LAS VEGAS — Automotive icon Carroll Shelby will receive the 2008 Automotive Executive of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award, which will be presented to him during an invitation-only luncheon at the Detroit Athletic Club on April 16. This is the first time in a decade that the Automotive Executive of the Year’s annual honoree will be recognized for lifetime achievement.
“Everyone at Shelby Automobiles is proud of Carroll’s distinguished career,” said Amy Boylan, president of Shelby Automobiles. “Carroll Shelby earned his stripes behind the wheel as a world class driver and at the helm of a highly successful auto manufacturing company. It’s a privilege to work for a living legend who is still one of the most important driving forces in the automotive industry today.”
The Automotive Executive of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award has recognized excellence in automotive leadership from OEM executives since 1964. Past winners include Jim Press, Bill Ford, Jr., Dieter Zetsche, Rick Wagoner, Henry Ford II, Robert Eaton, Thomas Stallkamp, Roger Smith, Harold E. Poling and Lee Iacocca. The award is presented by DNV Certification and sponsored by the Automotive Industry Action Group. The award nominating committee is composed of auto industry media, various industry analysts and automotive supplier CEOs.
“As Mr. Shelby celebrates his 85th birthday, it’s the perfect time to honor him with this Lifetime Achievement Award,” said Robert Djurovic, DNV Certification’s director of auto services–North America and chairman of the nominating committee. “His ongoing energy and commitment amazes us all. As he has done throughout his career, he continues to push the envelope—as well as everyone in the industry—to new levels of performance.”
Shelby’s inspiration and vision have made him the force behind many of the industry’s most beloved automobiles, including the Cobra, Series 1, Ford GT40, Viper, Ford Shelby Mustangs and the Ford GT. He captured three national sports car championships and earned a spot on the Aston-Martin racing team. In his driving career, he has won the 24 Hours of Le Mans and set land speed records on the salt flats at Bonneville. He is the only man to ever win Le Mans as a driver, team owner and manufacturer.
In addition to being named Sports Illustrated’s Driver of the Year in 1956 and 1957, his countless achievements in motor sports led to his induction into the Automobile Hall of Fame and the International MotorSports Hall of Fame. In 2006, Motor Trend named Carroll Shelby one of the 50 most important people in the auto industry in its first annual “power list”.
For information, visit www.carrollshelby.com.
