The concept of the annual Road Racing Drivers Club dinner in Long Beach was expanded this year to recognize the 50th anniversary of the Ford Motor Company’s all-American triumph in the 1967 24 Hours of Le Mans with drivers Dan Gurney and A. J. Foyt, in addition to the regularly scheduled honoring of Emerson Fittipaldi (see separate story).
Foyt, Gurney and their victorious Ford MkIV were available to the assembled crowd during the cocktail hour in one of the Long Beach Hilton’s courtyards prior to the dinner, and then took the stage inside to discuss their historic win. During that discussion, Edsel B. Ford II joined them to present Foyt with the Spirit of Ford Award, Ford’s highest honor in auto racing, that recognizes lifetime achievement and contribution to the industry both on and off the racetrack. Foyt is the 26th recipient, Gurney having been so honored in 1999.
“It’s a great honor and Ford has always been good to me,” said the 82-year-old Foyt in accepting the award. “After 50 years, who would have thought that Gurney and I would be around to be honored? It means an awful lot. It’s a big honor for Ford to do this for us.”
