Arnie Cane flags off the main event on November 23, 1958 at Pomona. John von Neumann’s step-daughter, Josie, is in the 250TR Ferrari (#112), Ken Miles (center) is in the Otto Zipper 1600RS Porsche Spyder, with Richie Ginther in Jack Nethercutt’s 550TRC Ferrari on the right. Ken won going away with Richie 2nd. Photo: Lester Nehamkin from the Arnie Cane Collection
Fabulous Fifties

Remembering Richie

Like many other sports during WWII, automobile racing experienced a hiatus. Soon thereafter, however, competition resumed. The Formula One World Championship series was initiated in 1950 and became the ultimate goal for both drivers and constructors.

At the same time, Southern California became a hotbed of the car craze. Road racing developed as well as U.S.-style oval-track. A few local drivers went on to challenge the world’s best, among them Phil Hill and Dan Gurney, both of whom became famous. Another much less known driver joined them, Richie Ginther. Richie is now remembered, perhaps, only by those of us who were there then, but like Hill and Gurney, he had world-class talent.

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