STORY OF THE DAY: NART’s P3 Falls in the Ford–Ferrari Struggle

Pedro Rodríguez and Richie Ginther retired North American Racing Team Ferrari 330 P3 number 27 from the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans. Their withdrawal contributed to a disastrous race for Ferrari, whose leading prototypes all failed as Ford secured the celebrated first three positions.

Number 27 carried strong American interest into the contest through NART and Ginther, but the immense pace of the factory battle imposed punishing loads. Once the Ferrari could no longer continue, another potential counterweight to Ford’s numerical and technical strength disappeared.

The 330 P3 was Ferrari’s refined four-litre mid-engined prototype, using a fuel-injected V12, tubular structure with stressed panels and a lower, more aerodynamic body than the P2. It was fast and sophisticated, but Ferrari fielded fewer cars than Ford’s extensively supported Mk II programme.

Rodríguez, from Mexico, was already a Ferrari endurance winner renowned for bravery and wet-weather speed. American Ginther was a former Ferrari Formula One driver and accomplished development racer who had won Honda’s first Grand Prix. Their experience made number 27 a formidable NART pairing.