Storm Chasers
Having been preeminent at Le Mans during the early 1960s, Ferrari had been through something of a barren patch prior to 1970. In preparation for that year’s race, they took no chances, the works team entering four of the mighty 5 litre V12-engined 512s, supported by no fewer than 7 similar cars entered by private teams as well as NART’s 3 litre V12 312P. For all their preparation, Ferrari had not reckoned on the weather, which into the early hours of the race was terrible, a multi-car accident accounting for 3 of the 4 works cars, leaving only the number 5 car of Peter Schetty and Jacky Ickx to answer the challenge laid down by Porsche. Ickx was acknowledged as the greatest wet weather driver of his – perhaps any – era but with failing brakes he too crashed out, leaving Porsche to take their maiden victory at Le Mans.
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