Description
In the mid-1970s, Porsche crushed everything before it with this ultimate 917/30. It was so quick, the rules were changed to ban it.
With 1100bhp from a 5.4-litre twin-turbocharged flat engine, this 850kg Can-Am beast will spin its wheels in fourth gear. Even double Le Mans winner Timo Bernhard admits to feeling intimidated when the engine was started up.
He tells James Elson what its like to get behind the wheel of the very last Porsche 917 to race, and how it compares to modern sports cars.
Don't miss the full Motor Sport track test from Andrew Frankel - read it in our December 2026 issue now: https://go.motorsportmagazine.com/4zesM3A
Website: https://go.motorsportmagazine.com/3WEwGVQ
Podcasts: https://go.motorsportmagazine.com/4BXA3XW
F1 Newsletter: https://go.motorsportmagazine.com/4C1TrmU
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/motorsport1924/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MotorSport1924/
X: https://x.com/Motor_Sport
00:00 Introduction
01:06 On track in the 917 - 'It's a beast!'
02:12 Sitting on the front axle
03:00 Comparing a 'normal' 917
04:15 Modern vs heritage
05:10 Tricks to handling the 917
05:55 On track sensations
08:06 The idols who raced in the 1970s
09:35 Which circuit would you take the 917/30 to next?