T
wist and hold the key to start the
engine. Shifting is in a standard
H-pattern, though there’s some
disagreement whether the gearbox
has four gears or five installed at the
moment. Idle speed is around 1,000 rpm
like you’re used to, but all the power is up
high, so give it more revs than usual when
you release the clutch, or you’ll stall that
legendary Porsche 917 in front of everyone.
The track surface is bitterly cold and a
bit damp. The car’s been sitting a while, so
the Avon steamrollers have zero heat in
them. But at least they’re new.
This rain set has a few laughable
grooves cut in, but we’ll be staying
off the wet spots, won’t we?
That nice British man joining ustrackside—Richard Atwood was his name,
just happened to drive a 917K to Porsche’s
first Le Mans win in 1970—said to avoid
goosing the throttle and you’ll be fine.
Fellow Le Mans winner David Donohue
is less sure, which is why you’re following
his 911 right now.
Someone is trying to tell me something
through the Secret Service earpiece I had
crammed under my helmet, but all I’m
able to hear is Miss Othmar wah-wah-ing
in my ear against the fury of 12 air-cooled
cylinders screaming 600 horsepower
behind my head.
Two-way radios weren’t this good in
1969, but even if they were, race teams
would have used handheld boards for all
the good the walkie is doing me.Dreading what might happen if I take a
hand off the steering wheel for more than
a few seconds, I paw at the microphone
clipped to my chest. “I can’t hear anything
you’re saying,” I scream. “I’m just going to
follow David wherever he goes.” I’d find
out later no one in the pit could under-
stand me, either.
Reluctance to remove a hand from the
wheel had little to do with a fear the 917
might pick that moment to get loose;
rather, it was the unassisted steering,
which requires two hands in anything
more than a gentle curve. Sonoma
Raceway isn’t gentle.
It would be easier if my arms weren’t
stretched out straight in front of me, but
scooting down in the seat was the onlyHISTORIC DRIVE I 1970 Porsche 917K vs. 2014 Porsche 918 Spyder