The official name of the race is the "Grand Prix d'Endurance des 24 Heures du Mans." It is regarded by a large portion of the world as the most important motor race of all time. Since its beginning in 1906, car manufacturers from all industrial nations have made colossal efforts to win this race. By far the greatest of all the efforts to win Le Mans, however, was the historic attempt by the Ford Motor Company in the mid-1960s. Not since D-Day at Normandy had France seen such an invasion. And the world of motor racing is not likely to see such an extravagance ever again. Ford was not hesitant to seek outside help, either. Carroll Shelby's prominent part in this dramatic event generated reams of press coverage and justifies his place in history. John Holman's contribution to the victory was less touted and is in jeopardy of being forgotten. Before 1955, Fords had dominated NASCAR racing. Then Chevrolets, with new V8 engines, started winning. Ford Motor Company asked John Holman to move to Charlotte, North Carolina, and make Fords competitive again. Holman succeeded and sales of Ford cars rebounded, even threatening Chevy's longstanding sales lead.

To head off the threat to Chevy sales, General Motors president Harlow Curtis introduced a surprise motion at a routine meeting of the Automobile Manufacturers Association (AMA). Curtis moved that the AMA stop all support of racing and cease advertising speed and horsepower. The motion passed.

John Holman was left with a garage full of race cars belonging to Ford which no longer had any use for the company. Holman knew racing would continue without Detroit factory support, so he and stock car racing driver Ralph Moody pooled their money and bought everything from Ford at a bargain price.

That was the start of Holman Moody Racing.

Read more in the Back Issue - Volume 43 Number 2