PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Bob Bondurant will be honored for his incredible racing career at multiple celebrations during Monterey Collector Car Week. The August celebrations include the unveiling of the continuation Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe for the FIA World Championship’s 50th anniversary, track appearances at Mazda Raceway and a Q&A session. Bondurant, founder of Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving, has driven for several storied marques and is the only world champion to have a driving school. His accomplishments will be recognized and celebrated across the Monterey Peninsula.
“I’m humbled and honored to be recognized for my career during the famous Monterey Collection Car Week,” said Bondurant. “Looking back at the successes and hardships I’ve endured over the years is astounding. Few people have had the opportunities I was gifted, and I’m thankful for them every day. My wife and I truly appreciate the acknowledgement and look forward to sharing memories with old and new friends at these celebrations.”
Bob Bondurant’s list of accomplishments is filled with many victories and exciting stories. Bondurant raced Corvettes in the mid-1950s, winning the West Coast SCCA B Production National Championship in 1959 with a stunning 18 of 20 wins. During SCCA competition from 1960 to 1963, he won 30 of the 32 races.
During the 1965 FIA World Championship season, Bondurant won seven of his 10 races to score the win for Shelby American over the previously dominant Ferrari effort; it is still the only American team to do so. After capturing the title, Ferrari invited Bondurant to be one of their Formula 1 drivers. He also served as a stunt driver for the 1966 film, Grand Prix.
Bondurant’s racing career ended in 1967 after a steering arm snapped at the Watkins Glen track. He sketched his vision for a racing school while in the hospital and began building that dream after he recovered. The only purpose-built facility of its kind in the world, the school is in Phoenix. It has trained nearly 500,000 people. Professional racers, executives, law enforcement officers, military specialists, performance enthusiasts and teen-age drivers have learned to be safer and more proficient on the track, street and highway.
“The Bondurant name is synonymous with high performance driving,” said Pat Bondurant, who is President of the Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving. “Bob has so many unique accomplishments, so it’s wonderful to see him recognized. His victories as a driver made him a champion in the racing world, but his impact as a driving coach has made him a legend. He has made an incredible impact on thousands of people who have benefited from his extraordinary ability to teach. I’m so proud to stand by his side as he receives the accolades he deserves.”
The celebration will kick off at the private unveiling of the continuation Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe on Wednesday, Aug. 12, at Gordon McCall’s Motorworks Gala. The soiree, taking place at the Monterey Jet Center, will commend the incredible effort of Bondurant’s victorious driving. Bob will be attending with his wife Pat and has donated a 3-day driving school to raise money for the event’s charity, CHP 11-99 Foundation, which supports families of the California Highway Patrol.
The celebration continues on Thursday evening when Bondurant will be recognized at the Rolex Motorsport Reunion Participant Reception on the track at Laguna Seca. On Friday, Bondurant will be an honored guest at the Rolex Dinner at Bernardus Lodge & Spa. The 50th anniversary Daytona Coupe’s public presentation will take place on Saturday inside Mazda Raceway at Laguna Seca where Bondurant will participate in a Q&A session and autograph session.
The events conclude on Sunday at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, where Ferrari is among the featured marques. Bondurant will be interviewing with local press throughout the weekend.
About Bob Bondurant School of High Performance
The Bob Bondurant School of High Performance, which is located in Phoenix, Ariz., is the only purpose-built driver training facility for performance enthusiasts and is the largest driver training of its kind in North America. At the heart of the 60-acre facility is a 1.6-mile, 15-turn multi-configuration track that was designed by Bob Bondurant. The school maintains over 200 race-prepared vehicles, sedans, SUVs and open wheel cars. For more information, visit www.Bondurant.com or call (800) 842-7223.