Phil Hill

Beverly Hills, CA - AMERICAN WORLD CHAMPION HONORED WITH COMEMMORATIVE WATCH

On Thursday, March 4th on Rodeo Drive, the largest collection of Ferrari Formula One cars ever to be assembled in North America united in tribute to American racing champion and Californian, Phil Hill.

Hill won the 1961 Grand Prix world Driving Championship, the ultimate competition for racecar drivers, in the Ferrari 156. Hill was the first American to ever win the championship and his impressive record was unchallenged for 17 years until it was won by the only other American to win, Mario Andretti.

The Ferrari Formula One reunion was sponsored by Girard-Perregaux, luxury Swiss watch manufacturer, Ferrari of Beverly Hills and hosted by the City of Beverly Hills. Those in attendance were thrilled to see Ferrari Formula One cars spanning nearly 50 years drive down exclusive Rodeo Drive before the throng of shoppers appear at 8:30 in the morning.

Gino Macaluso personally presented Phil Hill with the first of Girard-Perregaux?s limited series 156 F.1 chronographs made in tribute to Phil Hill.

Luminaries such as Mayor Les Bronte of Beverly Hills, Gian Luigi Buitoni, President Ferrari North America; Giacomo Mattioli, President, Ferrari of Beverly Hills; Gino Macaluso, Owner of Girard-Perregaux; Ronald Jackson, President, Girard-Perregaux USA and of course, honored guest Phil Hill attended this special curbside ceremony.

Phil was grateful for being honored with such a fabulous watch. Upon taking the podium to say a few words, he proudly counted off the correct time to the audience.

It was great to see the largest gathering of Ferrari Formula One cars on display. A number of Club members arrived early in anticipation of the event, watching as Ferrari of Beverly Hills delivered a number of the cars to Rodeo Drive. This presentation on Thursday preceeded the FNA/FCA track event that weekend at Willow Springs Raceway for the F355 Challenge Series where the F1 cars of various eras were allowed to exercise their muscles.

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