1970 12 Hours of Sebring

The 1970 12 Hours of Sebring was an endurance race held at the 5.2 mile (8.3 km) Sebring International Raceway, Sebring, Florida, United States on March 21, 1970. It was the twentieth running of the endurance classic and the second round of the 1970 World Sportscar Championship season.[1]

Sebring International Raceway in 1970
Ferrari 512 S

Pre-race

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With the 1969 to 1971 rules allowing sportscars with 5-litre-engines if at least 25 were made, which did Porsche early in 1969 with the Porsche 917 and Ferrari late in the year with the Ferrari 512S, up to 50 V12-powered race cars were available for the 1970 World Sportscar Championship endurance racing season, entered either by factory-backed teams, or by independent customers if they could find funding and pilots that could handle a 500+ hp car competitively for at least six hours, or up to 24h in some events.

John Wyer's Gulf-Porsche team had just come fresh off a 1-2 victory at the 1970 24 Hours of Daytona 7 weeks earlier. So far, Porsche was ahead in the championship against their only real rival, Ferrari. When the teams descended upon the isolated and very bumpy 5.2 mile Sebring airfield circuit in central Florida, qualifying was a mix of Ferraris and Porsches: American Mario Andretti qualified the #19 works Ferrari 512S Spyder on pole position at 121 mph at 2:33.5- 5 mph and 6.5 seconds faster than Chris Amon's time the year previous in a works 3-litre Ferrari 312P prototype and almost a second ahead of the #14 Jo Siffert/Brian Redman Gulf-Porsche 917K. Following them were the Porsche/Audi USA sponsored Porsche 917K driven by Vic Elford and Kurt Ahrens Jr., the #20 works Ferrari 512S Spyder of Jacky Ickx/Peter Schetty, the #15 Gulf-Porsche 917K of Pedro Rodríguez/Leo Kinnunen, and a NART-entered Ferrari 512S Spyder of Sam Posey/Ronnie Bucknum and the #21 works Ferrari 512S of Ignazio Giunti/Nino Vaccarella.

Race

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The 1970 running is considered by many to be the best 12 Hours of Sebring ever. This was the first 12 Hours of Sebring where the cars used a rolling start, a procedure similar to the start which is used at the Indianapolis 500, and has been used at every Sebring 12 Hours to this day. Before 1970, the drivers did a traditional Le Mans start, but the events of the 1969 Le Mans race in which English driver John Woolfe was killed driving his Porsche 917 after a crash in which he did not have his seatbelts fastened led the governing body to ban Le Mans starts on grounds of safety.

A group of 5-liter entries led away; Andretti led from pole position, followed by Siffert, Elford, Ickx, Rodriguez and the rest of the field, which included works Matra and Alfa Romeo prototypes, running in the 3-liter class. There was an accident between two Lolas- Bob Brown in the #26 car would continue, but Mike De Udy in the other Lola would retire after just one lap.

Ickx then moved ahead of Elford into 3rd, behind Siffert and Andretti, the former setting a fastest lap of 2:32.77 in an effort to catch Andretti, and he did for 2 laps- but Andretti regained it then lost it again when he pitted for fuel and a driver change. Other teams stopped for fuel and driver changes, as Andretti switched out with Merzario and Siffert with Redman. The #19's stop dropped it down to 5th, and moments later, Redman brought in the #14 car with electrical trouble. It was a lengthy pitstop, and the car dropped down the order. The order now was the #15 Porsche 917K of Rodriguez/Kinnunen, #16 Porsche 917K of Elford/Ahrens Jr, and the 3 works Ferraris. Near the 3rd hour, Rodriguez brought the leading car into the pits with a puncture. Although they were able to change the punctured tire and send Rodriguez out again, it was 4 laps behind the leading #19 Ferrari. The #16 car crashed and was out of the race with irreparable suspension damage. The Porsche 917K's problems allowed all three works Ferraris to lead the field into the night. And running in 5th place was a Solar Productions/Gulf sponsored #48 Porsche 908/02 of movie star and racer Steve McQueen (whose leg was in a cast) and Peter Revson, who was battling with the #33 works Alfa Romeo T33/3 of Toine Hezemans/Masten Gregory.

When night fell, the #20 Ickx/Schetty Ferrari went out after 151 laps with a blown head gasket, and the #21 Giunti/Vaccarella car was in the pits being repaired. Although the #19 Andretti/Merzario was still leading, and the #14 Redman/Kinnunen car, which had suffered newly designed front hub failures previously which caused it to drop out of contention, was out after 211 laps due to accident damage (Kinnunen and Siffert had switched cars; Siffert was now driving with Rodriguez). Then, Andretti brought the leading car in with gearbox problems. Although Merzario took the car back out again in the lead, the second-placed #15 Rodriguez/Siffert Porsche 917K was coming back after being 12 laps down for a while they were able to make up most of this deficit after the #19 Ferrari was in the pits. The Solar Productions Porsche 908/02 was in 3rd and the #21 Giunti/Vaccarella car was in 4th. And at 9:46 p.m. The #19 Ferrari was out of the race, which put the Rodriguez/Siffert Porsche 917K in the lead and the McQueen/Revson car was in 2nd.

