Carrera DIGITAL 132 Porsche 917K Sebring "No.16

Carrera DIGITAL 132 Porsche 917K Sebring "No. 16"

Sebring 1970
Carrera DIGITAL 132 Porsche 917K Sebring "No.16"
Item No.: 20030760
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There are races that become legendary for a variety of reasons.
Because of legendary duels (z.B. Senna vs. Prost at the 1988 Japanese Grand Prix), accidents (Lauda at the Nürburgring), or, for example, vehicle retirements (most recently: Toyota at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, retirement on the final lap).

Sebring 1970 was such a race:
The FERRARI factory team was under pressure because it hadn’t won at Sebring in years. So they entered four Ferrari 512S, three of them as Spyders (and a 312P coupe from the NART team from the USA). Main rival Porsche fielded everything it had in its racing car lineup at the time: 917K, 908/02, 906, 911T. Five 917Ks alone were entered in the race, though only car No.Car No. 15 ofJ.Wyer the GULF Automotive J.Wyer team (drivers: Joe Siffert, Leo Kinnunen, Pedro Rodriguez) crossed the finish line, albeit in fourth place overall.

The two newest Porsches from the CARRERA lineup, on the other hand, failed to finish the actual race.

The beautiful blue 917K with white stripes from the Porsche/Audi factory team, driven by Hans Hermann and Rudi Lins, had to retire from the race after just 28 laps due to engine problems. The car is Art.Nr . available from CARRERA under item numberArt.Nr . 23823 for the large-scale DIGITAG 124.

For fans of the EVOLUTION series DIGITAL 132, DIGITAL 132 there is the other 917K from the Porsche factory team for the home starting grid: the white race car with blue stripes driven by Vic Elford and Kurt Ahrens. In the race at the old Hendricks Army Airfield, this car also retired after 61 laps because it was rear-ended, damaging the suspension and bodywork.

Who won the race?
The FERRARI 512S with start number 21, driven by Nino Vaccarella, Ignazio Giunti, and Mario Andretti. After Mercario and Andretti had led almost the entire race in their Ferrari 512S Spyder, starting number 19J.Wyer, andJ.Wyerengaged in fierce battles with theJ.WyerPorsche, the car had to pit due to transmission problems and retire. Siffert in the Gulf Porsche took the lead. Half an hour before the end of the race, the Ferrari team manager decided to put the more experienced Mario Andretti in the cockpit of the Ferrari 512S, number 21, previously driven by Giunti and Vaccarella. Andretti then launched a daring comeback, as the Ferrari was a lap behind. Siffert had to pit due to problems with the front wheel hub, which meant the Porsche 908/02 with drivers Peter Revson and Steve McQueen (yes, THAT Steve McQueen!!!) was suddenly in first place. With four laps to go, Andretti overtook the Porsche 908, but then had to make a brief pit stop to refuel, allowing Revson in the 908 to retake the lead. However, on the final lap, Mario Andretti overtook Revson in his 908 practically at the finish line, securing the victory for Ferrari in the 5-liter sports car class.

Best regards
, CoMod Lotus