Is Ken Miles the best racer of all time?

No. Ken Miles is celebrated as an exceptional test driver and a top-tier endurance racer whose development work was pivotal to Ford’s GT40 program, but most historians do not rank him as the greatest racer ever. By competitive record, all-time status typically goes to drivers with sustained dominance and titles—figures such as Lewis Hamilton, Michael Schumacher, Juan Manuel Fangio, or endurance legends like Tom Kristensen—while Miles’ career, tragically cut short in 1966, featured fewer top-level victories despite immense influence.

Who was Ken Miles?

Ken Miles (1918–1966) was a British-born, American-based racer and engineer whose career bridged European club racing and the booming U.S. sports-car scene after World War II. After emigrating to California in the early 1950s, he became a formidable driver in SCCA events, an innovative builder of lightweight specials, and eventually the development linchpin at Carroll Shelby’s operation. With Shelby American, Miles helped turn the Cobra and, critically, the Ford GT40 into race winners. He died in a testing accident at Riverside on August 17, 1966.

Career highlights and what made Miles special

While not the most decorated by raw numbers, Miles’ career stands out for the combination of racecraft and mechanical insight. He was instrumental in making the GT40 Mk II reliable and fast enough to conquer endurance racing’s biggest stage.

• 1966 endurance sweep near-miss: Won the 24 Hours of Daytona (with Lloyd Ruby) and the 12 Hours of Sebring (with Lloyd Ruby) and led at the 24 Hours of Le Mans before the staged finish handed the official victory to Bruce McLaren/Chris Amon after a distance-based tie-break.
• Development driver extraordinaire: Central to refining the GT40 Mk II’s durability, drivability, and pit-stop efficiency, and a key contributor to Shelby’s Cobra and Daytona Coupe programs.
• 1950s U.S. sports-car success: Numerous SCCA wins and regional titles in MG- and Porsche-based specials, building a reputation for precision driving and mechanical ingenuity.
• Respected by peers: Valued by engineers and team leaders for feedback that translated directly into lap time and reliability over 12- and 24-hour races.

Taken together, these achievements place Miles among the most influential sports-car figures of his era, especially in the U.S., even if the ultimate headline—an official Le Mans victory—eluded him.

What does “best of all time” mean in racing?

Greatness in motorsport is measured across multiple dimensions—sustained results, peak dominance, adaptability, technical feedback, and cultural impact. Evaluating any driver against the “all-time best” bar means looking beyond single seasons to wide-ranging benchmarks.

• Championships and wins: Titles, victory totals, and win rates in premier series.
• Quality of competition and era: Strength of rivals, technological context, and safety conditions.
• Versatility: Success across disciplines (single-seaters, endurance, stock cars, rally).
• Longevity and evolution: Ability to win over many years and rule changes.
• Technical contribution: Development feedback that changes outcomes for teams and manufacturers.
• Legacy: Influence on the sport’s culture, technology, and future generations.

By these criteria, “best ever” typically favors drivers with dominant records at the highest level over long periods—though technical impact and versatility can elevate legacies significantly.

How experts usually rank the all-timers—across disciplines

Because “best of all time” spans different racing codes, expert shortlists often pull from multiple categories, pairing dominance with longevity and breadth.

• Formula 1: Juan Manuel Fangio (5 titles, 1950s dominance), Ayrton Senna (3 titles, qualifying genius and wet-weather mastery), Michael Schumacher (7 titles, redefined fitness and development), Lewis Hamilton (7 titles, all-time records for wins and poles).
• Endurance/Sports cars: Tom Kristensen (record 9 Le Mans wins), Jacky Ickx (6 Le Mans wins, versatility across F1 and endurance), Derek Bell (5 Le Mans wins), Hurley Haywood (3 Le Mans, IMSA legend).
• NASCAR: Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt, and Jimmie Johnson (7 Cup titles each); Jeff Gordon (93 wins, era-defining speed and consistency).
• Rally: Sébastien Loeb (9 WRC titles), Sébastien Ogier (8 WRC titles), both dominant across changing regulations and surfaces.
• Motorcycles (for broader “racer” context): Giacomo Agostini (15 world titles), Valentino Rossi (9 world titles, global cultural reach).

These names reflect sustained, measurable supremacy at the pinnacle of their fields, often across rule changes and competitive cycles—criteria that underpin most expert “GOAT” conversations.

Where Ken Miles fits in

Measured strictly by results, Miles does not sit atop all-time lists: he lacked the long run of titles and wins seen in F1, NASCAR, WRC, or at Le Mans. Yet, within the realm of development-focused endurance racing, he ranks exceptionally high. His 1966 campaign—Daytona and Sebring wins and a Le Mans near-miss—is one of the sport’s great “what-ifs,” and his engineering feedback materially changed the outcome of Ford’s transatlantic duel with Ferrari.

