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Legendary Star Driver Honored at Pebble Beach Concours

August 23, 2006

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY ÒWhen legendary Race Car Driver John Fitch was honored this past week by Mercedes-Benz as a ÏStar DriverÓ at the Pebble Beach Concours dÌElegance in Monterey, California, FitchÌs amazing1955 Mille Miglia winning #417 300SL Gullwing was whisked away to the West Coast from the Saratoga Automobile Museum. After being honored, John Ïput the pedal to the metalÓ in a victory lap at what is considered the most prestigious automobile concours in the world. The car should return to its temporary home this next week where the exhibit, ÏJohn Fitch Ò An American Racing HeroÓ celebrates the life and legacy of the Lakeville, Connecticut racer.

Mercedes- BenzÌ honor pays tribute to distinguished Mercedes-Benz race drivers and recognizes their unique contributions to great moments in motorsports, and Fitch, the only American to have raced on the Mercedes-Benz Team, becomes the second driver to earn the Star Driver designation; Sir Stirling Moss was the first recipient in 2005. Fitch and Moss were on the 1955 Mercedes-Benz Team along with other racing legends Juan Manuel Fangio and Karl Kling. The team took wins in Formula One, Sports Racing, production GT sports cars and all classes including even diesel passenger cars, all in a single year.

Fighter Pilot, Racing Legend, Road Safety Pioneer
A P-51 fighter pilot in World War II, Fitch focused on cars after the war and became the first Sports Car Club of America National Champion. In addition to driving for Mercedes, Fitch also drove for the Briggs Cunningham team, with victories in the Mille Miglia, Tourist Trophy and Sebring. He drove six times in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, finishing as high as third.

It was the tragedy at Le Mans in 1955 Ò which killed a number of spectators and FitchÌs co-driver, Pierre Levegh Ò that inspired Fitch to design energy-absorbing safety barriers for racetracks. Fitch also turned to public road safety, and his invention, the Fitch Barrier, is the sand-filled plastic-barrel crash cushion that is commonly seen in front of ramps and bridge abutments.

The mission of the Saratoga Automobile Museum is to display significant cars, trucks, and vehicles that not only represent the automotive heritage of New York State but the entire world of motorized transportation. The Museum is chartered by the Board of Regents of the State of New York Department of Education and in addition to organizing permanent and temporary exhibits, the Museum hosts a variety of workshops, interactive displays, lectures, and outdoor shows.

The Saratoga Automobile Museum is located on the grounds of Saratoga Spa State Park at 110 Avenue of the Pines. For more information, guests can also visit the MuseumÌs website at www.saratogaautomuseum.org or call (518) 587-1935.