Issue link: http://digital.nexsitepublishing.com/i/1038794
OCTOBER 2018 52 In the pitlane, pre-race, Le Mans, 1970. over 3 seconds faster than his pole position lap! Denis Jenkinson writing for Motor Sport magazine opined that the Formula One cars would not beat Rodriguez' lap record. Jenks was correct. In June, the best Grand Prix cars could not get within 10 seconds of this time during their race (which Rodriguez won for BRM). Siffert and Redman went on to win the Spa 1000 KM at an average speed greater than 149 mph. Le Mans, 1970 Chassis 017/004 was next entered at the 1970 24 Hours of Le Mans to be driven by Siffert and Redman. As a result, the car appears in the film Le Mans actual race footage as Steve McQueen character Michael Delaney's number 20. Siffert's fast getaway in the last ever standing start at Le Mans gave the filmmakers an assist by having the 'McQueen' car leading in race footage of the first lap as far as Tertre Rouge. Brian Redman described driving the 917 in the rain at Le Mans to a PNWR group in 2009: "You know, going down the Mulsanne straight, I well remember, (on) Saturday afternoon, it's still light but the rain is pouring down and of course, water's coming in, in every direction, as usual, and another car is, you know, in the distance. All you see, all you can see is a ball of spray ahead of you. You can't see what the car is or even where it is. And then as the speed's getting up around 170 or 180 miles an hour, you'd hit a patch of water and wuuump! -as the rear wheels broke loose, hah! You drive into the spray and you hope that the guy's on the right hand side of the road; usually were, but…" On lap 156, just after 2 AM, Siffert was driving with a five lap lead and made a pass of three slower cars on the front straight. In 2009 Brian recounted the fatal moment: "Siffert came out from the chicane behind three slower cars and they were all sort of having their own race. They were spread out a bit. And he came diving in to go between the right-hand car and the pits and right in front of the Porsche pit, if he timed it deliberately he couldn't have done it any better, he missed top gear. So, we all heard the engine, 'bwaaap' ….that was it." Waiting to go out, Pacific Raceways, 2018. Byron Sanborn drives 017/004 at NW Historic Races, 2018.