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Born in San Jose, California, Willy T. Ribbs is a legendary racecar driver whose career behind the wheel started in England. The year was 1977 and Willy was 22 and he became the British Formula Ford “Star of Tomorrow” Champion. He returned home to the USA to face hostility from his racing peers. Undeterred, he became the first, and in some cases the only, African American to win races. His accomplishments include 1977 Dunlop Formula Ford Championship, the 1982 Long Beach Formula Atlantic Pole Winner, 1983-85 most winning Trans-Am driver in the series during his reign, 1985 the first and only African American to drive a Formula One car, 1986 the second African American to race in NASCAR’S Cup series, 1987-88 IMSA driver of the year, 1991 the first African American to race in the Indianapolis 500. In 2019 he was in the inaugural Champion in the Vintage Race of Champions. Today he’s featured in the documentary film “Uppity – The Willy T. Ribbs Story”, produced and directed by past Cars Yeah guest Adam Carolla and others.
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INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE
Winning is always an inspiration!
CAREER & LIFE CHALLENGES
Willy shares about the terrible challenges and abuse he endured as a racer.
FIRST SPECIAL VEHICLE
the car from the first race he won in England
BEST AUTOMOTIVE ADVICE
Some of the best advice Willy received was from Dan Gurney and Bobby Unser.
PARTING WORDS OF ADVICE
H.D.B.B.M.F.
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I watched Willy race IMSA live back in the late 1980’s as a Formula Atlantic driver, learning from different categories… there was something special about how he drove, so many different types of car, one driving style, push hard, yet didn’t break the equipment. That as much as being a Pioneer makes him a Legend! I hope to meet him someday!.