With 30 minutes remaining, one car still running and desperate for an overall victory, Ferrari team manager Mauro Forghieri decided to replace Giunti with the faster and more experienced Andretti in the #21 car. Although the #21 car was a lap behind; Andretti went out, and pushed very hard; unlapped himself and was making up time quickly on Siffert and Revson. But then all of a sudden, Siffert brought the #15 Gulf-Porsche 917K into the pits with front hub failure, the same problems which had stricken its sister car. This long pitstop allowed the Solar Productions Porsche 908/02 to take 1st- but Andretti had managed to pass Revson and take the lead back. But all of a sudden Andretti brought the car back into the pits for fuel- and the McQueen/Revson Porsche took the lead once again. But Andretti was not about to give up so easily – with only 1 lap to go he stormed out of the pits and chased down Revson, and at the end of the 5.2-mile lap Andretti crossed the line first, with Revson second (who managed to score a 3-liter class win), Masten Gregory in the #33 Alfa was third and the #15 Gulf-Porsche was fourth. Of the 68 cars that started the race, the brutal Sebring circuit managed to whittle the field down to 28 cars.

Official results

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Pos Class No Team Drivers Chassis Engine Laps
1 S
5.0
21   SpA Ferrari SEFAC   Ignazio Giunti
  Nino Vaccarella
  Mario Andretti
Ferrari 512 S Ferrari 5.0L V12 248
2 P
3.0
48   Solar Productions   Steve McQueen
  Peter Revson
Porsche 908/02 Porsche 3.0L Flat-8 248
3 P
3.0
33   Autodelta SpA   Toine Hezemans
  Masten Gregory
Alfa Romeo T33/3 Alfa Romeo 3.0L V8 247
4 S
5.0
15   John Wyer Automotive Engineering   Pedro Rodriguez
  Leo Kinnunen
  Jo Siffert
Porsche 917K Porsche 4.5L Flat-12 244
5 P
3.0
34   Equipe Matra-Simca   Henri Pescarolo
  Johnny Servoz-Gavin
Matra-Simca MS650 Matra 3.0L V12 242
6 P
3.0
22   North American Racing Team (NART)   Mike Parkes
  Chuck Parsons
Ferrari 312 P Coupe Ferrari 3.0L V12 240
7 P
3.0
46   Martini International   Gerhard Koch
  Gérard Larrousse
  Richard Attwood
Porsche 908/02 Porsche 3.0L Flat-8 236
8 P
3.0
31   Autodelta SpA   Piers Courage
  Andrea de Adamich
Alfa Romeo T33/3 Alfa Romeo 3.0L V8 231
9 P
3.0
32   Autodelta SpA   Rolf Stommelen
  Nanni Galli
Alfa Romeo T33/3 Alfa Romeo 3.0L V8 230
10 GT
+5.0
1   Troy Promotions, Inc.   Tony DeLorenzo
  Dick Lang
Chevrolet Corvette Chevrolet 7.0L V8 219
11 GT
+5.0
3   Bob Johnson   Bob Johnson
  Robert R. Johnson
  Jim Greendyke
Chevrolet Corvette Chevrolet 7.0L V8 214
12 P
3.0
35   Equipe Matra-Simca   Dan Gurney
  François Cevert
Matra-Simca MS650 Matra 3.0L V12 213
13 GT
2.0
53   Brumos Porsche-Audi   Peter Gregg
  Pete Harrison
Porsche 911T Porsche 2.0L Flat-6 205
14 T
5.0
40   Takondo Racing   Vince Gimondo
  Chuck Dietrich
Chevrolet Camaro Chevrolet 5.0L V8 203
15 GT
2.0
52   Jacques Duval   Jacques Duval
  Bob Bailey
  George Nicolas
Porsche 911T Porsche 2.0L Flat-6 201
16 T
5.0
39   Bob Mitchell   Bob Mitchell
  Charlie Kemp
Chevrolet Camaro Chevrolet 5.0L V8 191
17 GT
+5.0
9   Mamie Reynolds Gregory   Bob Grossman
  Don Yenko
Chevrolet Camaro Chevrolet 7.0L V8 189
18 T
5.0
95   Bruce Behrens Racing   John Tremblay
  Bill McDill
Chevrolet Camaro Chevrolet 5.0L V8 187
19 P
2.0
73   Ring Free Oil Racing   Janet Guthrie
  Rosemary Smith
  Judy Kondratiff
Austin-Healey Sprite BMC 1.3L I4 187
20 GT
+5.0
2   Troy-Promotions, Inc.   Jerry Thompson
  John Mahler
Chevrolet Corvette Chevrolet 7.0L V8 187
21 T
5.0
91   Flem-Car Enterprises   Jim Corwin
  Donna Mae Mims
Chevrolet Camaro Chevrolet 5.0L V8 184
22 T
5.0
92   Preston Hood   John Elliott
  Don Gwynne Jr.
Chevrolet Camaro Chevrolet 5.0L V8 182
23 T
2.0
50   Nationwide Food Brokers   Mike Rahal
  Hugh Wise
  Werner Frank
Porsche 906 Porsche 1.9L Flat-6 181
24 T
5.0
37   Collins-Wilson Racing   Vincent P. Collins
  Larry Wilson
Ford Mustang Ford 4.7L V8 175
25 GT
2.0
57   Waldron Motors   John Belpreche
  Jim Gammon
  Ray Mummery
MGB BMC 1.8L I4 175
26 GT
2.0
58   Waldron Motors   Ben Scott
  Dave Houser
  Lowell Lanier
MGB BMC 1.8L I4 169
27 T
5.0
18   Paul Pettey   Paul Pettey
  Roy Hallquist
Ford Mustang Ford 4.7L V8 162
28 T
2.0
80   Texas Speed Museum   Rod Kennedy
  Mike Tillson
  Robert Samm
Lancia Fulvia HF Lancia 1.3L V4 157
29
NC
P
2.0
54   Automobiles of Italy   Anatoly Artunoff
  Bill Pryor
Abarth 2000SP Abarth 2.0L I4 166
30
NC
S
3.0
51   Porsche-Audi   Stephen Behr
  Merv Rosen
Porsche 906 Porsche 1.9L Flat-6 158
31
NC
S
3.0
63   Carlos Fabre   Carlos Fabre
  Pepe Aguilar
Chevron B8 BMW 1.9L I4
32
NC
S
5.0
26   Randy's Auto Body Shop   Bobby Brown
  Gregg Young
  Robin Ormes
Lola T70 Mk.3B Chevrolet 5.0L V8 114
33
NC
T
2.0
84   HCAS   Walter Brown
  Joe Marcus
  Jim R. Sandman
BMW 2002 BMW 2.0L I4 105

