BOAC 1000 kms Brands Hatch 1970
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- Опубликовано: 23 апр 2012
- Generations of sportscar racing fans recall -- no doubt with shivers down their spines -- the day, back in April 1970, when one of the category's biggest stars literally walked on water. And this superb footage from the BOAC 1000kms at Brands Hatch offers a chilling reminder of the God-like performance given by Pedro Rodriguez.
The Mexican was the acknowledged master of the factory-blessed, JW Automotive-run Gulf Porsche team, and on that foul day at Brands he more than justified the hype. Sharing the number 10 powder-blue-and-orange 917 with Finn Leo Kinnunen -- who barely got a look in during the six-and-three-quarter-hour enduro -- Rodriguez made everybody look silly with a five-lap margin of victory. Not only that, he'd been blackflagged for overtaking during a yellow-flag period following a first-lap accident. Called into the pits for a roasting from the clerk of the course, Rodriguez lost several laps. Once back out on the track, down in 12th place, the charge began.
The spellbinding footage includes rare interviews with Rodriguez and his JWA team-mate Jo Siffert, with whom Pedro had so many great battles during their dominance of the world sportscar championship in 1970-'71. Perhaps the most telling part of the five-minute clip, however, is the frank insight from legendary JWA team manager John Wyer. The former Aston Martin and Ford team chief, who had masterminded both firms' success at Le Mans, went on to oversee Porsche's world beating. Wyer offers an appraisal of Rodriguez's status within the team and explains the psychology of the then modern-day racing driver.
Cruelly, both Rodriguez and Siffert, who had also achieved success in grand prix racing, were killed the following year. Pedro lost his life in July at the wheel of a Ferrari in a low-key sportscar race at the Norisring in Germany, while Swiss ace Jo perished in a BRM at Brands during the non-championship Formula 1 Rothmans Victory Race in October. A tragic waste...
BOAC 1000kms, Brands Hatch, April 12 1970
1. Pedro Rodriguez (MEX)/Leo Kinnunen (FIN)-JW Automotive Porsche 917K, 235 laps
2. Vic Elford (GB)/Denny Hulme (NZ)-Porsche Salzburg Porsche 917K, 230 laps
3. Richard Attwood (GB)/Hans Herrmann (D)-Porsche Salzburg Porsche 917K, 227 laps
4. Gijs van Lennep (NL)/Hans Laine (FIN)-Racing Team AAW Porsche 908/02 227 laps
5. Chris Amon (NZ)/Arturo Merzario (I)-SpA Ferrari SEFAC Ferrari 512S, 225 laps
6. Gerard Larrousse (F)/Gerhard Koch (D)-Martini International Racing Team Porsche 908/02, 217 laps
7. Jo Bonnier (S)/Reine Wisell (S)-Ecurie Bonnier Lola T70 Mk3B, 217 laps
8. Jacky Ickx (B)/Jackie Oliver (GB)-SpA Ferrari SEFAC Ferrari 512S, 213 laps
9. John L'Amie (GB)/Tommy Reid (GB)-John L'Amie Porsche 910, 211 laps
10. John Lepp (GB)/George Silverwood (GB)-Central Garage (Mirfield) Ltd Chevron B8 BMW, 211 laps 
Авто/Мото
Simply the best!! Our Pedro Rodriguez!
For me, this was the golden age of sports car racing.
For me too!
Was there that day and it is still the best race I have ever attended. I recall both Gulf cars having black tyre marks down their flanks where Pedro & Jo rubbed wheels. I also recall Barry Smiths Lola T70 pirouetting on a stream running across the track in front of the grandstand on completion of the first lap having started on 2 wet and 2 dry tyres! Also remember Herbie Mueller in a Ferrari 512 punting a Chevron out of the way at paddock. Unfortunately I was also at Brands when Jo Siffert was killed in his BRM.
I was there too, and it was the ONLY race I ever attended: I just happened to be in England for business! The good old days...
Ooh, did I enjoy that race although it was raining cats and dogs. A day off to Brands changed a bit of our weekly routine at the Chelsea college of Aeronautical & Automobile Engineering! Did I study overthere? Why don't you ask my former classmate Tony Dron, who I saw in his very first race, competing in a FF1600 against James Hunt at Brands club circuit.
That's what you call real driving.
“Why doesn't someone tell Pedro it's raining?”
- Chris Amon
I wonder if John Wyer would've survived in today's over-regulated,and very political racing world.