re 917 at Snetterton
Blimey Graham! - calm down calm down!
In response to your posting, the video I viewed was of Robin in the race (not practice) and after a slow start, I believe he was unaware the race had started initially
, he really started to move. I think you are correct, he did retire with a bearing failure.
Your remark about the 917 and 40 being totally different I agree with. The 40s will surely offer far more protection in an impact than the 917s and I'm sure the 917 must feel a lot 'harsher' than a 40 on a track, but my response was not a side swipe or challenge to anyone, it was merely observation of Robin's driving at Spa. The look and sound from the in-car footage was simply awesome!... and again I say, his progress was anything but sedate! YES - I'm sure that the 917s were faster than 40s (and a presumably more successfull?? car) but they were also in general a lot more powerfull and as you say, not conceived as a road car.
If I can get permission, I will attempt to post some of the footage in due course.
We have previously covered the antics of Robin that weekend in a club magazine, detailing all the highs and lows of the event, including a rather smart shot of your 'Mighty 917'. As editor of the club magazine, I would more than welcome copy for inclusion re your 917 racing experiences/development as I am sure most club members would be interested. If you get a chance, or one of your crew/team, drop me a line...
Finally - re me driving a 917, (not that I would ever get the chance), unfortunately I would not fit! - I am a somewhat 'tight fit' in a 40 to say the least so a 917 would be out of the question. I remember well the time at Curborough Sprint when Derek Bell gave me a lift to the start line in his T70 and that was tight!, my knees were up around my armpits! (or it felt like they were!)...
One last thing, hats off to anyone brave enough to try hard in a 917, I spoke to Ray Bellm recently practicing for a Historic GT event at Brands Hatch and referring to a nearby McLaren M8, he mentioned that although he had driven one in his youth, he was more 'choosy' about what he drove these days.... something along the lines of driver safety/survival etc etc.
(more details of Rays car '1018' in the Summer Club mag due out shortly)..