Back in 1965, Shelby American took home six, yes, SIX championships in one stellar year!
Then, in 2025, on February 14th and 15th, precisely sixty years later, Shelby American, the Shelby American Automobile Club (SAAC), the Original Venice Crew (OVC), the Los Angeles Shelby American Automobile Club (LASAAC), and Ford honored and celebrated the 1965 Shelby American team members. It was an unforgettable weekend at Willow Springs International Raceway in Rosamond, California.
The six championship wins in road, endurance, and drag racing included:
FIA (Federation Internationale de l'Automobile) World Sportscar Manufacturer Championship — 289 Cobras and Daytona Cobra Coupes
SCCA (Sports Car Club of America) A-Production — 427 Cobras
SCCA (Sports Car Club of America) B-Production — G.T. 350 Mustangs
USRRC (United States Road Racing Championship) — 289 Cobras
NHRA (National Hot Rod Association) A/SP class — Cobra Dragonsnake
AHRA (American Hot Rod Association) A Sportscar Division — Cobra Dragonsnake
To honor the 1965 Shelby American Team, and mark the 2025 celebration, Willow Springs was the obvious choice for the occasion and the one track instrumental in the development of all the Shelby American cars, mechanics, fabricators, drivers, and administrators.
There were other tracks, of course, Ontario Motor Speedway and Riverside International Raceway come to mind, but these days they’re memories, condos, and malls.
We chose G.T. 350, SFM6S2060, to attend the two-day event, driving up and back. The day before the event began, Southern California was drenched in heavy rainfall, however, the rain stopped and things dried out early Friday morning, so no spirits were dampened. We enjoyed the awesome weather the entire weekend!
The celebratory weekend included two full track days on ‘Big Willow’ on both Friday and Saturday. Both Track Days were very well attended with an assortment of cars and racers assimilating the challenging Big Willow track, a super-fast, 2½ mile/nine-turn road racing course.
Most everyone stayed over at the Embassy Suites in Palmdale, not far from Willow. Evidently, ShelbyGuy was the EarlyGuy to get checked in.
Friday evening was the centerpiece of the festivities with a dinner celebration including special guests, and a Shelby & Ford Car Show at the track on Saturday.
The Shelby American Championships Dinner Celebration was more than special! Emceed by Team Member, Jim Marietta, every single Team Member’s name was noted during the evening. Of course, many SA employees were in attendance, including Aaron Shelby (Carroll's grandson), Peter Brock, Alan Grant, Kerry Agapiou, and many other Team Members!
Even Henry Ford III paid the group a video visit!
The evening's surprise highlight was the very special commemorative Champions Rings which were the brainchild of Jim Marietta.
Each one-of-a-kind ring was unique to its recipient, with their name engraved on the ring. A beautiful gift marking the contributions of each Team Member who contributed to the six championships!
We concluded with a champagne toast in memory of Dan Gurney, a Shelby American driver, who you may recall, at the conclusion of a race 'invented' the celebratory champagne spraying of the crowd in the winner's circle, in this very first case, at the 1967 Le Mans 24 Hours win.
We also had a few moments with our friend, Peter Brock, a Shelby American Team Member, and The Man behind the design of the Daytona Cobra Coupe!
Turnout for Saturday’s Shelby & Ford Car Show at the track was terrific, too!
G.T. 350, on the way out, homeward bound...
...see ya on the road!
Great pics, John! Thx for sharing. Great to see Peter Brock and Alan Grant. Saw Peter in August last year when he signed the dash of my #5 Type 65 Daytona at BRE. What a guy! Have enjoyed reading through your posts -- thx for keeping us Texas guys in the SOCAL Shelby loop!