24h Le Mans
This year marks the 45th anniversary of Porsche
The 917’s Le Mans debut was far from a smooth ride due to the furious debate, kerfuffle and controversy caused by a rather clever piece of technology. When the car was homologated by the CSI (International Sporting Commission, the predecessor of the current FIA, International Automobile Federation), it was fitted with active flaps mounted on either side of the rear wing.
During preliminary testing for the 24 Hours on 30 March and 1 April 1969, the 917’s German driver Rolf Stommelen shattered the track record in 3:30.700. Active wings had also become a feature in Formula One but following two separate accidents at the Spanish Grand Prix involving the Lotus-Fords of Jochen Rindt and Graham Hill, the CSI opted to ban them. The decision was taken in early May, just over a month before Le Mans.
Having being specifically designed around this mobile system which dictated the efficiency of the car’s aerodynamics and its handling, the 917 became undriveable with its flaps fixed in a static position. Playing the driver safety card, Porsche finally obtained permission to restore the wings to active mode for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Stommelen broke the lap record once again in qualifying (3:22.9, equating to an average speed of 238 kph (147.9 mph)), more than twelve seconds faster than Jo Siffert’s pole-winning time in a Porsche 908 the previous year! However none of the three 917s managed to finish the race.
Active wings and flaps being permanently banned for the 1970 season, fundamental changes were made to the 917 and, as a result, Porsche finally claimed its first overall victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Jean-Philippe Doret / ACO - English translation by David Goward
Photo: LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES, 24 HOURS OF LE MANS, 14–15 JUNE 1969, RACE. The raised active flap can be seen at the end of the rear wing on the Porsche 917 of Vic Elford and Richard Attwood, who had built up a substantial lead when forced out of the race three hours from the end.
