HILL, PHIL

born April 20, 1927, Miami byname of Philip Toll Hill first U.S. automobile race driver to win the world driving championship (1961). Hill began in racing as a mechanic for midget-car racing in the Santa Monica, Calif., area where he grew up. He won his first sports car competition in 1949 and became a Formula I car racer for Ferrari in 1956. He was a disciplined perfectionist in car preparation, and in study of the course. His world championship title came to him upon winning the 1961 Italian Grand Prix, in which his Ferrari teammate (and leader for the championship by four points) was killed. He also won the Le Mans 24-hour endurance race (1958, 1961-62) and the Sebring (Fla.) 12-hour race (1958-59, 1961). Hill won the 1964 Daytona 2,000 kilometres, the 1966 Nrburgring 1,000 kilometres, and the 1967 BOAC Six Hours at Brand Hatch. He then retired and became a partner in an antique car restoration business.