Motor Trend - USA (2020-09)

W

illy T. Ribbs isn’t a household name

outside of racing circles. But he

should be. During the 1980s, he

was one of the fastest damn drivers

around any racetrack, be it an oval, road

course, or circuit. Ribbs had all the neces-

sary items to become a world-renowned

racer—except for the color of his skin.

After showing great promise at age

22 in becoming British Formula Ford

“Star Of Tomorrow” champion, Ribbs

found progress in American racing to

be slow going. Despite sponsors turning

their backs and some pit crews slow-

walking mechanical improvements or

slow-talking communication, Ribbs still

found a way to win races and contend for

championships in Trans-Am and IMSA

series racing. His only shot at the big

time was qualifying for the 1991 and 1993

Indianapolis 500—the latter of which he

finished despite inferior machinery.

Known for a strong personality and not

backing down from confrontation, Ribbs

is the subject of the movie Uppity, which

is now available for streaming on Netflix.

He spoke with MotorTrend on June 16,

five days before a noose was reported in

Bubba Wallace’s garage at Talladega.

When you raced in the South, did it feel

like you were walking into something

you knew would be racist? I would say it

RACING

WHILE

BLACK

WORDS MARK RECHTIN PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF WILLY T RIBBS

Making friends early: Willy T. Ribbs at

a young age, poses with Phil Hill (left)

and future employer Dan Gurney.