Vic Elford – Other | The “forgotten” drivers of F1

1968 Solituderennen Hockenheim [SP] 7 Porsche 910 Bill Bradley Photos copyright Ian Wagstaff

1968 Targa Florio. Photo telemaco Ulisse

1969 Porsche 917. Retired after 22 hours when miles in the lead!. Photo and info Tim Marshall

In 1972, Vic ELFORD was awarded the “Chevalier de l’Ordre National du Mérite” by President Pompidou, for his heroic and courageous act accomplished during the 24h of Le Mans, the same year:

On March 31st, I posted here on my Facebook account how Vic ELFORD was awarded the “Chevalier de l’Ordre National du Mérite” in 1972 for his courageous attempt to pull a driver from a burning wreck midway through the 24 Hours of Le Mans that same year…

This admirable act of a great driver who, in the middle of this mythic race, completely put his ambitions aside to save another pilot is beautifully illustrated in the graphic novel “24 Hr du Mans 1972-1974 Les Années Matra” (French).
The author is Denis BERNARD and the book is illustrated by Christian PAPAZOGLAKIS and Robert PAQUET (Edition Glénat). Unfortunately, Vic’s friend Joachim “Jo” Bonnier lost his life in this terrible crash…

1970 – This is Vic Elford who won the 1970 Nurburgring 1000k with co-driver Kurt Ahrens in this 908-3. Photo taken on the approach to Aremberg and scanned from my Ektachrome color slide. Photo and info Jim Culp

1970- The Porsche-Audi 917K of Vic Elford and Kurt Ahrens, Jr. that was badly damaged when hit by the NART Ferrari 512 S of Sam Posey and Ronnie Bucknum at Sebring in 1970. Unfortunately, due to a mix up, Paul Fleming in his Fiat 124 Sport Coupe got blamed for the accident and was disqualified for “poor driving.” Fleming tried to explain that it was not his fault but the stewards wouldn’t listen. Some time later Posey heard what happened to Fleming and apologized to him. By that time so many laps had been run that it didn’t make any sense for Fleming to try and get back into the race. Photo and info Louis Galanos

1970 Nürburgring 500 Kilometres. Photo Waldorf Statler

1971 Targa Florio Martini – Porsche 908 03 #008. Photo/source© Porsche

1972 – Vic Elford (Ferrari 365 GTB-4). Tour Auto, Montjuïc 1972. Photo and info José Luis Cortijos via JAS

1983 Training 1000 km Rennen – 28.05.1983 Nurburgring. Photo and info Hartmut Schulz

Dr. Helmut Marko and Vic Elford, may be Sebring. Photo John Singer via FB

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