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At the Ring…

03. Jun 2020 
by Ziv Knoll
2725 views

For the 1970 Nurburgring 1000 km, it was agreed by John Wyer Automotive, Salzburg Porsche and the factory that the works teams would use the 908/03, the car used at the Targa Florio.

The light and agile 908/03 was better suited to the twisty and demanding Nürburgring than the big and powerful 917. Two were run by John Wyer’s team and two were run by Porsche Salzburg.

Qualifying was marred by the fatal accident of Finnish driver Hans Laine in a Porsche 908/02, when his car lost downforce at full speed, flew into the air, did a full backflip and caught fire.

This accident was a big blow for all participants, Hans Laine being a popular figure in the little endurance community.

The Porsches dominated the race and when the JW Automotive car of Siffert/Redman had to retire with oil pressure problems, the Salzburg Porsche car of Elford/Ahrens Jr (picture) took the lead, ran without a hitch and went on to win the race.

With the victory at their home event, Porsche claimed the World Sportscar Championship over Ferrari.

This would be the last ever international race at the original Nürburgring with no safety features on it. For the next year’s race, the Nordschleife was rebuilt, which included a smoother surface and lining the circuit with Armco and adding run-off areas where possible.

Main picture: Kurt Ahrens (left) and Vic Elford quietly celebrate a sad victory on the podium.

Source: DR

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