Did Not Finish

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Class No Team Drivers Chassis Engine Laps Reason
P
3.0
47   Racing Team AAW   Hans Laine
  Gijs van Lennep
Porsche 908/02 Porsche 3.0L Flat-8 229 Unknown
S
5.0
19   SpA Ferrari SEFAC   Mario Andretti
  Arturo Merzario
Ferrari 512 S Spyder Ferrari 5.0L V12 227 Gearbox
S
5.0
14   John Wyer Automotive Engineering   Jo Siffert
  Brian Redman
  Leo Kinnunen
Porsche 917K Porsche 4.5L Flat-12 211 Accident damage
GT
+5.0
8   Or Costanzo   Dave Heinz
  Or Costanzo
Chevrolet Corvette Chevrolet 7.0L V8 191 Unknown
GT
+5.0
4   John Greenwood   John Greenwood
  Allan Barker
Chevrolet Corvette Chevrolet 7.0L V8 159 Clutch
S
5.0
20   SpA Ferrari SEFAC   Jacky Ickx
  Peter Schetty
Ferrari 512 S Spyder Ferrari 5.0L V12 151 Engine (Head gasket)
GT
2.0
56   British Leyland Motors, Inc.   Jon Woodner
  Dan O'Connor
MG Midget BMC 1.3L I4 122 Oil pressure
S
5.0
29   Auto Enterprises   Ray Heppenstall
  Francis C. Grant
Ford GT40 Mk.I Ford 4.9L V8 117 Rear axle
S
5.0
24   North American Racing Team (NART)   Sam Posey
  Ronnie Bucknum
  Bert Everett
Ferrari 512 S Spyder Ferrari 5.0L V12 92 Fuel pump
GT
2.0
55   British Leyland Motors, Inc.   Merle Brennan
  Logan Brennan
MG Midget BMC 1.3L I4 84 Oil line
GT
+2.0
82   General Plastics   Robert Clark
  Wayne Marsula
Lancia Fulvia HF Lancia 2.0L V4 78 Engine (valve)
GT
2.0
77   Jennings/Keyser   Bruce Jennings
  Bob Tullius
Porsche 911T Porsche 2.0L Flat-6 78 Engine
GT
2.0
69   Harry Theodoracopoulos   Paul Spruell
  Wilbur Pickett
Alfa Romeo Giulia Spider Alfa Romeo 1.75L I4 75 Electrical
P
2.0
61   Ring Free Oil Racing   Jim Baker
  Clive Baker
Chevron B16 Ford-Cosworth FVC 1.8L I4 70 Engine (crankshaft)
S
5.0
16   Porsche-Audi United States   Vic Elford
  Kurt Ahrens Jr.
Porsche 917K Porsche 4.5L Flat-12 61 Accident damage
P
3.0
23   North American Racing Team (NART)   Tony Adamowicz
  Luigi Chinetti Jr.
Ferrari 312 P Coupe Ferrari 3.0L V12 56 Overheating
T
2.0
88   Simone Fleming   Paul Fleming
  Amos Johnson
  Bill Bowers
Fiat 124 Fiat 1.4L I4 49 DSQ (Poor driving)
P
2.0
67   Sports Motors   Jim Bandy
  Fred Stevenson
Lotus Europa Ford 1.6L I4 48 Rear hub carrier
T
+2.0
38   Dave McClain   Don Kearney
  Joie Chitwood
Chevrolet Camaro Chevrolet 5.0L V8 47 Engine
T
+2.0
41   Laurel Racing   Larry Brock
  Larry Dent
