In what has been called "the race of the century", Dan Gurney and AJ Foyt won for Ford against Ferrari. Together in La Sarthe in the spring of 1967, both drivers also wrote one of the most fabulous pages in the history of motorsport.

When they drove Ford to victory at the the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the pair also had personal motivation to win for America against Ferrari. Neither made any secret of their devotion to their home country. Expatriate in Europe for his racing career, Dan Gurney had fought in the Korean War in the early 1950's, and in 1966 when he decided to become a manufacturer, he chose the name Eagle, referring to the bald eagle, the emblem of the United States. A Texan and proud of it, AJ Foyt has, in contrast, rarely raced outside his country, with the notable exception of the 24 Hours in 1967. He was also a manufacturer; his cars named Coyote, another characteristic creature of North America.

1967, was rich in historic milestons for the two drivers. A mere fifteen days after winning his third Indianapolis 500, AJ Foyt became the only driver to have won the American classic and the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the same year. One week after his appointment in La Sarthe, Dan Gurney and his Eagle won the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps, becoming the only American winner in Formula 1 driving his own car. And together, on the 11th of June 1967, they were the first winners of the 24 Hours to surpass the 5,000 kilometers distance mark. An exceptional crop for the two American legends.

Click here to find out more on the 24 Hours of Le Mans 1967.

The 90th anniversary 24 Hours of Le Mans is on the 22nd and 23rd June.  Click HERE for ticket information.
Entry List HERE.

Jean-Philippe Doret

Photo : CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES (LE MANS, SARTHE), 24 HOURS OF LE MANS, 10th and 11th JUNE 1967. In the space of less than 3 weeks, AJ Foyt and Dan Gurney made history both together and separately across the world : Le Mans (driving the Ford Mk IV), Indianapolis and Spa-Francorchamps.