Page 91 - Decadence

legal system worked after a death on the circuit especially one involving the public as well. Clark knew the blame had to apportioned to somebody and the prosecutors had him clearly in their sights. Now the recriminations would start in earnest and the Italian of cials reacted with their usual blame and reprimands, impounding the cars of von Trips and Clark and of cialdom, enquires and legal procedures all following suite with even the pope getting into the fray.
To add further insult to Hills “overlooked champion” status, Ferrari saw no reason to send his team to Watkins Glen to race in the nal Grand Prix of the season as they had the title wrapped up. By missing this race Ferrari denied Hill the opportunity to race as world champion in front of his countrymen and would have made a lot more people aware of his amazing achievement.
Hill said of this, “I was really sick about that, for that day should have been the crowning glory of my career, the biggest day of my life.”
Hill is still the only American born driver ever to win the Formula One title, the most coveted in motorsport, von Trips is remembered as one of the 1960s most high pro le sporting fatalities. “A superstar, Nobleman cut down in his prime” Hill was asked wether he would quit, to which after a minute of thought replied, “When I love motor racing less, my own life will be worth more to me, and I will be less willing to risk it.”
Hill continued his career but was never the same passionate driver after 1961, he never won a Formula One race again and retired in 1967. He continued his passion for cars by founding an award winning classic car restoration business and working as a TV commentator for ABC. He also had a long connection with Road & Track magazine and was a distinguished judge for over forty years at the world renowned Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
Phil Hill passed away on the 28th August 2008, just after returning from the Monterey Historic races. To quote the von Trips family coat of arms and remembering these two exceptional drivers and their life story ... “In death there is life.”
“In Morte Vita“
“One was damned one was saved, a toss of a coin...God called it.”
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