Too dangerous?

Jo Siffert (at the wheel) and Brian Redman used this Porsche 917 (#003) during the tests preceding the 1000 km of Spa 1969. Although having achieved pole position, they chose to start at the wheel of a Porsche 908 LH coupé (#025), because they found the handling of the new 917, rather random and dangerous, on this hyper-fast circuit.

The Porsche 917 began its career in 1969 at the 1000 km of Spa. Two 917s were entered for Siffert Redman and Mitter Schutz. In an attempt to remedy the car’s tricky handling, the rear tail was shortened, but despite having achieved pole position, Jo Siffert preferred to start at the wheel of the 908.

It was a good decision , as Siffert and Redman won by three minutes ahead of the Ferrari 312P driven by Pedro Rodriguez and David Piper. Gerhard Mitter, driving the 917, broke his engine on the first lap after engaging the wrong gear. It is said that the Swiss driver did this on purpose, to shorten a risk that was deemed excessive.