Ken Miles
Ken Miles entered the West Coast racing scene in the 1950s as a driver and fabricator – this was before the formation of SCCA’s Cal Club Region. Although he drove and won many races in Shelby Mustangs and Cobras, his big wins in the 1966 Sebring 12 Hour and the 24 Hour race in Daytona in a Shelby GT40 was the lead into the 24 Hour Le Mans race that solidified his name in sports car history. Carroll Shelby recognized his value to the sport and employed him to promote the Shelby brand and, ultimately, SCCA.
Those racing exploits were portrayed in the 2019 motion picture “Ford v Ferrari,” bringing his exploits to life for those unfamiliar with his racing success.
California played a key role in America’s car culture, and while various types of racing was part of that, road racing’s presence was minimal. People like Miles attracted enthusiasts from the traditional hot rodding and drag racing culture in the 1950s.
Miles was outspoken and brash about the sport, and through his exploits, he became one of the main attractions in Southern California road racing. With this following, he became a cult hero in the sport which later helped make the California Sports Car Club (called Cal Club Region once it joined SCCA) a road racing powerhouse.
Miles was elected three times as president of the California Sports Car Club and had a very important influence in the California road racing scene as an administrator and organizer. Prior to California Sports Car Club becoming an SCCA Region, the SCCA had a reputation of being somewhat exclusive. Miles, meanwhile, was all about inclusion, welcoming drivers from other organizations and encouraging new drivers to participate, even assisting Dan Gurney in getting his start in racing.
One of the stipulations in Cal Club’s ascendance was that the SCCA adopt Cal Club’s car preparation rules. It was a game-changer, opening the door of what had been a gentleman’s sport to a plethora of after-market suppliers, car preparation specialists, and engine builders.
Miles’s voice and influence continued unchecked as he became a multiple year Board member of Cal Club Region. As a well-known driver, his reputation helped to bring his followers under the SCCA umbrella, establishing Cal Club as the racing organization for those who were interested in road racing as a spectator, sponsor, or driver.
Miles set speed records at Bonneville, raced in Nassau Speed Weeks races, and Le Mans. He raced his own designed and built cars as well as Porsches, MGs, and more, but when he began racing Shelby’s Mustangs and Cobras, his fame escalated. Through his partnership with Shelby, driving and designing Ford products and the successful Ford GT40s, Miles brought attention to SCCA and road racing across the country. At Daytona, at Sebring, and certainly at Le Mans, he was recognized by his peers as a great driver, designer, and fabricator.
Unfortunately, shortly after the Le Mans race in 1966, while testing the “J” car, which was to be the successor to the GT40, Miles was killed during a testing accident. In 2001, in recognition of his exceptional contributions to the sport, he was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame.
Ken Miles was inducted into the SCCA Hall of Fame on Jan. 17, 2025.