Porsche 917: The Winning Formula

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Summary: Porsche 917: The Winning Formula
Review: "Porsche 917: The Winning Formula" traces the history of the engineering and development of the Porsche 917, from its origins as a challenger to Ferrari through victory at LeMans and onto the later development of the all-conquering Can Am Porsche 917-30. Morgan uses interviews with those most closely tied to the project development and provides insights far beyond the typical photo-history and race history books. This is one of the best written, best researched and most enjoyable books of its type I have read in a long time. Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Porsche 917: The Winning Formula
Review: "Porsche 917: The Winning Formula" traces the history of the engineering and development of the Porsche 917, from its origins as a challenger to Ferrari through victory at LeMans and onto the later development of the all-conquering Can Am Porsche 917-30. Morgan uses interviews with those most closely tied to the project development and provides insights far beyond the typical photo-history and race history books. This is one of the best written, best researched and most enjoyable books of its type I have read in a long time. Highly recommended.

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Summary: A great reference
Review: I build scale model cars and this book is a great reference tool. It covers all of Porsche's racing cars of the '60s leading toward the development of the 917 and recounts all the roadblocks and pitfalls along the way. People who are not saavy about the real world of large-stakes motorsport can be surprised to learn about how much rule-bending goes on. "Unfair advantages" are aggressiviely sought through research and experimentation. An interesting aspect of the 917 is much refinement and modification was needed to turn this complicated and dangerous car into a successful racer.

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Summary: The 917 was all about winning - nothing else.
Review: I have so many good memories of researching this book, such as talking to Vic Elford in his Florida home while trying not to stare at his trophies and of Hans Mezger explaining in detail the sixteen cylinder engine in Porsche's museum. Then I recall with a smile the surprised looks on the other (VIP) diners' faces in the Weissach restuarant when Helmut Flegl roared with laughter at the memory of Mark Donohue giving him a (terrifying) ride in his speedboat. To do the 917 story justice proved to be a real challenge, because it is a story about people and passion. And make no mistake, those passions still run hot even some thirty years later. Those involved were all gifted people, but so typical of those at the top of the motor racing world in their common refusal to accept defeat. The dogged determination of the engineers to overcome their technical problems is inspiring, but how the drivers were prepared to drive the very unstable early cars at speeds over 200 mph is just beyond belief. I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did writing it.

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Summary: When I was twelve
Review: I was twelve in 1971 and lived in Liege. My dad got us tickets to the 1000km of Spa. Sitting along the grid across from pit row. To this day I can close my eyes and see two powder blue Gulf 917's entering the final straight from Virage de la Source. As I remember it Oliver let up just before the finish and Derek almost got pasted him. (I think he may have let up a little too) the hairs on the back of neck still stand up...WOW.

The magic of the 971's touched my life. This is a wonderful book. Pick it up and let the magic rub off on you.

Thank you Peter Morgan, and you too Dad.