverside International Raceway. Miles was testing a Ford GT40 Mk.I when the car went off the track and rolled over several times. Miles was thrown from the car and died instantly.
- Facet 1: The significance of the date
August 17, 1966, was a significant date in the history of motorsports. It was the day that one of the world's best drivers was killed in a tragic accident. Miles' death cast a shadow over the sport and led to a number of changes in safety regulations.
- Facet 2: The circumstances of the accident
The accident occurred on a hot day, and the track was very slippery. Miles was driving at high speed when the car went off the track. It is believed that Miles may have lost control of the car due to the slippery conditions.
- Facet 3: The impact of the accident
The accident had a profound impact on the racing community. Miles was one of the best drivers in the world, and his death was a huge loss. The accident also cast a shadow over Ford's racing program, and it is believed that it contributed to Ford's decision to withdraw from racing at the end of the 1966 season.
- Facet 4: The legacy of the accident
The accident at Riverside International Raceway is a reminder of the dangers of racing. It is also a reminder of the importance of safety in motorsports. The accident led to a number of changes in safety regulations, and it helped to make the sport safer for drivers.
The accident that killed Ken Miles was a tragedy. It is a reminder of the dangers of racing, and it highlights the importance of safety in motorsports.
Key Aspect
The fatal accident that occurred on August 17, 1966, at Riverside International Raceway, is a pivotal event in the history of motorsports. The accident, which claimed the life of legendary driver Ken Miles, has had a profound impact on the sport, leading to significant changes in safety regulations and raising awareness about the inherent dangers of racing.
The fatal accident involving Ken Miles' death car, the Ford GT40 Mk.I chassis number 1046, was a result of several contributing factors. Miles, an experienced and skilled driver, was testing the car at high speed when it went off the track and rolled over several times. The lack of safety features in the car, such as a roll cage and HANS device, contributed to the severity of the accident and ultimately led to Miles' death.
The tragic accident highlighted the need for improved safety measures in motorsports. In the years following Miles' death, racing organizations implemented stricter safety regulations, including mandatory roll cages, fire suppression systems, and improved track designs. These changes have undoubtedly saved lives and reduced the number of serious injuries in racing.
Key Aspect
The death of Ken Miles in a Ford GT40 Mk.I chassis number 1046 during a test session at Riverside International Raceway on August 17, 1966, is a pivotal event in the history of motorsports. Miles was one of the most talented and successful drivers of his era, and his death was a huge loss to the sport.
The accident that claimed Miles' life had a profound impact on the development of safety regulations in motorsports. In the years following his death, racing organizations implemented stricter safety measures, including mandatory roll cages, fire suppression systems, and improved track designs. These changes have undoubtedly saved lives and reduced the number of serious injuries in racing.
The legacy of Ken Miles is one of innovation, passion, and courage. He was a pioneer in the development of high-performance cars, and his contributions to the sport of motorsports are immeasurable. His death was a tragedy, but it also served as a catalyst for positive change in the sport. The safety regulations that are in place today are a testament to his legacy and ensure that drivers are better protected in the event of an accident.
FAQs about Ken Miles' Death Car
This section addresses frequently asked questions about Ken Miles' death car, providing concise and informative answers.
Question 1: What type of car was Ken Miles driving when he died?Ken Miles was driving a Ford GT40 Mk.I, chassis number 1046, when he was killed during a test session at Riverside International Raceway on August 17, 1966.
Question 2: What caused Ken Miles' fatal accident?The exact cause of Ken Miles' accident is unknown, but it is believed that a combination of factors, including high speed, slippery track conditions, and the lack of safety features in the car, contributed to the crash.
The tragic accident led to significant changes in safety regulations in motorsports, including the mandatory use of roll cages, fire suppression systems, and improved track designs. Ken Miles' legacy as a talented driver and innovator continues to inspire and influence the sport today.
Conclusion
Ken Miles' death car, the Ford GT40 Mk.I chassis number 1046, serves as a poignant reminder of the dangers of motorsports and the importance of safety. Miles' tragic accident in 1966 led to significant changes in safety regulations, resulting in improved safety measures for drivers and advancements in track design.
The legacy of Ken Miles extends beyond his untimely demise. His contributions to the development of high-performance cars and his innovative spirit continue to inspire generations of drivers and engineers. Miles' death car stands as a testament to the risks inherent in motorsports, while also highlighting the progress that has been made in enhancing safety.
