Circuit de la Sarthe

Bruce and Chris were making their way to the car.  They enjoyed the walk to the track.  The smell of exhaust, burnt gas, and sticky rubber filled the air as if an aphrodisiac, making them half smile.  It helped shake off the pressure and nerves.  This was their chance.  They had the best car they ever had and the best crew in the United States.  This was the year to knock the Ferraris off the podium.  The Ferraris finished first, second, and third the last three years and with their overwhelming dislike of Mr. Ford's attempt to purchase Ferrari, they aimed to take out the hot rod Americans. 

Henry Ford II wanted to race Le Mans but more importantly, he wanted to win.  He wanted to win so bad he actually tried to purchase Ferrari but Enzo was not interested.  Mr. Ford returned to the states and redeveloped the Ford GT40, making it lighter and faster.  He hired the best mechanics, developers, and race crew.  He was a determined man and if you didn't share that vision then you were no longer employed by Mr. Ford.  

Bruce climbed in the car and started it.  The roar of the seven liter V-8 made his head ring and feet tingle.  This happened every time he hit that start button.  The race of his lifetime was about to begin.  Life began at 200 miles per hour for Bruce Leslie McLaren.  He reflected back to his parent's little service station back in Auckland, New Zealand.  He and his father would restore and race old Austin Healeys and Coopers.  His love for the track and cars had brought him to this point. 

"Come on baby," he said as he rubbed the lapel pin Mr. Ford has given to him and his crew. 

It read "FORD WINS LE MANS IN '66".  Mr. Ford had these made after Enzo Ferrari kicked him out of their plant when Ford tried to purchase the motor car power house a year before.  Revenge can be a powerful force when coupled with pure determination and desire to be the best.

Mr. Shelby, who's company sponsored the Ford GT40, walked up to the car and leaned over.  "You better play it safe out there, son."

"Yes, Sir." Bruce nodded his head.

"Remember, I said play it safe...I didn't say play it slow."  He patted the young driver on head.  "Tear the asphalt off the track son.  I believe in you."

"Thank you Mr. Shelby."

He nodded his head, "You can call me Carrol if you put this Ford on the highest part of that podium."

"Wooooooooooweeeeee!" screamed Bruce.  His blood was pumping now.  He could feel his hands melting into the steering wheel.  His body molded to the seat and his feet one with the pedals.  He began to hum Paint it Black by the Rolling Stones.  His heart was in sync with the engine.  Each rotation of the pistons caused his blood to pump a bit faster.  

He could hear the high winding single over head cammed V-12 of the Ferrari P3s and the 275 GTBs. The 906 Porsches the Germans brought to the race always performed highly at the Circuit de la Sarthe.

Anticipation was killing him and finally the flag dropped and he was off.  A few paint swapping hits later he was the first into the turn and he was feeling it.  He came around the sharp turn at Tertre Rouge and kept his foot in it.  By the time he stole a peek at the speedometer he was already over 200 mph.  Life began. 

While the Americans and Russians we're in a race to reach the moon, Ford and Ferrari were in a race to take the place as the premier automobile manufacturer with the most horsepower, durability, and dependability.  Bruce and his race partner Chris Amos would make history.  They didn't land on the moon, pull the troops from Vietnam, or build the Houston Astrodome.  They were simple.  They went faster and longer than everyone else on June 19, 1966. 

By the time the race ended at four o'clock the next day the Ford GT40s had amassed a 1-2-3 victory for the Ford teams.  American muscle had prevailed.  The foreign race cars tucked their tail and ran for cover not just this year but for the next three years.  The muscle of the Ford GT40 managed four wins in a row and lead the way for other American muscle cars to try their hands at the Le Mans.  The Chevy Corvette entered the race a few years later.  American muscle made it's presence known that day.  The world heard the Ford GT40 roar.  And they liked it.