Counterarguments and cultural impact

Supporters argue Miles’ blend of speed and engineering savvy made him uniquely valuable, contributing to victories beyond his own cockpit and elevating entire programs. The 2019 film “Ford v Ferrari” revived mainstream attention to his legacy and highlighted the controversial 1966 Le Mans finish, which denied him an unprecedented Daytona–Sebring–Le Mans sweep in a single year. While the film dramatizes events, the core injustice—and Miles’ stature inside the paddock—are well documented.

Verdict

Ken Miles is not broadly regarded as the best racer of all time when judged by championships and major-event victories. However, he stands as one of motorsport’s most important development drivers and a first-rank endurance competitor of the 1960s. His legacy rests on transformative technical influence, landmark 1966 performances, and a reputation for extracting speed and reliability where it most mattered—over hours, not laps.

Summary

Ken Miles was an elite endurance racer and arguably one of the greatest development drivers in motorsport history. While his statistical record falls short of all-time leaders like Hamilton, Schumacher, Fangio, or Kristensen, his impact on the GT40 program and the 1966 season cemented a legacy that transcends pure numbers. Best ever? By results, no. By influence per race and per test day, he is near the top of the sport’s most consequential figures.

Who is the greatest racer of all time?

There isn’t one definitive “greatest racer of all time,” as the title is subjective and depends on the criteria used (e.g., wins, championships, talent, era) and the specific racing discipline. However, Ayrton Senna is frequently cited for his unmatched skill and passion in Formula 1, while drivers like Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher lead in F1 wins. For NASCAR, Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt Sr. are considered legends for their respective championships and iconic performances.
 
Key Drivers to Consider

• Ayrton Senna (Formula 1): Opens in new tabA three-time World Champion known for his natural talent, aggression, and iconic performances, particularly in wet conditions. 
• Lewis Hamilton (Formula 1): Opens in new tabHolds the record for the most Formula 1 wins and is often mentioned in discussions about the greatest ever. 
• Michael Schumacher (Formula 1): Opens in new tabAnother top contender with a vast number of wins and multiple championships, considered a legend in F1 history. 
• Richard Petty (NASCAR): Opens in new tabNicknamed “The King,” he is famous for his record 200 NASCAR Cup Series wins. 
• Dale Earnhardt Sr. (NASCAR): Opens in new tabKnown as “The Intimidator” for his aggressive style and a seven-time NASCAR champion. 
• Juan Manuel Fangio (Formula 1): Opens in new tabAn early F1 pioneer who held the record for the most championships for decades with five titles. 

Why It’s Debated

• Different Disciplines: There’s no single crossover of “best” between different types of racing, such as F1, NASCAR, or rally. 
• Era and Equipment: Drivers in different eras competed with different technology and under different rules, making direct comparisons difficult. 
• Subjectivity: “Greatness” can be defined by statistics (wins, championships), driving skill, charisma, or impact on the sport, leading to different conclusions. 

Was Ken Miles a genius?

Ken Miles was a legendary figure in the world of motorsports, known not only for his mechanical genius but also for his indomitable spirit behind the wheel. His contributions to the racing industry were profound, and his impact is still felt today.

Is Ken Miles the best driver ever?

No, Ken Miles is not definitively the “best driver ever,” but he is widely considered one of the greatest and most influential drivers of his era, known for his exceptional skill, engineering prowess, and fierce determination. While he achieved numerous victories and contributed significantly to Ford’s success in sports car racing, his career was tragically cut short, and “best ever” is a subjective distinction that is difficult to assign in motorsports.
 
Arguments for Ken Miles being one of the greats

• Dominant Driver & Engineer: Miles was a gifted driver and an innovative engineer who co-developed the iconic Ford GT40. 
• Record of Success: He secured significant wins, including the 1961 USAC Road Racing Championship and multiple victories at Sebring and Daytona. 
• Key Role at Le Mans: He was pivotal in Ford’s rivalry with Ferrari, culminating in the controversial 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans, a pivotal moment for American racing. 
• Motorsports Hall of Fame Induction: He was posthumously inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America, recognizing his profound impact on the sport. 
• Influence and Legacy: His achievements and unique blend of driving talent and mechanical genius left a lasting legacy, particularly with the legendary GT40. 

You can watch this video to learn more about Ken Miles’ career and impact: 59sChrispy DriverYouTube · Jan 31, 2025
Why he might not be considered the absolute best

• Subjectivity of “Best”: The title of “best driver ever” is subjective and depends on various criteria and personal opinions. 
• Shortened Career: His life and career were cut short at age 48, potentially preventing him from achieving even more. 
• Controversy at Le Mans: The disputed 1966 Le Mans finish, where he was denied a perceived victory, adds a layer of controversy to his career, though many view it as a win. 

Did Enzo Ferrari respect Ken Miles?

An understated moment when Enzo Ferrari acknowledges Ken Miles’ exceptional skill and sportsmanship. Despite the corporate politics that ultimately cost him the victory, Ferrari’s respect underscores the true spirit of racing beyond business rivalries.