FROM THE ARCHIVES

Opened in 1969 to replace the featureless Zeltweg airfield circuit, the undulating Österreichring was renowned for the steep climb away from the pit exit at the end of the main straight…

Digging deep into the photo files

The pits are a sea of calm ahead of the 1970 1000km event at the famous Austrian circuit. Porsche 908/02 #5 – driven by Jöst and Pankl – would qualify in 11th, while its team mate #6, piloted by Larousse and Lins, qualified 9th. In number one spot was the 917 of Rodriguez and Kinnunen. In a tense race, one of the first to fall by the wayside was, indeed, the pole sitting 917 which expired after just four laps with a dropped valve. The 170 lap race was won by Siffert and Redman driving another 917, at an average speed of 122.3mph. The #5 908/02 finished fifth overall, and third in the 3.0-litre Prototype class, while #6 finished third, and second in class behind the Alfa Romeo T33/3 of de Adamaich and Pescarolo.