staff@slashgear.com (C. Gordon)
2024-05-07 09:15:59
www.slashgear.com
A win often evolves into a dynasty when it’s done repeatedly over the years, especially as competition is beginning to catch up to your innovations. The 1969 victory by Ford drivers Jacky Ickx and Jackie Oliver was not a likely one, as Ickx knew that other cars like the Porsche 908 were faster. It’s why numerous Porsches held the lead for most of the race. But a move on a tight bend propelled Ickx to a mere 100-yard victory, sealing off Ford’s four years of domination in what would be the last Le Mans they’d compete in for decades, not returning until 2016.
While 1964, 1966, and 1969 were key moments in the story of Ford’s racing legend, any of their other interim years at Le Mans can lay claim to equal greatness, and you wouldn’t go wrong choosing them instead. A perceived slight seemingly set off years of racing victories, and one can hopefully assume it all helped Henry Ford II get over it.