When and why did Ken Miles die? Legendary racing driver Ken Miles tragically died on August 17, 1966, at the age of 47, during a testing session at Riverside International Raceway in California.
Ken Miles was a highly skilled and experienced driver, having won several major races including the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring. He was also a key member of the Ford team that developed and raced the Ford GT40, which famously defeated Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966.
On the day of his death, Miles was testing the J Car, a prototype version of the Ford GT40 Mk IV. During the test, the car went off the track and crashed, killing Miles instantly. The exact cause of the crash is still unknown, but it is believed that a suspension failure may have been a factor.
Miles' death was a huge loss to the racing world. He was a talented driver and a true pioneer in the development of sports car racing. His legacy continues to inspire drivers and fans alike.
Ken Miles Died
Ken Miles' tragic death in 1966 was a major loss to the racing world. He was a talented driver and a true pioneer in the development of sports car racing. His legacy continues to inspire drivers and fans alike.
- Date: August 17, 1966
- Location: Riverside International Raceway, California
- Cause: Crash during testing
- Age: 47
- Legacy: Talented driver and pioneer in sports car racing
- Impact: His death was a major loss to the racing world
Miles' death was a reminder of the dangers of racing, but it also highlighted his passion for the sport. He was a fearless driver who was always pushing the limits. His death is a reminder that even the best drivers are not immune to tragedy.
Personal details and bio data of Ken Miles:
| Name | Birthdate | Birthplace | Deathdate | Deathplace |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ken Miles | November 1, 1918 | Sutton Coldfield, England | August 17, 1966 | Riverside, California |
Date
The date August 17, 1966, is significant in the life of Ken Miles because it was the day he died. Miles was a professional racing driver who competed in various races, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans. On August 17, 1966, Miles was testing a Ford J-car at Riverside International Raceway in California when the car crashed, killing him instantly. The cause of the crash is still unknown, but it is believed that a suspension failure may have been a factor.
Miles' death was a major loss to the racing world. He was a talented driver and a true pioneer in the development of sports car racing. His death is a reminder of the dangers of racing, but it also highlights his passion for the sport.
The date August 17, 1966, is a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing every moment. It is also a day to remember Ken Miles, a talented driver and a true legend of sports car racing.
Location
Riverside International Raceway, California holds a somber significance in the context of Ken Miles' untimely demise. It was at this very location, on August 17, 1966, that the legendary racing driver met his tragic end during a testing session for the Ford J-car.
- The Testing Grounds
Riverside International Raceway served as a proving ground for automotive innovation andpushing the boundaries of speed. Miles' presence there reflected his relentless pursuit of excellence and his willingness to confront the inherent risks associated with pushing machines to their limits. - The Fatal Crash
The circumstances surrounding Miles' fatal crash remain shrouded in uncertainty. However, the unforgiving nature of Riverside's high-speed turns and the experimental nature of the Ford J-car he was driving underscore the inherent dangers lurking within the sport of auto racing. - Legacy and Remembrance
The site of Miles' tragic accident has become a hallowed ground for enthusiasts, a place where his memory and contributions to the sport are honored. Riverside International Raceway continues to host major racing events, serving as a constant reminder of the sacrifices made by those who have dedicated their lives to pushing the limits of speed and innovation.
The connection between Riverside International Raceway, California, and Ken Miles' death serves as a somber reminder of the inherent risks involved in pushing the boundaries of automotive performance. It is a testament to Miles' unwavering passion for the sport and the enduring legacy he left behind in the world of auto racing.
Cause
The link between "Cause: Crash during testing" and "Ken Miles died" is a somber one, reflecting the inherent risks involved in pushing the boundaries of automotive performance. Miles' fatal crash during a testing session at Riverside International Raceway in California on August 17, 1966, underscores the ever-present danger lurking within the world of motorsports.
As a professional racing driver, Miles was no stranger to the risks associated with his chosen profession. Testing new and experimental vehicles is a crucial aspect of motorsport development, allowing engineers and drivers to evaluate performance, identify areas for improvement, and push the limits of technology. However, this pursuit of speed and innovation inevitably carries with it the potential for accidents and even fatalities.
Miles' death during testing serves as a stark reminder of the sacrifices made by those who dedicate their lives to the advancement of motorsports. Their relentless pursuit of speed and innovation has paved the way for countless technological advancements that have benefited the automotive industry as a whole. However, it is essential to remember the human cost associated with this progress and to honor the memory of those who have lost their lives in the pursuit of automotive excellence.
