Three-time Le Mans winner Hurley Haywood will receive the sixth annual “Spirit of Competition” Award on November 20th, 2013, at a gala fundraising dinner at the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Past recipients of the award include Mario Andretti, Janet Guthrie, John Fitch, Craig Breedlove and Sam Posey.
“Hurley Haywood has won more of the ‘big three’ sports car endurance races – Le Mans, Daytona and Sebring – than any driver in motorsports history,” said Executive Director Fred Simeone.
“His philosophy, ‘If you have one ounce of energy left, then you haven’t done your job properly,’ fits perfectly into our theme of the spirit of competition.”
Presenting the award to Haywood will be Bill Warner, chairman of the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. The 2013 Spirit of Competition Award presentation is being sponsored by Wilkie Lexus, Haverford, Pennsylvania.
Haywood has won Le Mans three times (1977, 1983, and 1994) and has a record five wins at the 24 Hours of Daytona and won Sebring in 1973 and 1981. He also represented IMSA in the International Race of Champions in 1986, 1989, 1992, and 1995. He is currently chief driving instructor at the Porsche Sport Driving School and he is the driving force behind Brumos Automotive.
The “Spirit of Competition” is the theme of the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum and the focus of the annual fund raiser. Each year a distinguished figure from motorsports is selected who has a specific inspirational message:
2008-Mario Andretti: “If you think you have everything under control, you’re driving too slow.”
2009-Janet Guthrie: “Racing is a matter of spirit not strength.”
2010-John Fitch: “I have risked everything of value including life itself, being stimulated by what can be stated simply as the pursuit of achievement.”
2011-Craig Breedlove: “I can go a thousand miles an hour on land.”
2012-Sam Posey: “The happiest and proudest person I can be exists in a few fleeting moments of achievement behind the wheel.”
Tickets for the event are $150 for individuals and $275 for a couple. The Awards dinner starts at 5:30 PM on November 20th. To purchase tickets, visit SimeoneMuseum.org or call (215) 365-7233.
[Source: Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum]
