February 14th marked the 49th Anniversary of the Bondurant Racing School and Bob Bondurant School of Higher Performance Driving. Pat and Bob Bondurant, their son Vice President Jason Bondurant, with his wife Nicole and the entire Bondurant staff were on hand to celebrate this landmark event.
Opening in 1968, the Bob Bondurant School of High Performance driving was originally located at the Orange County International Raceway near Los Angeles. Bob opened his school with three Datsuns, a Lola T70 Can-Am car and a Formula V. The school grew fast and in 1970 it relocated to to nearby Ontario Motor Speedway, and in 1973 to the challenging Sears Point International Raceway near Sonoma, California. In 1983, Ford Motor Company offered to provide vehicles and other support to the school.
Always dreaming of having his purpose-built facility and designing his own track, Bob relocated to Phoenix, Arizona in March, 1990, when Firebird Raceway opened for business. It is the largest dedicated facility of its kind in North America.
The 49th Anniversary event, which coincides with Valentines Day, was celebrated with Valentine decorations around the facility, a lunch party awarding Bob with a special 49th Anniversary trophy and then Bob taking his Cobra out for some Hot Laps on the Bondurant Main Track. Pat and the staff are already planning a huge 50th Anniversary party for 2018!
Bob Bondurant, World Champion race driver and driving educator, was inducted into the Corvette Hall of Fame in Bowling Green, Kentucky, Sept. 2.Great view of Bob launching out of pit row. Thanks Troy Shoemaker. #bondurantanniversary pic.twitter.com/pFquzGc659— Bondurant School (@BondurantSchool) February 14, 2017
“I am honored by the induction,” said Bondurant, a resident with wife Pat of Paradise Valley. “It’s a wonderful affirmation that my fans and peers heartily recognize that I worked very hard for all the wins in my life and that they also recognize that at 83 years old I go to work every day and live my passion driving and teaching every day. I have never seen my career as working to live; I have always lived to work.”
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| Phoenix celebrities Pat and Bob Bondurant honored among top Hollywood Celebrities at the Childhelp DRIVE The DREAM Gala. They attended the gala with son Jason Bondurant and his wife Nicole. |
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