Although Kurt Ahrens Jr. can claim one start in the Formula 1 World Championship, finishing 12th in the 1968 German Grand Prix at the imposing Nürburgring in a Brabham Repco, his specialty were SportsCars and he was also successful behind a wheel of Formula 2 cars. In those categories, Ahrens held his own against such opponents as Jim Clark, Graham Hill, Brian Redman, or Joseph Siffert. His last competitive international race was at Kyalami in 1970, but his retirement from racing came much later. The German from Braunschweig officially called it quits in mid-July 2012 at the Ennstal Classic, a three-day vintage rally event in Austria. Roman Klemm took the opportunity to chat with the former Porsche factory driver there.
K.A. I drove in my first rally in 1958. But at 72, today’s is going to be my last for sure.
R.K. Which race in your colorful career stands out as the best or the most successful?
I don’t need to think too long about this one. Without doubt it was the 1000 km race at Zeltweg in 1969! In many respects it really was a make-or-break affair. It determined the future career paths for myself as well as Josef (R.K. Ahrens does not refer to his former teammate Jo Siffert in any other way) but also for the entire ‘Porsche 917’ programme. Ferdinand Piech, who stood behind the idea and for whom the 917 became an obsession, told us in no uncertain terms that we are all fired if we don’t win! Realization of his technical-sporting dream was at a critical juncture. Porsche and Volkswagen leadership promised him additional funding in an amount of one million Deutsche Marks…but only if he could produce a win.
Porsche 917 was not only Piech’s brainchild though, because one of the contributors to this legendary project was Kurt Ahrens himself.
We started the development in 1968 and two weeks before the race debut in Zeltweg, we tested it for the first time right there at the Österreichring. And good we did, because the car was too light at the rear and at high speed tended to lift-off, which was quite dangerous. Fortunately, an addition of large sheet metal spoiler cured it.
The 1000 km marathon was officially called the Grand Prix of Austria, and took place in early August 1969. It was not just another race, but a part of the Constructors World Championship and the first ever international meeting at the then brand new Österreichring.
Well, from our perspective, the race was exceptional primarily due to the introduction of the 917, which would later bring Porsche so much success and everlasting fame. The initial plan was for Josef and Brian Redman to drive the first car, and I would share the other one with Richard Attwood. Then I was almost two seconds faster than Brian in practice and the team decided to switch us around. Our big issue was the heat inside the car. Piech decided to solve it with the latest NASA invention and strapped us in those cooling vests. It involved a circulation system where the water was run through an icebox. Shortly after I took the car from Josef, the pump broke and soon enough I was literally boiling inside that “cooling vest”. The only solution was to open all the outlets and let the hot water run out. Once I had crossed the finish line, Josef could not stop laughing after he saw me exit the cockpit with completely drenched crotch of my pants.
This, however, was the only problem the drivers had to deal with and everything else went exactly as Piech imagined it.
After the start, Josef was stuck behind a Lola of Herbert Müller, who was driving for Jo Bonnier. But once he was past, our 917 was nearly three seconds a lap faster. I had some trouble to get going after the pit stop, but other than that I proved that I still was the best second stint driver at Porsche. We won and that achievement on such a beautiful circuit ignited the unbelievable succession of triumphs for the Porsche 917. It was quite emotional.
However, not every undertaking in the history of auto racing could turn out as successful as Porsche 917. Wrapping up the conversation, Ahrens could not resist a small quip at the direction of modern era in motorsport.
Yesterday, we took few laps around this new Red Bull Ring for the Ennstal Classic. The old Österreichring was a magnificent track and all I can say is that they really screwed it up.
