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28 Oct 2004, 22:47 (Ref:1139352)
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#1 | ||
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Racer
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 422
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Daytona 1972
Why was the race just 6 hours in 72?
:confused: |
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28 Oct 2004, 23:19 (Ref:1139376)
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#2 | ||
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Veteran
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 567
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i think it was something to do with the five litre sportscars(porsche 917, ferrari 512, etc) being outlawed at the end of 71, and the authorities being unsure as to whether the 3 litre cars that took over being able to last 24 hours, especially a 24 hour race as the first race of a new formula.
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28 Oct 2004, 23:40 (Ref:1139389)
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#3 | ||
 Race OfficialVeteran
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 4,125
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The three litre cars had also run in previous years, they were the prototype class, the 917, 512, GT40 etc. were considered special GT type cars.
There was indeed concern about longevity and also there is a lot of additional cost of the physical plant, in lighting, security, etc., so there was the attempt to downsize the event to cut costs. Notice it was back to 24 Hours the following year. It didn't run at all in '74 due to the energy crisis. |
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__________________
You live and learn. At any rate, you live. Douglas Adams
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28 Oct 2004, 23:45 (Ref:1139393)
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#4 | ||
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Veteran
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 567
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yes i didn't make it clear that the 3 litre cars had run in previous years as well, sorry.
but i did wonder why cars that had competed at the event before weren't considered capable of having a 24 hour race as the top class of car. i know ferrari weren't confident of the 312pb lasting 24 hours, they didn't enter that years le mans either, but i didn't know about other teams. |
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28 Oct 2004, 23:50 (Ref:1139399)
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#5 | ||
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Race Official Veteran
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 4,125
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Indeed Ferrari certainly had some influence on the shortening of the race, and they in fact had planned on going to Le Mans (as I understood it), but given the season they had in which they won every race entered, and then concerns about the car's longevity they didn't go to Le Mans '72. Who knows, maybe they never planned on going?
The Alfa's and Matras had been running 24 Hour races, (Matra didn't go to Daytona '72), and there were a few Porsche 908's around. |
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__________________
You live and learn. At any rate, you live. Douglas Adams
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29 Oct 2004, 01:58 (Ref:1139466)
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#6 | |||
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Ten-Tenths Hall of Fame
Veteran
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,837
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Re: Daytona 1972
Quote:
 It was mandated by the FIA a part of the change from 5L to 3L (the "new" group 5) based upon contemporary F1 engines.  Le Mans was exempt and Sebring ignored the sanction.  Bill France agreed under duress. Source: JJ O'Malley's "Daytona 24 Hours; The Definitive History of America's Great Endurance Race".  
Last edited by thebear; 29 Oct 2004 at 01:59. |
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29 Oct 2004, 02:17 (Ref:1139473)
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#7 | ||
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Race Official Veteran
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 4,125
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ah ha! Well then my speculations were wrong and this book I must purchase!
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__________________
You live and learn. At any rate, you live. Douglas Adams
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