Porsche 917K Onboard Video
filmed during Rennsport Reunion IV, in 2011 at Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey, California. Chassis 016 was originally driven by Pedro Rodriguez and Leo Kinnunen for John Wyer’s Gulf Oil sponsored racing team during the 1970 World Sportscar Championship (what is today the World Endurance Championship, essentially). Pedro and Leo won three races, out of seven that the 917 would win that year, in this particular chassis: At Brands Hatch, Monza, and Watkins Glen. It competed in the 1970 24 Hours of Le Mans, but blew its engine. It can be seen in some of the race footage used in Steve McQueen’s movie “Le Mans” (#21 with the straight blue stripe). It also raced at Zeltwig (Red Bull Ring) and Imola in 1970. In 1971, the car was used as a “T” car, a practice/testing car, and was used by Pedro as his benchmark car since it was his favorite one to drive. In ’71, many of the 917 drivers used it during practice, including Jo Siffert, Jackie Oliver, Derek Bell, and Richard Atwood. The car is highly original, with the distinction of being the only Gulf Porsche 917 to retain its original chassis and serial number. The Porsche factory rebuilt/refreshed the car in 1975, when they sold it to its second owner, Mr Gerry Sutterfield, who took great care of the car during the 20+ years that he and his sons owned it before selling it to its current owner.
