Phil Hill, World Champion. 60 years ago this week Phil entered the British Grand Prix for Ferrari. We celebrate his championship year. Photo of Phil Hill at the LA Times Grand Prix by Jim Sitz courtesy IMRRC.
Jim Sitz’s first tribute to Phil Hill, Jim Sitz Remembers Phil Hill was published on June 14 and received a great number of very complimentary comments. Jim’s recollections and insights illuminate a rarely seen side of the champion. This week, as we celebrate the British Grand Prix (held on July 15, 1961) of Hill’s championship year, Sitz recalls seeing Hill at Torrey Pines and Sebring, 1956 as both gain in stature in their respective careers.
During the 1961 Grand Prix season, Hill had placed 3rd at Monaco, 2nd at Zandvoort, 1st at Spa. At the British Grand Prix at Aintree, Hill placed 2nd to von Trips who drove a superb race. While Phil spun, teammate Ginther got by and then allowed Phil to pass into 2nd place and staying in the lead for the Championship by one point. The pressure was building, race by race.
Next installment will be on Tuesday, August 3, to coincide with the Grand Prix of Germany on August 6, 1961.
January 14, 1956. Phil and Paul Richard Ginther prepare the von Neumann Ferrari Mondial 0438MD for the six hour endurance run at Torrey Pines, located just outside of San Diego. Phil had won there in the summer of 1952 driving his own Ferrari 212. At left, note the new loaner Mercedes 220 provided to Hill by Max Hoffman, who was trying to create interest in the brand.
At Torrey Pines, Henry Pickett and friend David Sykes give a hand tuning the Mondial 500. Looks like Phil has lost something. The car had been owned by Porfirio Rubirosa, who ran it at Santa Barbara in 1954. It was then acquired by John von Neumann, who painted the original dark blue car Ferrari red and drove it to the next event.
Despite having a contract for the 1956 season with the Ferrari factory, Hill chose to run this Sebring with friend George Tilp of New Jersey. He began the season in Argentina with a works car finishing a fine 2nd to Stirling Moss and went on to win the Swedish round in August. His place in the Ferrari squad in Florida was taken by another American, Jim Kimberly, who partnered with de Portago in the works 857 Monza. I think that he chose to wave the U.S. flag in this round, much the way Cunningham had done when his cars won the 12 hour grind in past 3 years with U.S. drivers Phil Walters and John Fitch. The idea was that Phil and Tilp would then travel to Europe in their own car, doing very well in non-championship events and making other privateers jealous, thinking the American team was getting special attention from Modena.
“So, Sitz…You made it!”
Just a month before Sebring in 1956, I saw Phil at our local SCCA event at Palm Springs. It was cold and windy, and we shared a coffee behind the von Neumann transporter. He suddenly asked, “Are you going to Sebring?” I hesitated, but had to say that would be one expensive trip and my first one out of California. He gave me that rather annoyed look and said, “Sitz, you seriously wanna be a journalist or not?” Phil went on to inform me it would be the first time all the big teams would would enter, whereas before just Aston Martin or Lancia had done so. It was the best advice I ever received. I was just 17, finished with school and Phil’s urging gave me the confidence to take a plane to Florida. It paid off in promotion for myself, as I sent photos to several different magazines like Motor Italia, Motor Revue and a Swedish magazine.
I arrived in Sebring some days before the 12-hour grind, and found my way to the top of the pits to get an overall look of the action. I spotted Phil and shouted his name. He looked up at me and I snapped his smile with my new wonderful Hasselblad. “So, Sitz…you made it!” yelled Phil.
It seems to me that afterwards Phil decided I was no longer just a crazy teen age kid and my arrival in Europe the next season did not come as surprise, and my work became known to organizers of the Grand Prix events. Thanks Phil…
Jim’s view of the action in California and at Sebring are priceless. As are his photos. Such a wonderful time for a great racer and great photographer. I wish I’d had Jim’s nerve at 17.
I have the pleasure of communicating with Mr Sitz often via email. I look forward to his behind the scene commentary on the incredible individuals from the Golden Age.
I enjoyed Jim Sitz’ comments and insight about Phil Hill and those days of yore. Thank you Jim for taking the time to document important moments in time through your priceless photographs, and, especially for sharing details of your friendship with Phil Hill.
Jim, keep those photos and memories flowing! They make me feel as if I were there too. I wonder if any of you, including Phil, actually recognized that you were all making history in those early years of international sportscar racing! I look forward to many more installments Jim.
Thanks for the memories Jim, i wish i could have been there with you to enjoy those days.
“So, Sitz, you made it!” What a fabulous photo and one that captured Phil Hill’s youthful exuberance in such an intimate moment. Thank you, Jim!