Famed auto racer Hill dead at 81

MONTEREY, Calif., Aug. 30 (UPI) -- Phil Hill, famed in the auto racing world for victories in Latin America and Europe, has died at the age of 81 in Monterey, Calif., his daughter says.

Vanessa Hill Rogers said her father, who also earned many notable U.S. wins despite never taking part in the Indianapolis 500, died Thursday after a battle with Parkinson's disease and multiple systems atrophy, The New York Times reported.

A notable classic car restorer, Hill earned a reputation with major racing victories in both Europe and Latin America during the 1950s and '60s.

He also managed to finish first in Florida's celebrated Sebring 12-hour race on three different occasions despite taking part in a sport that still had a high fatality rate.

"The most amazing thing was that he raced at a time when people were dying left and right," his friend, John Lamm, told the Times. "And the only injury he ever suffered was in the Pan-American race. He was getting out of the car and cut his hand."

The newspaper said in addition to Rogers, Hill is survived by his wife Alma Baran Hill, a son, a stepdaughter and four grandchildren.