Hill Tribute Number 4 for September 7
Sixty years ago this week, Phil Hill won the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, and the World Championship. Photo by Jim Sitz
This is the last of Jim Sitz’s recollections of Phil Hill as we celebrate his World Championship year with the victory at Monza on September 10th. We have also combined all four of Jim’s photo recollections we have previously published this summer, so scroll down to read them all. Our thanks to Jim and his incredible memory, photography, and never ending contributions to the history of motorsports.
Hill in thought at the Times Grand Prix, October 16, 1960. I have no idea what he was thinking, but probably the poor performance of the von Neumann Ferrari was foremost in his mind. It was not improved or quick enough to deal with the new Maserati Birdcage and a pair of Lotus 19s driven by Moss and Gurney.
Hill and Harold. There seems to be a little disagreement between the tense driver and patient mechanic, Mr. Harold Broughton. The mechanic got his start tuning Ferraris by repairing body work for damaged VWs arriving at von Neumann’s dealership in 1957. Eleanor von Neumann had just gotten the new Testa Rossa, fresh from the Goodwood Tourist Trophy, but Hill was having some trouble getting it up to speed and asked Harold to pump up the tires even more. So the sweet natured man (another life time friend till his death) got the portable compressor and fiddled around with the gauge, pretending to do just that. Phil went out and came back faster and satisfied!
With Cooper, Riverside GP, November 20, 1960. Hill had to drive a Cooper since Ferrari did not send any factory cars. He found a ride in a Cooper entered by Yeoman Credit Racing, teamed with Tony Brooks, Oliver Gendebien and Henry Taylor. Phil was not happy with the seat, and had the mechanics fabricate a new one before the race. Tony Robinson, chief mechanic, was not amused. That evening, I happened to be at the Yeoman garage, and heard Robinson refer to “…the new throne for his Majesty.” Phil finished 6th. Photo by Jim Sitz
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Hill Tribute Number 3 for August 2
This week, 60 years ago on August 6th, Phil was at the Nurburgring where he placed third, behind von Trips and Moss, who garnered one of his greatest victories that day. Still, during practice, Hill became the first man to lap under 9 minutes, coming in at 8 minutes 55.2 seconds for pole position. Sitz recalls that Phil came into pits, and all the press was making a big fuss. Then he just blurted out, ”Yea, did one lap without screwing up.” The race finished with von Trips with 33 points for the World Championship, Hill 29 and Moss 21. The Championship would be decided at Monza, September 10th.
