24h Le Mans
Photo : Cécile BONARDEL - ACO/Nikon
"Planes took off and landed during the race, tells Vic Elford. There were no concrete barriers, just bundles of straw. When we finished in the gravel trap, we had to get out of the car ourselves because nobody came to get us! In addition, the safety car did not exist: they waved a yellow flag to tell us to slow down! "
"Security conditions were not the same as today," added Gerard Larrousse. Not just the track, but also cars! The Porsche 917 was difficult to tame. At every race, there were serious injuries or death. When we got into the car, we never knew if it might be the last time. "
Sebring is a unique moment in the careers of these two champions. "I have participated three times in 12 hours: one with a 911, another with a 908 and third with 917 the year when we won," said Frenchman. "At the time, the machines were not as reliable as today. Our fight was less aggressive because we had to spare the car if we wanted to reach the finish. We also knew that if we touched an opponent, the accident could be dramatic. Only Mario Andretti was more aggressive. "
"Sebring was an important moment of my career," added the Englishman. "I had won Daytona and it added another link to that chain. "
When asked their views on racing today, Larrousse had a brief response: "You can not really compare the race now with the race in that era and you ca not compare what is not comparable." In contrast, Elford has a more definite answer: "Today, we too to format things too much. Why abandon the Porsche Flat Six and change the Ferrari V12? A Ferrari without V12 is no longer a Ferrari. Why try to put everyone on an equal footing? We are not equal, after all, is a competition. "
The two friends, who have remained close, were eager to return to the paddock with the hope of seeing friends of their time.
Interview by Cécile Bonardel