Chevrolet Camaro Chevrolet 5.0L V8 40 Oil leak
P
2.0
62   Chevron Cars Ltd   Brian Robinson
  Hugh Kleinpeter
Chevron B16 Ford-Cosworth FVC 1.8L I4 38 Accident
GT
2.0
74   Ralph Meaney   Ralph Meaney
  Bill Bean
Porsche 911S Porsche 2.0L Flat-6 36 Engine
GT
+5.0
5   William A. Schumacher   Bill Schumacher
  Bill Petree
Chevrolet Corvette Chevrolet 7.0L V8 34 Engine
P
3.0
45   Martini International   Richard Attwood
  Gérard Larrousse
Porsche 908/02 Porsche 3.0L Flat-8 31 DSQ (Outside assistance)
S
5.0
17   Porsche-Audi United States   Hans Herrmann
  Rudi Lins
Porsche 917K Porsche 4.5L Flat-12 28 Engine
T
2.0
87   Robert Whitaker   Robert Whitaker
  Harvey Eckoff
  Jack Slottag
Volvo 122 S Volvo 1.8L I4 25 Oil pressure
S
5.0
30   Trevor Graham   Piers Forrester
  Andrew Hedges
Ford GT40 Mk.I Ford 4.9L V8 22 Engine
S
3.0
49   Sepp Greger   Sepp Greger
  Andreas Schmalbach
Porsche 910 Porsche 1.9L Flat-6 22 Engine
T
5.0
14   Ray Cuomo Racing   Ray Cuomo
  Bernard Gimbel
  George Lissberg
Ford Mustang Ford 4.7L V8 16 Transmission
T
2.0
86   Sandy's Spares   Ronald D. Polimeni
  Robert Theall
Volvo 122 S Volvo 1.8L I4 8 Engine (piston)
GT
+5.0
7   Bruce Morehead Racing   Bruce Morehead
  Milo Vega
AMC AMX AMC 6.4L V8 8 Engine
GT
2.0
60   Herrington Motors   Robert Kilpatrick
  Don Goodrich
MGB BMC 1.8L I4 7 Massive accident
P
2.0
59   Waldron Motors   Reggie Smith Jr.
  Dean Donley
  Omar Buttari
MG Midget BMC 1.8L I4 2 Engine
T
2.0
79   Del Russo Taylor   Del Russo Taylor
  Buzz Dyer
  Hank Sheldon
Alfa Romeo GTV 1750 Alfa Romeo 1.75L I4 2 Engine
S
5.0
27   Grand Bahama Racing Team   Mike De Udy
  Mike Hailwood
Lola T70 Mk.3B Chevrolet 5.0L V8 1 Brakes

Statistics

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  • Pole position: #19 SpA Ferrari SEFAC Ferrari 512S Spyder (Mario Andretti/Arturo Merzario)- 2:33.5 (121.970 mph/196.254 km/h)
  • Fastest lap: #14 John Wyer Automotive Engineering Porsche 917K (Jo Siffert)- 2:32.77 (122.497 mph/197.102 km/h)
  • Distance: 2075.410 km (1281.117 miles)
  • Average Speed: 172.667 km/h (106.584 mph)
  • Weather conditions: Sunny

References

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  1. ^ "Sebring 12 Hours 1970 (Race Results)". Racing Sports Cars. Retrieved December 17, 2019.


World Sportscar Championship
Previous race:
24 Hours of Daytona
1970 season Next race:
1000km of Brands Hatch