American Hill, Formula One champ in 1961, is dead at 81

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Aug 28, 2008 | by Anonymous

Phil Hill, the only American-born driver to win the Formula One championship, died at Community Hospital of Monterey Peninsula on Thursday. He was 81.

Hill died of complications from Parkinson's disease, according to John Lamm, a close friend who also is editor-at-large of Road and Track magazine.

Hill won the F1 title for Ferrari in 1961. He also was the first American to win the 24-hour endurance race at Le Mans, France -- a race he won two additional times -- and he won the Sebring 12-hour race three times, among many other victories.

Hill, who never suffered a serious injury, retired from driving in 1967 at 39.

Mario Andretti is the only other American F1 champion, but he was born in Italy.

Swimming

Michael Phelps, who won eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympics, earned an advance estimated at $1.6 million from Simon & Shuster for a book to be titled "Built to Succeed," the New York Post reported. Phelps has already earned a $1 million bonus from Speedo for breaking Mark Spitz's record for the most gold medals earned (seven) in a single Olympics.

NBA

New Orleans signed Sean Marks, a nine-year NBA veteran who can play power forward and center. Marks has been a role player throughout his career, averaging 3.1 points and 1.9 rebounds in 19 games for Phoenix last season. The former Cal star was the first New Zealand native to play in the NBA.

-- Memphis signed center Hamed Haddadi, who played for the Iranian team in the Olympics. Haddadi, 23, spent the 2007-08 season playing in the Iranian Super League.

NHL

Dallas center Stu Barnes is retiring after 16 years in the NHL. The Stars said Barnes, 37, has agreed to a two-year contract to join Dave Tippett's coaching staff as an assistant. Barnes had 261 goals and 336 assists during his NHL career.

-- Colten Teubert, the 13th pick in this year's draft, agreed to a three-year, entry-level contract with Los Angeles. Financial terms weren't disclosed. The 18-year-old defenseman played for Regina of the Western Hockey League last season.

WNBA

Candace Parker had 19 points, nine rebounds and five blocks to lead host Los Angeles (16-12) to a 78-63 win over Sacramento (15- 13), marking the league's return following an Olympics break. Nicole Powell had 12 points for the Monarchs.

-- Sophia Young had 18 points and Becky Hammon, winner of a Olympic bronze medal while playing for Russia, added 13 to lead San Antonio (19-9) to a 77-55 rout of host Phoenix (12-16).

-- Sue Bird had 22 points to lead host Seattle (18-9) to a 66-49 win over Houston (14-13). Earlier in the day, reigning MVP Lauren Jackson of the Storm had season-ending ankle surgery in Australia.

-- Jia Perkins scored 19 points to lead visiting Chicago (9-17) to a 69-60 win over New York (15-11).

-- Tamika Whitmore scored 15 points and Connecticut (17-10) raced out to a big early lead in an 84-58 win over host Indiana (12-15).

Golf

Gregory Havret shot a 5-under 68 at The Centenary Course at Gleneagles (Scotland) to take the first-round lead in the Johnnie Walker Championship. Christian Cevaer, Paul Broadhurst, Robert Rock and Gary Orr shared second at 70.

Soccer

Defenders Danny Califf, Michael Orozco and Marvell Wynne were added to the U.S. roster for next month's World Cup qualifiers against Cuba and Trinidad & Tobago. Midfielder Ricardo Clark also was among 20 players selected by U.S. coach Bob Bradley. Injured midfielder Pablo Mastroeni was dropped along with defender Jay DeMerit. The U.S. plays Cuba in Havana on Sept. 6 and hosts T&T at Brideview, Ill., four days later.

Horse racing

Long shot Wake Up Maggie rallied to win the $86,000 Adoration Handicap at Del Mar, beating Super Freaky by 2 3/4 lengths. Wake Up Maggie, ridden by Tyler Baze, ran a mile in 1:35.42.

Mixed martial arts

Former light-heavyweight champion Quinton Jackson, 39, has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges after a chase and series of traffic crashes last month in Santa Ana.