917 domination

Helmut Marko and Gérard Larrousse in their superb Martini Porsche 917K lead the JWA Gulf Porsche 917K of Siffert-Bell in the opening laps of the 1971 1000 km of Zeltweg (picture above). Helmut Marko will suffer a puncture on lap 122 and will be forced to retire, while Jo Siffert will also retire with a broken clutch in the early stages of the race.

Pedro Rodriguez produced one of his greatest races. He drove for 5 1/2 hours, overcame a huge deficit caused by faulty electrics that hampered him early in the race, and with a bit of luck won (picture below). Richard Attwood, the 1970 Le Mans winner, was his team mate. Sadly, one week later, Rodriguez died in a crash at the Norisring in a Ferrari 512M…