Race tracks, by nature, are not quiet. Not only do you have barely muffled race-spec engines screaming down straights, but there are announcers, power tools, walkie talkies, and loud fans. Race paddocks, with their spartan concrete construction, do nothing but amplify the race day din. Fortunately, I was reminded of this fact today when I came across a video of a 1970 McLaren M-8C.
The McLaren M-8C was
built to compete in what I consider to be the most hardcore and insane race
group ever to have existed. Group 7, or affectionately known as Can-Am (for
Canada-America), was the closest any racing group has ever gotten to being able
to race restriction-free prototype cars. Historically, whenever the FIA (Fédération
Internationale de l'Automobile) becomes involved, restrictions and regulations
only water down the excitement in racing groups and leagues with engine size
caps, minimum weight requirements, and aerodynamic restrictions. However, with
Group 7, things were a bit different. As
long as the wheels were enclosed, it had two seats, and it met basic safety
parameters, the cars were free to compete. Constructors like McLaren, Porsche,
Shadow, and Lola all developed 1,000+ Horsepower monsters that redefined the
concept of speed for the entire world of racing. Take a look at the video of
the McLaren, revel in how violently the 7.5L Chevrolet Big Block spins to life,
and reminisce on past glory days of insane, bygone racing groups.
Many years ago there was another race track in the Dallas area located on I-35E between Lewisville and Carrollton called, appropriately enough, Dallas International Motor Speedway. Encroaching civilization and developers with the promise of making more money from developing that land rather than racing on it spelled its doom. However, it was the place where I saw my first McLaren M8-E. Powered by 494 cubic inches of all aluminum chevrolet noise and fury stuffed into a 1433 lb car. There were two thing that struck me about the car: #1 how fast it was and #2 how tiny it was. They were the class of the field. Then not long after that Porsche showed up with their 917 and changed everything.
ReplyDeleteWow! I have never heard of the Dallas International Motor Speedway. To think that the Can-Am legends raced in Dallas boggles the mind. The size of the Can-Am racers is shocking. One of my all time favorite photographs is of the Gulf 917k parked next to a basic Porsche 914. They are roughly the same size!!! I cant even begin to comprehend a 1000 Horsepower, Turbocharged Flat-12 stuffed into a car the same size yet somehow lighter than a 914. Here is a link to the 917/914 picture: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jaeger-meister/4085162653/
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