 |
Richie GintherAmerican racing driver
Date of Birth: 05.08.1930
Country:  France |
Content:
Biography of Richie Ginther
Richie Ginther was an American racing driver who gained fame for his performances in West Coast Racing and later joined Luigi Chinetti's team. He started his career as an auto and aviation mechanic, but his passion for racing led him to participate in the Carrera Panamericana race in 1949, driving a Ferrari alongside his partner, future Formula One champion Phil Hill. Although they were involved in an accident, the same team finished second in the race the following year.
In 1951, Ginther acquired a MG car and later joined Johnny von Neumann, the Ferrari importer in the USA, where he had the opportunity to participate in numerous races between 1951 and 1956. He then joined Luigi Chinetti's team and achieved notable success, including a second-place finish in the 1000 km Buenos Aires race alongside Wolfgang von Trips in 1957.
Formula One Career
Following his success, Ginther signed a contract with Scuderia Ferrari for four races and moved to Italy with his wife. Although he did not achieve much success in sports car racing, Ginther excelled in single-seater races. He finished second in the 1960 Formula Two Grand Prix of Modena and achieved four podium finishes in Formula One, including two sixth-place finishes in Monaco and the Netherlands, and a second-place finish in Italy.
Recognizing his talent, Ferrari promoted Ginther to the main driver position in 1961. In that season, he achieved three podium finishes and finished fifth overall in the Formula One championship. After a successful year, Ginther joined BRM and became Graham Hill's teammate. They had three successful seasons together, with Hill winning the championship in 1962. Ginther's most successful season was in 1963, where he finished third in the overall standings and achieved five podium finishes.
In 1965, Ginther joined the newly formed Honda Formula One team as an experienced driver. Although the season was plagued by technical issues, he managed to win the final race in Mexico, marking the end of the 1.5-liter Formula One era. Ginther continued to compete in Formula One in 1966, driving for Cooper and Honda, but his results were less impressive, finishing 11th overall with five points.
In 1967, Ginther joined Anglo-American Racing (Eagle chassis) alongside Dan Gurney after Honda signed John Surtees. However, his career took a downturn when he failed to qualify for the Monaco Grand Prix. Realizing it was time to retire, Ginther transitioned into a role as a team manager before ultimately leaving the sport in 1971.
Later Years and Legacy
In 1977, Ginther made a comeback to racing as he was invited to the Hockenheim circuit in Germany, where he won the German Grand Prix for Goodyear, marking the company's 100th victory. He then became involved in the presentation of Goodyear tires in various events.
Tragically, Ginther passed away from a heart attack in Bordeaux just a few days after attending the 40th-anniversary celebration of the BRM team in Donington in 1989. He left behind a legacy as a talented and respected racing driver, remembered for his achievements in Formula One and his contributions to the sport.
