On This Day, Richard Attwood Born, 1970 Le Mans Winner for Porsche
Richard Attwood is always held in justifiably high-esteem by Porsche as one of the two drivers who gave the German marque their first outright Le Mans in 1970. Sharing the slowest qualifying 917 in the field with Hans Herrmann, the duo drove through the field to win a wet a testing 24-Hours, outright glory for Porsche after numerous class wins, and vindication for Herrmann who had just lost out to Jacky Ickx the year before.
On the day of his 80th birthday, Porsche have issued this tribute to their driver, though it should also be remembered that Attwood was a pretty good driver all round, competing in 17 Grand Prix including taking his BRM to second in Monaco in 1968:
Richard Attwood, one of the most successful works racing drivers of Porsche AG, celebrates his 80th birthday on 4 April 2020. 50 years ago, the British racing driver Attwood achieved the first overall victory for Porsche at the 24 Hours of Le Mans together with Hans Herrmann.
Attwood developed a passion for motorsports at an early age – inspired by the car dealership run by his parents. After racing in formula sport with Triumph and BRM, he first came into contact with the Porsche brand in 1967. Together with William Bradley, he finished second in Zeltweg driving a private Porsche 906 Carrera 6. Porsche engaged Attwood for the World Sportscar Championship two years later in 1969, and from then on he was retained under contract as a works driver. He raced in the World Championship for Makes in a Porsche 908/02, and came second in both Brands Hatch and Watkins Glen together with Vic Elford. In the season finale in Zeltweg, he finished third with Brian Redman in the 917. Together with Hans Herrmann, he took part in the Nürburgring 1,000 km driving a Porsche 908/03 in 1970 – finishing in 2nd place.
The first overall victory in the most important endurance race in the world is considered to be one of the greatest racing successes of the sports car manufacturer from Zuffenhausen. On 14 June 1970, Porsche achieved the first of a total of 19 overall victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. After exactly 4,607.811 kilometres or 343 laps, Richard Attwood and Hans Herrmann crossed the finishing line first in the legendary Porsche 917 KH from Porsche Salzburg with the start number 23. “Unlike what many people may think, I never did any testing in the 917. I drove a 917 for the first time in a qualifying race in 1969,” says Attwood looking back. “In 1970 I did not believe for a minute that we had even the slightest hope of winning.”
In 1971, he achieved another first place in the 1,000 kilometre race at the Österreichring. Richard Attwood retired from active motor racing at the end of the season at the age of just 31. His last podium finish was in 1971 together with Derek Bell in the 917 KH at the season finale of the World Sportscar Championship in Watkins Glen (3rd place). However, the now 80 year-old was not quite ready to fully enjoy his retirement. In 1984, he finished 15th in Daytona in a Porsche 928. Today, Attwood still accompanies the Porsche Museum to its driving events at renowned classic car meets all over the world. Among other things, he can be seen at the Festival of Speed in Goodwood, the Sound Night as well as at various historic motorsports events.
All Pictures: Porsche Museum
Richard Attwood’s most important Porsche racing successes:
1967
2nd place 500 km Zeltweg, Porsche 906 Carrera 6
1969
7th place 12h Sebring, Porsche 908/02
2nd place 6h Brands Hatch, Porsche 908/02
4th place 1,000 km Spa, Porsche 908 LH
4th place 1,000 km Nürburgring, Porsche 908/02
2nd place 6h Watkins Glen, Porsche 908/02
3rd place 1,000 km Österreichring, Porsche 917
1st place 9h Kyalami, Porsche 908/02
1970
3rd place 1,000 km Brands Hatch, Porsche 917 KH
5th place Targa Florio, Porsche 908/03
9th place 1,000 km Spa, Porsche 908/02
6th place 1,000 km Spa, Porsche 917 KH
2nd place 1,000 km Nürburgring, Porsche 908/03
1st place 24h Le Mans, Porsche 917
3rd place CanAm Watkins Glen, Porsche 917 KH
4th place 1,000 km Österreichring, Porsche 917 KH
1971
2nd place 24h Le Mans, Porsche 917 KH
1st place 1,000 km Österreichring, Porsche 917 KH
3rd place 6h Watkins Glen, Porsche 917 KH
