Phil Hill racing the Ferrari 156 F1 "shark-nose" at Monza 1961
“My father was someone who exemplified living life to the fullest in and around automobiles in what many consider the golden age of cars. He not only raced them and succeeded at the highest level of the sport, being the first American to with both the Formula One World Championship and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, he was an avid automobile enthusiast and car restorer."
- Derek Hill, Sherwood Phil Hill Invitational Co-founder
Phil Hill (April 20, 1927 – August 28, 2008) was the only American-born racing driver to win the Formula One World Drivers’ Championship (’61) and was America’s first 24 Hours of Le Mans champion, having won on three separate occasions (’58, ’61 and ’62).
Mirroring his racing career was his passion for classic and vintage automobiles exemplified by his third win at the Pebble Beach Road Races in 1955, accompanied by Best of Show at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance that very same year (he won with the first pre-war classic, starting a tradition that continues to this day).
Hill would go on to judge at Pebble Beach more then any other person and his influence on the event continues to this day through awards and scholarships in his name. Following his retirement, he built up a world-renowned award-winning classic car restoration business (Hill & Vaughn) and devoted his time to his family and vintage collection.