Phil Hill, Eagle Rock crash, LAX strike: Ramping up, August 29

Racing legend dies: Phil Hill (above right) was the first and only American-born driver to win the prestigious Formula One championship, which he captured in 1961. The Santa Monica native died yesterday at 81. If you grew up in a household that liked auto racing -- and I did -- Hill was a name you knew. The Southland has produced its share of great drivers, but Hill was arguably the best. LAT obituary.

(correction: an earlier version of this post said he won the F1 title in 1981. It was 1961.)

Eagle Rock crash: Police say a three-car race at 70 mph resulted in two cars colliding and one of them hitting a tree, report my colleagues Tami Abdollah and Jia-Rui Chong.

No Metrolink service Monday: The commuter rail service takes the day off for Labor Day, with regular service resuming Tuesday. Metro service will be on a Sunday schedule.

LAX workers strike: Several hundred baggage handlers, security personnel and janitors went on strike Thursday and airport officials are telling passengers to arrive two hours early for flights, according to The Times' story this morning. The LAX website is showing few delays this morning. Update, 10:05 a.m.: The office of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has announced the workers and airport have agreed to a three-week cooling off period.

-- Steve Hymon

Photo credit: Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Andrew]

Rest in peace Phill you are legen

[Tom A.]

Kudos for paying tribute to Phil Hill, Steve, but he won the title in 1961.

[Jeremy Miles]

I think he won the F1 championship in 1961.