Changing Lanes in 1972For 1972, the Commission Sportive Internationale (CSI) changed the Makes rules, basically rendering the 917 obsolete for Group 5 Sports Cars.
At the time, Porsche was also involved with the Can-Am Challenge, having decided to re-purpose their racer to this end, and raise their growing profile in the North American market.
Can-Am racing patch, circa 1972
They created a new light-weight spyder body for the car and re-christened it the 917-10. At the time, they were also experimenting with engine turbo-charging, giving the car 850 bhp.
The new car, fielded by Penske Racing, was initially driven by Mark Donohue, but a testing accident sidelined him for the season. Driving duties were then taken up by George Follmer, who successfully broke McLaren Racing�s five-year dominance of the series, and won the Championship.
Penske Sunoco Porsche 917-30 - Can Am 1973
Pen & ink on vellum, digitally painted
� Paul Chenard 2007
Limited editions available.
917-30 � A Monster MachineFor 1973, Roger Penske and Mark Donohue redesigned the 917-10, giving a longer wheelbase, a more aerodynamic body, and a much more powerful twin-turbo-charged engine � 5.4-liters, 12 cylinders, 1250 bhp�s worth! The resulting top speed was 414 km/h (257 mph)!
The Penske Sunoco Porsche 917-30 was unstoppable, with the Donohue-driven car winning six out of the 8 races, and taking the Championship.
For 1974, the fuel-consumption rule-change, and the dwindling interest in Can-Am basically killed the series as it was, and the Porsche 917-30.
Martini Racing/Herbert Muller Interserie winner poster
80 cm x 37 cm, autographed by Muller, 1974.The 917-30 found a renewed purpose in the European-based Interserie. In the hands of Swiss driver Herbert M�ller, it was the winner of the 1974 Championship.
41.5"x 18.5" (105.4cm x 46.8cm), latex paint on plywood
