One of the most versatile drivers motor sport has ever known is to be honored at next year’s Amelia Island Concours, when Vic Elford will serve as Honorary Chairman for the annual affair. The Englishman known as “Quick Vic” by his contemporaries won major events and championships in both racing and rallying during the ’60s and ’70s, an uncommon achievement then as now.
Perhaps his finest hour came during his victorious drive in the 1968 Targa Florio, a contest that embodies elements of both disciplines. Left 18 minutes behind the leaders by an opening-lap tire failure, Elford forged his Porsche 907 back to the front, setting lap record after lap record on the 44-mile course to win by just under three minutes.
His other major triumphs include the Rallye Monte Carlo, the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring, all in Porsches. He was European Rally Champion in 1967 with a 911, won the Nürburgring 1000K on three occasions with Porsche 908s and the 1970 Watkins Glen Trans-Am for Jim Hall’s Chaparral Camaro team, while also racing in Formula One, the Can-Am and NASCAR.
Among his other awards is the “Chevalier of the National Order of Merit” presented by then French President Georges Pompidou in 1972 for Vic’s courageous effort to pull a driver from a burning wreck midway through that year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The 17th Annual Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance is scheduled for March 9–11, 2012, on the 10th and 18th fairways of The Golf Club of Amelia Island at Summer Beach. Please visit www.ameliaconcours.org/ for complete information.
