Porsche 917 at Laguna Seca

Dangerous Doug · #1 (**permalink**) 02-11-2011, 02:38 PM

http://www.canepa.com/about/video_917_09.html

Very cool historics video. Don't let the warm up lap fool you...

DD

86Sebring · #2 (**permalink**) 02-11-2011, 03:01 PM

wow, watching that i feel like Joe Siffert

lovehamr · #3 (**permalink**) 02-11-2011, 04:29 PM

That was great, thanks for posting it.

Steve

tkb289 · #4 (**permalink**) 02-11-2011, 06:57 PM

Doug,

Nice find ... the exhaust note reminds me of the movie Le Mans ... great car footage, but as I recall the movie was a bit lacking in dialog, but with cars like this who needs dialog!

TXBLU · #5 (**permalink**) 02-11-2011, 07:35 PM

I think I saw 1.9 Gs at the bottom of the corkscrew, and well over .5 Gs of acceleration in second gear. I love those machines! Imagine a factory prepped and backed 917 being driven at the absolute limit without regard for its historical value. Stunning machines, and the sound is awesome! Gotta love those flat-12 engines.

Eric

timsullivan · #6 (**permalink**) 02-11-2011, 10:01 PM

Fantastic. Simply fantastic!

Rick Parker · #7 (**permalink**) 02-12-2011, 01:26 AM

Any of you guys remember Penske & Co with Mark Donohue when they would show up at Laguna with the 917-10K that had over 1500HP in qualifying trim and about 1200 in race trim. The lap record on the old circuit before the infield was added had a a 917 and about 59 second laps. There were 2 races in the Can Am Series, the 917's and all the other cars. That was the demise of the series. 12cyl turbod and nothing close!

Three Peaks · #8 (**permalink**) 02-12-2011, 09:40 AM

The sound of that car is just plain porn to a car guy.

I wish he would bring that car up for the Portland Historics someday. It's obvious watching that video and after watching some of the Historics in Portland the last few years that some drivers take their historics driving a lot more serious than others. A couple original GT40's drive the Historics here every year and they really push them.

I wish they still had some of those unlimited series like the Can Am series and Trans Am.

Bob

Zoom This · #9 (**permalink**) 02-12-2011, 09:59 AM

Check out the stats and history. I took this pic at the Historics several years ago.

mr0077 · #10 (**permalink**) 02-12-2011, 10:53 AM

Thanks for posting, I'm a big fan of the 917, particularly the 917/30.

So this brings up a bench racing question...would the 917/30 beat an Audi R10 (or R15) in a long-distance race Assuming both in as-new condition with current rubber and factory backing)? I have no doubt that the 917/30 could beat anything on the planet in a "short" race.

FredBMOC · #11 (**permalink**) 02-12-2011, 11:04 AM

Totally awesome!

Scott_Tucker · #12 (**permalink**) 02-12-2011, 09:03 PM

I work for Canepa. That is an awesome car. Our website has lots of photos and videos to drool over.

Dangerous Doug · #13 (**permalink**) 02-12-2011, 09:12 PM

Scott: What do you do at Canepa? I was just there today with my brother, and went through the museum and got to walk the shop floor. Love the Muira in the shop.

DD

Scott_Tucker · #14 (**permalink**) 02-12-2011, 09:23 PM

I probably saw you there. I was working on the Cobra. Yes, I love the way the Miura looks but there is no way I could drive it. It's made for short people.

Did Bruce give you the tour?

Dangerous Doug · #15 (**permalink**) 02-12-2011, 11:23 PM

I think Bruce was heading out the door about the time we showed up.

I had the black 289FIA Cobra in the parking lot. I was there from about 1:20-3. Black pullover, jeans and cowboy boots---sporting a shaved head. Saw three guys on the shop floor, we asked from the catwalk if it was okay to go into the back and someone directed us down the stairs.

My brother had heard from me about the Canepa Museum, but was totally blown away as we went through two floors of museum, then the shop floor and finally the storage area in the back. LOTS of cool stuff to see, and the atmosphere is relaxed and not uptight at all. Always a pleasure to check out what's going on down there.

After that, we took a cruise down West Cliff. Great day for a Cobra drive.

DD

Scott_Tucker · #16 (**permalink**) 02-13-2011, 12:09 AM

I might have seen you but I was pretty intent on my work. I did see your car in the lot though. I don't usually work Saturdays but this project needs to be ready for the Amelia Island Concours on March 12th.

We have a pretty loose policy on letting people wander the shop. If Bruce is around he'll give tours.

This place is pretty crazy. I knew about it for years but didn't know it was as big and high end as it is. We usually get 2 - 3 new cars a week so there is always something new and interesting. We have 5 Cobras here right now.

*13* · #17 (**permalink**) 02-13-2011, 07:49 AM

The most wicked racecar ever! Thanks for posting!