Although not exactly a forgotten hero, Masten Gregory carved out a niche in motor racing history, largely founded on his early exploits in XKC 015. Born in Kansas City,Perhaps Gregory’s greatest claim to fame was an outright win in the 1965 Le Mans 24-hour race (a year devoid of Jaguar entries) at the wheel of a Ferrari 275LM, thus ensuring his entry into the club. The pinnacle of motorsport, Formula 1, was contested between 1957 and 1965, but despite a podium in his first Grand Prix, no outright wins resulted. A rather less tangible accolade was bestowed upon him by two-time Scottish F1 champion Jim Clark, who considered him ‘his hero’. He retired from racing in 1972 following the death of his friend, Swedish driver Jo Bonnier, at Le Mans. Whatever else he achieved in his 20 year racing career, Gregory’s most lasting memorial has proved to be his signature move: the ‘bail out’. When Masten felt that a crash was inevitable, he reasoned the best place to be was not in the car, so would leap out at the last possible moment. Although this scheme resulted in various periods of injury, premature death was avoided. Actual death occurred in 1985, peacefully of a heart attack in his sleep at the tender age of 53.
