What is ken miles?

Ken Miles

Ken Miles (1918-1966) was a British-born racing driver and engineer known for his contributions to the American racing scene, particularly his involvement with the Ford%20GT40 program.

• Early Life and Career: Born in Sutton Coldfield, England, Miles served as a mechanic in the British Army during World War II. After the war, he began racing motorcycles and cars, showing considerable talent. He eventually emigrated to the United States.

• American Racing: In the U.S., Miles became a prominent figure in sports car racing, particularly with Porsche and Shelby American. He was known for his exceptional car control, mechanical aptitude, and blunt honesty.

• Shelby American: Miles's collaboration with Carroll%20Shelby was crucial to the success of Shelby American. He played a key role in the development and racing of the Shelby%20Cobra and the Ford%20GT40.

• Ford GT40 and Le Mans: Miles was instrumental in the development of the GT40, helping to turn it into a formidable racing machine. He famously led the 24%20Hours%20of%20Le%20Mans in 1966 but was denied the victory in controversial circumstances when Ford executives opted for a staged photo finish.

• Death: Tragically, Ken Miles died in a testing accident at Riverside International Raceway in August 1966, while developing the Ford%20J-car (a prototype of the Ford GT40 Mk IV).

• Legacy: Despite his untimely death, Ken Miles is remembered as a legendary figure in motorsports, a brilliant driver and engineer whose contributions were vital to Ford's success in the 1960s. He was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2001. The 2019 film Ford v Ferrari (released as Le Mans '66 in some regions) brought his story to a wider audience.