Pending their comeback in the premier prototype class, LM P1 in 2014, this video relives a page of history: the fabulous victory of the 917 at the 24 Hours of Le Mans 1971.

It was the year that marked the end of the traditional 'en épi' start formation, and the rolling start was adopted, that is still in force today. In 1969 in the last fully traditional start, Jacky Ickx crossed the circuit at a walk as he thought it endangered drivers, he took the time to strap in before taking off, while the vast majority of his opponents attached their harnesses once on the Mulsanne Straight at over 300 km/h. This gesture of discontent did not prevent him from winning the event with his Ford GT 40 with the British driver Jackie Oliver.

The big rivalry between Porsche and Ferrari was at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1970, the beautiful Italian cars did not have factory participation in the 24 hours in 1971, however nine 512 prototypes were present, all entered by private teams. They faced no less than thirty-three Porsches in prototypes and GT classes combined. Lap times dropped spctacularly. The Porsche 917 L (long version) No.18, Pedro Rodriguez set the pole position time in record breaking 3:13.9, and more than 350 km/h on the Mulsanne straight. Despite a great Ferrari-Porsche duel, the German manufacturer won with the 917 for the second consecutive year. On the French side, Matra would have to wait another year ...

The 917 bowed out on a fabulous victory entrusted to the expert hands of Helmut Marko and Gijs van Lennep, the No.22 short body won after travelling 5,335.313 km at an average speed of 222.304 km/h, thus establishing a new distance record.

In this video (English commentary) is the story of this fabulous victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

For more videos go to www.lemans-tv.com

Thierry Arman - ACO