Description
By: Phil Henny .
Born in Evanston, Illinois in 1933. Bob grew up in West Los Angeles, where his family moved in the late thirties. He raced motorcyles on local dirt tracks and started road racing in 1956, driving a Morgan PIus4 in SCCA events. His reputation as a driver was built on his handling of Corvettes. Bob won 18 of 20 events he entered in 1959, winning the west coast SCCA B Production National Championship.
Bob had worked as a helicopter mechanic's helper during the early part of his career. He was interested in learning about the mechanics of the helicopter as well as becoming a pilot. He got his pilots license in 1962. In 1963 Carroll Shelby invited Bob to compete in the USSRC driving one of his Cobras. He won first time out at the Continental Divide Raceway near Denver. Two more wins that same year in the Cobra assured him a seat with Shelby American in the World's Manufacturer Championship.
Bob's participation in the 1965 Championship, winning 8 of the 10 events brought home the F.I.A. Cup to America. Carroll Shelby said: " I wouldn't be surprised to see Bob driving in Formula One next year. He's got the talent and the determination as well. Lots of drivers have the talent, but these days you've got to work and starve until you get there. I think Bob will do it." That same year Bob drove a Ferrari Formula One in the United States Grand Prix at Watkins Glen, NY. In 1966 he participated in seven F1 Grand prix driving a private B.R.M. In 1967, Bob Bondurant survived an horrific accident in his CanAm racer at Watkins Glen, N.Y.
His long convalescence nourished the idea of a future High Performance Driving School. Since 1968, the school has been training aspiring racecar drivers, performance enthusiasts, current racers, executives, teens and anyone looking to improve their car control skills.
Recognized as the worldwide leader in driver training, the Bondurant School sits on 66 acres, features over 200 race prepared vehicles, a 1.6 mile Bondurant designed road course and a 8 acre skid pad.
