A major feature of the Le Mans 24 Hour endurance race during the 1960s was the opportunity to witness some of the best drivers of the era behind the wheel of a sports car. It was a time when grand prix drivers were permitted to race in virtually any category they wished and many were happy to have the opportunity to showcase their natural talent in any automobile.
The photograph above shows a group of such drivers, including two Formula 1 world champions, during practice for the 1965 Le Mans sports car classic, relaxing in each other’s company. On the left is the American driver Phil Hill who won the F1 title in 1961 and was due to race a Shelby American-entered Ford GT40. In the centre in the dark green race suit is Jackie Stewart, in conversation with a Shelby American crew member, who was co-driving with Graham Hill in the prototype gas-turbine powered Rover-BRM. To his right in the photo is Jack Sears who was driving a Shelby American Daytona Cobra Coupe in the GT category and with his back to the camera is Sir John Whitmore, another member of the GT40 entourage. Just visible in the foreground is GT/109, the open GT40 roadster driven by Maurice Trintignant. At the end of the 24 hours, Sears finished eighth overall with the Rover-BRM in tenth while the GT40s were side-lined due to a variety of mechanical problems.
