917-30 Video

[Haasman]

Ran across this today. 1973 917-30.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYBtCJDQqqg

Haasman

[SKWIKY67]

Great video! Donahue was incredible! Saw him at the Laguna Can Am race in '72 or '73 and as I recall he started last
and won the race!!

Dave

[Haasman]

I saw that race also. I was so captivated by Donahue and all the 917s I went to 5 of the 8 races. Had to cut classes, drive multiple days etc. Never regretted it.

As a quick side story I ended up crewing for Hurley Haywood. Not as glamorous as it sounded. A crew member was sick, I was hanging around like a kid at a puppy store and he recognized me from several other races, then asked if I wanted to help them? His words hadn't left his mouth as I was on it. Mostly gopher things but I got to be up close and personal to a 917-10.

Haasman

[Chuck Miller]

Nice vid....

I was there at Laguna in '72 as well..........

I saw almost all of the SoCal (Riverside) CanAms from '66 on....With Elkheart in '71 and Laguna in '72 thrown in...They were all UNBELIEVABLE!!!

To have witnessed these unlimited 'bangers' driven at the very limit, and often over, is something I'll always be grateful for....

With all that prestige and BIG money at stake the drivers and cars were always at the limit.....

I have yet to watch a vintage CanAm race (or TransAm for that mater) that even comes close........

Thanks for posting....

[Flieger]

Chuck, did you see the Goodwood highlights on Speed last night? Those Europeans take their vintage racing seriously!

[Chuck Miller]

Chuck, did you see the Goodwood highlights on Speed last night? Those Europeans take their vintage racing seriously!

No Max, I didn't catch it.... but I do know you're right, and they do..........

However, I've haven't personally witnessed it at it's limit in almost 40 years... and so much of the CanAm at it's limit was visceral, it got you in the chest coming, and in the 'attachments' as they passed...and in the eyeballs trying to comprehend how that much car, with that much power, with that size tires, could be drifted THAT close to the wall......

[Haasman]

Chuck- exactly! Watching these cars (gulp) around forty years ago was an event of disbelief.

Donahue in the blue Sunoco 917-30 would almost play with the other drivers and cars. Took turns and went through corners almost in any place. Prior to watching these cars very really wasn't anything that came close. I did see a Top Fuel NHRA drag race finals .... in terms of thunder and chaos that was impressive.

I was at Infineon Raceway (former Sears Point Raceway) several years ago and watched the Audi Le Mans cars run. Their composure and incredible stability reminded me of the 917-30 in the CanAm.

I have been to multiple historic races over the years, living close to Laguna Seca. Seeing the 917s run in the historics is of course great but honestly nothing like in 72/73. Just how far does one want to throw around a now multi-million dollar race car?

Miss the CanAm.

Haasman

[Bullethead]

The 1000+ HP thing was astonishing then, and though a decade later Brabham's 1.5 liter BMW was making that much juice, it was often a grenade. Have looked that 917-30 over close... every detail was about outright dominance. It's mighty shiny now but that just magnifies it's blunt engineering.

Atlanta was as close Can-Am came for us, still a 12 hour drive from SoFla. The guy second from the right was lucky that time...
Penske and Donohue basically used that car like a cudgel on the "competition" in '73. Wish I could have gone to more of those races.

Amelia Island Concours 2010 058.jpg

[Mr9146]

Heaven on Earth.

[Haasman]

If you've ever had the pleasure to listen to a 917 engine and especially from starting, it doesn't come across immediately as such a conquering beast. Depending on the state of tune and hours on the engine, the flat six says a lot all at once on starting- There is a serious deep rumbling from the exhaust immediately upon starting but with also an odd airy gear whirling sounds. At first you think it must be the turbos .... but no ... there is a lot going on inside this engine. Or maybe more accurately this power plant.

As the engine warms and it is fed revs you can actually tell its warming. The engine sounds better, smoother, simply more cooperative with a strong emerging indication of what this car can do. Still there are a lot of different noises all at once not commonly familiar and as the warming revs increase so does the distinct impression that this is a big serious engine.

For me it was always about this time I really take notice of the somewhat sooty exhaust and the horizontally spinning air cooling fan in the center of the engine.

Pulling out of a paddock area they are not the most friendly to drive, and until fully warmed they can buck and protest.

For me a fascinating design. Because of the enormous amount of torque generated by the flat 12, connection to the transmission was done via central shaft taking power from, if you will, two flat sixes back to back. The car had virtually no torque steer.

917+motor1264744890.gif

917+engine+part+view1264742503.jpg

800px+Porsche_917+16_Spyder_1970_engine_2009+03+14_A1302303164.jpg

Here is a simple video of the engine sans turbos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3CkVwtOPX4

To see the rebuild process check this out: http://www.pbase.com/917carl/917_12_cyl_engine&page=1

A final note- Porsche was very serious in defending the CanAm title. So serious that although not well known, existed a flat 16 cylinder engine ready to be deployed.

Sorry for going on and on .....

Haasman