There was friction within Shelby American, too.
Ken Miles was fretful in the absence of co-driver Ruby, whose ability to sleep soundly between stints had provided a counterbalance to the nervously pacing Englishman. Denny Hulme was an excellent replacement, but Miles was concerned that the New Zealander, though laid back, did not have enough invested.
And Bruce McLaren was adamant there was something amiss with his car.
Holman: “Shelby American wanted Miles to win but McLaren was the quicker; so his car was sabotaged. I don’t know if its crew realised that it was being given bad information, but I do know that Bruce didn’t like the way the car handled.
“He complained to my father [John], Alan Mann and Henry Ford II, and a group of mechanics – some of Alan’s crew and two of our workers – stayed over the night before the race to change the suspension.
“To my knowledge, Shelby wasn’t aware.”