Today is the 80th anniversary of the birth of Graham Hill (February 15, 1929 – November 29, 1975), a two time Formula 1 World Champion and the only man to win the Triple Crown of Motorsport. He drove for Team Lotus for three seasons including the 1968 season where he pulled the team around him to win the championship after the untimely death of Jim Clark. He was also the father of the 1996 F1 World Champion Damon Hill.
His notable victories include:
Formula 1 World Champion (1962, 1968)
Indianapolis 500 (1966)
24 Hours of Le Mans (1972)
5 wins at the Monaco Grand Prix (1963, 1964, 1965, 1968, 1969)
BRDC International Trophy (1962, 1971)
[thanks to ms355 on LotusTalk for the video pointer]
And let’s not forget G Hill referred to his plane as “Hilarious Airways” and a movie star in “Grand Prix”, where he stared down the Eva Marie Saint’s dress!