The PORSCHE CAN AM CAR RACING HERITAGE

 

The early 1970s was a glorious time for Porsche racing history. Porsche had been successful in endurance road racing in Europe, but new racing rules became overly restrictive. Porsche had been competing in the Constructors World Championship, which changed their rules and disallowed cars with engines larger than 3.0 liters, automatically disqualifying the 5.0 liter Porsche 917 cars. On the left side of the pond, the Canadian American Challenge Cup (Can Am) had been a North American road racing series since 1966, offering large purses and was virtually without restrictive rules. North America was a major market for Porsche so it was natural for them to transfer their road racing focus to a venue where they could be most competitive and visible, and they did.

The Porsche 917 was engineered to do precisely that and more. In its finest form, its twin turbocharged 5.4 liter 12 cylinder boxer motor developed as much as 1190 horsepower. Track records were set at over 240 mph, which was unheard of at the time by a wide margin. A 16 cylinder engine was produced and tested but never raced. The only restrictions from the Can Am organization were that cars be equipped with certain safety features, be of two-seater configuration and have two side doors. This setting was a racing car designers dream come true, having no limitations on engine power, suspension, aerodynamics or any other performance restrictions. It was one of road racings most exciting eras.

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Mark Donohues 1973 917-30

Through 1971 McLaren cars were usually the Can Am series winners in their 750 horsepower cars. That winning streak turned around in the 1972 and 1973 Can Am racing campaigns, when the Penske Team, racing Porsche 917 cars, dominated the road racing series. American drivers George Follmer won the Series title in 1972 and Mark Donohue repeated the victories in 1973 by a wide margin. Track records set by the Porsche cars during this period would not be superseded for over a decade.

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Can Am 1972 Can Am 1973 Can Am Edmonton


A few Can Am Racing Posters, there were many others


Porsche leveraged their Can Am racing victories in advertisements for their production cars in both the USA and in Europe. They emphasized the similarities of their 914 Porsche production models with their racing cars, including the 2-seater mid-engine design, neutral weight balance and great handling. Here are a couple of examples, there are others:

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The Pace Porsche at a Mosport Can Am race, a German ad and Three White Porsches

 

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Real 914 Porsche Can Am pace car

I wonder why Porsche selected black and not yellow as the primary color for a 914 Porsche Can Am car?