Porsche 917 Spyders – Building a Racing Empire Part VIII

Words by: Glen Smale
Images by: Glen Smale & Corporate Archives Porsche AG

Ferdinand Piëch knew it, the FIA/CSI knew it, and the motor racing public knew it too. The Porsche 917 KH and LH variants were only ever going to be eligible for three racing seasons – 1969, 1970 and 1971. After that, the 917 would no longer be eligible for the International Championship for Manufacturers. But, there was no doubt in anyone’s mind that the 5-litre Group 5 cars, principally the Porsche 917 and Ferrari 512 S/M, were going to be a hard act to follow.