Encyclopedia
DRIVERS: CARROLL SHELBY
Name: Carroll Shelby
Nationality: United States of America
Date of birth: January 11, 1923 - Leesburg, Texas
A tough Texan farmer, Shelby drove his first race in 1952 in a borrowed MG and won his class, beating the more powerful Jaguar XK120s as well. His sportscar career eventually took him to Europe and he then raced in a couple of Grands Prix with Scuderia Centro Sud. He made his name when he shared the winning Aston Martin DBR1 with Roy Salvadori at Le Mans in 1959. Shelby was also a key member of the Feltham team's Formula 1 squad for whom he finished eighth in the 1959 Portuguese Grand Prix on Lisbon's Monsanto Park circuit.
The creator of the legendary Shelby AC Cobras he later went into partnership with Dan Gurney to form All-American Racers AAR.