Carroll Shelby, founder of the Carroll Shelby Foundation, Carroll Shelby Licensing Inc. and Shelby American Inc., wholly owned subsidiaries of Carroll Shelby International Inc., has been inducted into the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony took place at the SCCA’s Annual Meeting on March 2, at the South Point Hotel in Las Vegas. The award will reside with the Carroll Hall Shelby Trust and eventually the Carroll Shelby Foundation, established by the automotive legend in 1991 after his successful heart transplant.
“Carroll Shelby is an icon in the automotive performance industry,” said SCCA President and CEO Jeff Dahnert. “He impacted the SCCA as a competitor, as an automotive designer and builder, and his influence within the motorsports world elevated SCCA. We are very proud to have had him as a member of the SCCA and now as a member of the SCCA Hall of Fame.”
Shelby was involved with the SCCA for more than 50 years, and his impact on the club continues today. As a driver, he took home the SCCA National Championship in 1956. When Shelby turned professional, he won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1959 and competed in eight Formula One races before his career was cut short with a heart ailment.
Shelby’s involvement with the SCCA continued in the 1960s through his Cobra sports car and then his efforts turned the Ford GT40 into a winner that defeated Ferrari. Shelby also is known as the man who turned America’s “secretary car” into a pony car. In 49 SCCA National Championship Runoffs, 35 drivers have won in a Mustang or Shelby Cobra.
“Carroll Shelby’s racing fame began with his domination of SCCA, winning a national championship as a driver during the 1950s,” said SCCA President Dahnert. “Later as an auto manufacturer, his cars regularly won SCCA championships during the 1960s. And with the launch of the current generation of cars a few years ago, Shelbys are once again topping SCCA podiums.”
Fellow legends John “Skip” Barber, Bill Noble, Bobby Rahal and Andy Porterfield accompanied Carroll Shelby into the SCCA Hall of Fame. The Hall was created to pay tribute to those members that made a significant impact on the development of the SCCA throughout history. With only five inductees this year, initiation into the sacred Hall of Fame is one of the highest honors given in the world of automotive racing, according to the organization.
“Although Carroll passed away last May, his memory and legacy live on today through his Trust and the Carroll Shelby Foundation,” said Neil Cummings, co-trustee of the Shelby Trust and Foundation board member. “The Foundation is dedicated to helping young people build a better life, and Shelby American and Carroll Shelby Licensing honor his memory by continuing to build exciting cars and create licensing programs that celebrate his ideals.”
Shelby American manufactures and markets performance vehicles and related products. The company builds authentic continuation Cobras, including the 427 S/C, 289 FIA and 289 street car component vehicles. Shelby American offers the Shelby 1000, GT350, GT500 Super Snake and GTS post-title packages for the current generation Ford Mustang, as well as the 2013 Shelby Focus ST.
Automotive manufacturer and entrepreneur Carroll Shelby was one of the most famous and successful high-performance visionaries in the world. He was also a pioneer for modern automotive licensing programs. Beginning in the 1960s, he started licensing his name and designs for various products. He founded Carroll Shelby Licensing Inc. (CSL), which is the exclusive holder of trademarks and vehicle design rights for some of the most famous muscle cars and high-performance vehicles. CSL also holds trademark rights for Shelby-branded apparel, accessories and collectibles.
To learn more about the Carroll Shelby Foundation, make a donation or order an item with the exclusive commemorative signature, visit www.carrollshelbyfoundation.org.