Bob Bondurant snubbed by Goodwood.

[Riverside racer]

Hello All-
The Cobra Daytona Coupes will all be together for the very first time in history this week.
The 1965 FIA World Manufacturers Championship video on utube tells the story of how that trophy would never have gone to that car, Carroll Shelby, Ford or America that year unless I did what I had to do to win.
That meant not agreeing to Alan Mann's style of rigging races for his English drivers to win, ordering me to stay 500 yards behind them in every race.
History tells us now that I did not go to Europe as Shelby's number one driver to be bullied, disrespected and minimized by English team manager, Alan Mann. History tells you that I went to Europe to win,and I did.
Now 50 years later, the English are somewhat upset that I set the record straight on the utube video released this year "The Impossible Glory" about the 1965 win-- they are so upset with the video that my old friend Lord March has not returned my email and my name has been completely shut out of the Goodwood website around the Daytona Coupes media announcement .
In other words, I was not invited to be re-united with the cars that I made famous by being the primary driver winning 7 of the 10 races for the Championship.
A young fellow working for Lord March, named Jarrah, bounced silly stories around to me that I would be there, but finally wrote me only a few days ago that Goodwood had no money left to bring me over as their guest-- he said it is only about the cars not the drivers, interesting how they are paying for Alan Grant and Pete Brock (and wives,) all expenses covered. I am very happy for them, they are my friends and it will be a real thrill for them to be a part of it all. Pete designed an incredible car that I gave my heart and soul to win every race. Alan was my co-driver in the Monza win.
I heard Lord March re-created the Sebring pit lane, where I won of course! That's a very funny choice to me and Charlie Agapou , my only mechanic in Europe.
Charlie was also in the utube video, so he was not invited either, despite being an Englishman, good grief.
The fans will likely be there in record numbers , probably assuming that I will be there .
It seems to me that nothing has changed in 50 years with the manner, it appears, that Lord March has misunderstood the reason for the truth to be told. He is uncharacteristically not choosing to honor the historical truth of the challenge of a race car driver, he is standing in the way of 'fan history' as he is continuing with his man, the Alan Mann behavior, defending the wrong course.
However; it is his party, and he can do whatever he chooses. I found it important to let you know why I will not be there.
This shut out is being called tragic by the fans , journalists and car enthusiasts. It is sad, the fans do lose a special moment by not witnessing the pictures and autographs, a real historical European moment of the driver with his cars because Goodwood chooses to protect and be offended by an unflattering truth.
It will eventually be revealed, despite it all, this was handled very poorly by Goodwood.
No American driver or American Manufacturer had ever won that Championship before me or ever won it after me, not even 50 years later. I am 82 years old now, it was important for me to release my video so that the young race car drivers can learn from it. That's why I started my 47 year old driving school, to train future champions how to go out and win.
Yes, the incredible Cobra Daytona Coupes are being honored at Goodwood, that is truly a very historical moment . I am sure my sweat is still on the Coupes steering wheels and shifters--- I was one with my Cobras. I will always be a part of them, I will always be the driver that crossed all 7 finish lines and made them famous .... that is my historical moment that lives in my voice, my handshake, my smile that the Goodwood event and staff can not begin to re-create or share with my fans.
Please enjoy watching the video, it's on utube and Bondurant.com -- it's an eye opener, a true underdog story-- the stuff that makes all of us proud to watch someone beat the odds and win for their country!

All the best~
Bob Bondurant

This story was dictated to me by my husband Bob in his true form,in his truest heartfelt words.
Pat Bondurant
September 7th, 2015