The Flat-Twelve Endurance Legend

The late 1960s and early 1970s produced one of the most dramatic machines in endurance-racing history: the Porsche 917. Built from a bold reading of the rulebook and powered by an air-cooled flat-twelve engine, it carried Porsche from respected class contender to outright Le Mans winner. Its story runs through homologation pressure, engineering risk, early instability, aerodynamic discovery, Ferrari rivalry, Gulf colours, Martini records, Salzburg glory, and the thunder of Can-Am turbocharging.

The Flat-Twelve Endurance Legend tells the complete fact-based story of the sports prototype that changed Porsche's place in world motorsport. From the company's smaller postwar racers to the 917's first frightening appearances, from the 1970 Le Mans breakthrough to the record-setting 1971 victory, and from John Wyer's Gulf-backed team to Penske and Donohue's turbocharged Can-Am monster, this book follows the car through the circuits, teams, drivers, and decisions that made it unforgettable.

Written in a flowing narrative style, this is a polished account of regulation, ambition, danger, speed, and endurance. It is a story of Hans Herrmann, Richard Attwood, Pedro Rodríguez, Jo Siffert, Helmut Marko, Gijs van Lennep, Mark Donohue, and the mechanics and engineers who turned a difficult machine into a legend. More than a racing car, the 917 became a symbol of an era when long-distance racing demanded courage, precision, and machines capable of running flat out into the night.

Trademark Disclaimer

This book is an independent historical work and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or approved by Porsche AG, the Automobile Club de l'Ouest, the FIA, Gulf Oil, Martini, Penske Racing, Ferrari, or any other company, racing organization, team, sponsor, or rights holder mentioned. All trademarks, team names, model names, logos, and brand names referenced in this book remain the property of their respective owners and are used only for factual, historical, descriptive, and editorial purposes.