Age
The connection between "Age: 47" and "Ken Miles died" lies in the somber reality that Miles' life was tragically cut short at the relatively young age of 47. His untimely demise during a testing session at Riverside International Raceway in California on August 17, 1966, marked a profound loss for the world of motorsports.
While age is not necessarily a determining factor in racing accidents, it is worth noting that Miles' death occurred at a time when he was still at the peak of his career. His experience and skill had made him one of the most respected and successful drivers in the sport, and his contributions to the development of the Ford GT40 were instrumental in Ford's historic victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966.
Miles' death at the age of 47 serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the ever-present risks involved in pushing the boundaries of automotive performance. His legacy as a talented driver and a true pioneer in sports car racing continues to inspire generations of drivers and fans alike.
Legacy
The connection between "Legacy: Talented driver and pioneer in sports car racing" and "Ken Miles died" lies in the profound impact Miles made on the world of motorsports during his tragically shortened career. His exceptional talent behind the wheel, combined with his pioneering spirit and unwavering dedication to the sport, left an enduring legacy that continues to inspire generations of drivers and fans alike.
Miles' contributions to the development of the Ford GT40 were instrumental in Ford's historic victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966. His expertise and skill as a driver were matched by his relentless pursuit of innovation and his ability to push the boundaries of automotive performance. Miles' legacy as a talented driver and pioneer in sports car racing is a testament to his passion for the sport and his unwavering commitment to excellence.
While Miles' untimely death at the age of 47 cut short his promising career, his legacy continues to live on through the countless drivers and engineers who have been inspired by his achievements. His pioneering spirit and his dedication to pushing the limits of automotive technology have left an indelible mark on the world of motorsports, ensuring that Ken Miles will forever be remembered as one of the greatest drivers of all time.
Impact
The tragic death of Ken Miles on August 17, 1966, was a major loss to the racing world. Miles was one of the most talented and successful drivers of his time, and his death cut short a promising career. His legacy as a talented driver and a true pioneer in sports car racing continues to inspire generations of drivers and fans alike.
Miles' death had a profound impact on the racing world. He was a key member of the Ford team that developed and raced the Ford GT40, which famously defeated Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966. Miles' expertise and skill as a driver were instrumental in Ford's victory, and his death was a major blow to the team.
Beyond his racing accomplishments, Miles was also a respected and popular figure in the racing world. He was known for his friendly personality and his willingness to help others. His death was a personal loss to many in the racing community, and his legacy continues to be celebrated by fans around the world.
FAQs about Ken Miles' Death
Ken Miles' tragic death in 1966 was a major loss to the racing world. Here are some frequently asked questions about his death:
Question 1: What was the cause of Ken Miles' death?
Answer: Ken Miles died in a crash during a testing session at Riverside International Raceway in California on August 17, 1966. The exact cause of the crash is still unknown, but it is believed that a suspension failure may have been a factor.
Question 2: How old was Ken Miles when he died?
Answer: Ken Miles was 47 years old when he died.
Question 3: What was Ken Miles' legacy?
Answer: Ken Miles was a talented driver and a true pioneer in sports car racing. He was a key member of the Ford team that developed and raced the Ford GT40, which famously defeated Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966. Miles' death was a major loss to the racing world, and his legacy continues to inspire drivers and fans alike.
Question 4: What was the impact of Ken Miles' death?
Answer: Ken Miles' death was a major blow to the Ford team and to the racing world as a whole. He was a talented driver and a true pioneer in sports car racing. His death cut short a promising career and left a lasting void in the sport.
Question 5: Where is Ken Miles buried?
Answer: Ken Miles is buried in the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles, California.
Question 6: Is there a memorial to Ken Miles?
Answer: Yes, there is a memorial to Ken Miles at the Riverside International Raceway in California. The memorial is a bronze statue of Miles driving a Ford GT40.
Summary of key takeaways or final thought:
Ken Miles was a talented driver and a true pioneer in sports car racing. His death was a major loss to the racing world, and his legacy continues to inspire drivers and fans alike.
Transition to the next article section:
See also:
- Ken Miles Biography
- Ken Miles Racing Career
- Ken Miles Death
- Ken Miles Legacy
Conclusion
Ken Miles' death was a tragedy that cut short a promising career and left a lasting void in the world of motorsports. He was a talented driver and a true pioneer in sports car racing, and his legacy continues to inspire drivers and fans alike.
Miles' death is a reminder of the inherent risks involved in pushing the boundaries of automotive performance. However, it is also a testament to his passion for the sport and his unwavering commitment to excellence. His legacy will continue to inspire generations of drivers and engineers to push the limits of what is possible.
