Shelby American Factory Team

LE MANS TEST 1966

Ford GT40 MkII P/1012 — Official Le Mans Development Trial

April 1966

The presence of the two Ford GT40s P/1012 and P/1011 at the test sessions at Le Mans in 1966 was a crucial stage in the stated aim of winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Following the failures of 1964 and 1965, Ford could not afford another setback. This was therefore the last chance to fine-tune the Ford GT40 MKII on the very circuit where the 24 Hours race takes place.

Drivers: Ken Miles & Phil Hill | Configuration: MkII 7.0L FE V8

The Le Mans Test Days

Whilst the P/1011 was out on an endurance test on Saturday, Ken Miles, at the wheel of the P/1012, was tasked with validating the final aerodynamic set-up, testing the reinforced brakes and finalising the mechanical set-up. Unfortunately, Saturday’s wet session went badly. Walt Hansgen, at the wheel of the P/1011, continued to push hard despite numerous warnings from his pit crew to slow down in the rain, and went off at the Dunlop bend. Sadly, he died a few days later. Meanwhile, Ken Miles missed his braking point at the Indianapolis bend and got the P/1012 stuck in the sand. The car was undamaged, but the oil pump belt had snapped. Driving the number 2 car, Ken Miles set the 2nd fastest time overall behind the new Ford J, which foreshadowed the future car for Le Mans ’67 (the famous MKIV). On Sunday afternoon, Graham Hill, Jackie Stewart and Lucien Bianchi took turns at the wheel to get to grips with the car

The Technical Strategy

Chassis P/1012 resting in a sandbank following an off-track excursion during the intensive April 1966 Le Mans test session.

The main aim of these tests was to gather concrete data on aerodynamic balance at high speeds. The engineers used the car to test different rear wing heights and experimental brake duct designs, which enabled them to finalise the specifications for all eight GT40 MKIIs for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Sprinting Through the Rain

A decisive weekend of testing, marked by changeable track conditions, sudden downpours and high-speed runs.

The test sessions enabled the development team to make immediate progress. Crucial feedback from the tests of the GT40 P/1012 driven by Ken Miles allowed the engineers to stabilise front-end grip at speeds in excess of 200 mph!

During testing of the GT40 MkII P/1012 at Le Mans in April 1966, efforts were mainly focused on high-speed stability. The data collected during the lap tests showed that the new rear wing settings significantly stabilised the car during sudden braking at the end of long straights, without compromising top speed.

The Testing Verdict

Finalisation of the set-up for Le Mans

The success of the April test sessions demonstrated a flawless technical approach, confirming the car’s exceptional speed.

These intensive test sessions yielded a very positive result for the works programme, with the car setting the second-fastest lap time behind the Ford J prototype but ahead of all other competitors, including Ferrari.

PERIOD PHOTOGRAPHS

The performance on the french circuit wasn’t merely a tactical success; it was a historic turning point where rigorous factory development and brut american power merge to redifine endurance racing boundaries

Archival Testing Log

"The detailed practice logs, timing metrics, and specific configuration records compiled under Car Number 2 during the April 1966 test days constitute an unshakeable pillar of truth, cleanly defining this chassis' role in the factory campaign."

— Historical Registry Audit & Documentation Profile

The test program was a complete success, with no chassis faults detected during the final tests.

The vehicle demonstrated absolute reliability throughout the hundreds of miles covered at high speed during development, thereby providing essential monitoring data which served as the technical basis for subsequent international campaigns.