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Bondurant Receives Shelby Spirit Award
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Bob Bondurant, who was an integral part of the 1965 Shelby American FIA World Championship team, became the first recipient of the Carroll Shelby Spirit Award on March 7.
The award was presented by Carol Anne Conway, Carroll Shelby’s niece, during the eighth annual Shelby Bash in Las Vegas. The award honors the achievements of people who embody the same passion for performance as Carroll Shelby.
“Presenting the award to Bob Bondurant in the home of Carroll Shelby was a special moment,” said Joe Conway, Co-CEO of Carroll Shelby International and CEO of Shelby American. “We know Carroll would have wholeheartedly approved of honoring Bondurant with this award, as the two of them are cut from the same cloth. Both were racers, teachers, mentors and businessmen. We only wish Carroll were here to present it to his dear friend, himself.”
Bondurant joined the Shelby American racing team in 1963, which led to a season in Europe and competition for the FIA World Championship. Paired with Dan Gurney in 1964, Bondurant won the GT category and took fourth overall at the wheel of a Daytona Coupe at Le Mans. He scored valuable points in eleven races the next season when the Shelby American team became the only American manufacturer to capture the GT class FIA world championship.
Bondurant was forced to take a hiatus from racing after the steering arm broke during a race, launching his car into a dirt embankment and rolling eight times. Faced with the possibility of never being able to walk again, he decided to use his expertise in a new way. Today, he is the CEO of The Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving, where he instructs others on the passion he’s spent his whole life perfecting.
“Carroll Shelby was a renaissance man with interests in racing, aviation, auto manufacturing, philanthropy and even the food industry,” said Neil Cummings, Co-CEO of Carroll Shelby International and CEO of Carroll Shelby Licensing. “He believed that innovation, ambition, hard work and sacrifice would lead to success in every pursuit. The Carroll Shelby Spirit Award will go to those who share those traits and pour their hearts into their chosen purpose. Mr. Bondurant truly personifies that spirit.”
The Carroll Shelby Spirit Award was designed to kindle a desire for excellence by recognizing people who achieve. Working with organizers at events that cater to Mr. Shelby’s interests, it will always be awarded to someone who displays exuberance, character and most importantly, enjoys a high octane lifestyle. The 60 pound bronze statue of a stunning Shelby Cobra was designed by Rick Hadley. Carroll Shelby International plans to bestow the award annually.
The award was presented by Carol Anne Conway, Carroll Shelby’s niece, during the eighth annual Shelby Bash in Las Vegas. The award honors the achievements of people who embody the same passion for performance as Carroll Shelby.
“Presenting the award to Bob Bondurant in the home of Carroll Shelby was a special moment,” said Joe Conway, Co-CEO of Carroll Shelby International and CEO of Shelby American. “We know Carroll would have wholeheartedly approved of honoring Bondurant with this award, as the two of them are cut from the same cloth. Both were racers, teachers, mentors and businessmen. We only wish Carroll were here to present it to his dear friend, himself.”
Bondurant joined the Shelby American racing team in 1963, which led to a season in Europe and competition for the FIA World Championship. Paired with Dan Gurney in 1964, Bondurant won the GT category and took fourth overall at the wheel of a Daytona Coupe at Le Mans. He scored valuable points in eleven races the next season when the Shelby American team became the only American manufacturer to capture the GT class FIA world championship.
Bondurant was forced to take a hiatus from racing after the steering arm broke during a race, launching his car into a dirt embankment and rolling eight times. Faced with the possibility of never being able to walk again, he decided to use his expertise in a new way. Today, he is the CEO of The Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving, where he instructs others on the passion he’s spent his whole life perfecting.
“Carroll Shelby was a renaissance man with interests in racing, aviation, auto manufacturing, philanthropy and even the food industry,” said Neil Cummings, Co-CEO of Carroll Shelby International and CEO of Carroll Shelby Licensing. “He believed that innovation, ambition, hard work and sacrifice would lead to success in every pursuit. The Carroll Shelby Spirit Award will go to those who share those traits and pour their hearts into their chosen purpose. Mr. Bondurant truly personifies that spirit.”
The Carroll Shelby Spirit Award was designed to kindle a desire for excellence by recognizing people who achieve. Working with organizers at events that cater to Mr. Shelby’s interests, it will always be awarded to someone who displays exuberance, character and most importantly, enjoys a high octane lifestyle. The 60 pound bronze statue of a stunning Shelby Cobra was designed by Rick Hadley. Carroll Shelby International plans to bestow the award annually.
