After the 1970 LeMans 24 HR race Steve McQeen needed to complete the filming of his "LEMANS" movie featuring Porsche 917s and David Piper drove a Gulf-Wyer 917 as a camera car. Sadly that car had a high speed blow-out and crashed heavily and although David escaped with his life he did sadly lose part of his leg. (This was such a terrible time in motor sport with Bruce McLaren and Piers Courage losing their lives during June and Piper being seriously injured, we should be so thankful for today's safety measures.)
You will note in the hotel parking lot photo how little rear down force would have been created on the 917s at speeds almost what they are today.
The violent result of the # 21 car driven by David Piper, crashing. (David was back driving again a few months later and is still with us at close to 90 years old. )
Steve McQueen stares at the remains of his borrowed 917K camera car.
" Believe it or not, the 917K was so valuable, it was reconstructed with help of 917-034 chassis and body.
Retaining its original chassis number, the rebuilt car went on to win the Daytona, Monza, and Zeltweg races
the following season! Considering how "right" a car must be to win, those mechanics were miracle workers!"
(As per Tony Adamowicz )
(Ken H)
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