Join The World's Best Iconic & Vintage Car Community >>

1970 Can-Am at Watkins Glen – Race Profile

McLaren M8D of Denny Hulme
Denny Hulme's dominating McLaren M8D

The 1970 Canadian-American Challenge Cup season was the fifth season of the Can-Am auto racing series. The season began only a few days after the death of defending champion Bruce McLaren. McLaren had been testing the new M8D for his Can-Am team when he was killed. The team would continue on without their founder, eventually winningall but one race in the season and earning New Zealander Denny Hulme his second championship.

Round three of the 1970 Can-Am season took place on Sunday, July 12th at Watkins Glen.

On Saturday of the same weekend, Watkins Glen hosted the 9th Round of the World Sportscar Championship, which explains why so many WSC drivers and cars ended up at the Can-Am race. (Pedro Rodriguez won the race).

1970 Can-Am at Watkins Glen – Top Ten:

  1. Denny Hulme, McLaren M8D
  2. Jo Siffert, Porsche 917K
  3. Richard Attwood, Porsche 917K
  4. Vic Elford, Porsche 917K
  5. Mario Andretti, Ferrari 512S
  6. Gijs van Lennep, Porsche 917K
  7. Brian Redman, Porsche 917K
  8. Bobby Brown, McLeagle M6B
  9. Dan Gurney, McLaren M6B
  10. Gerard Larrousse, Porsche 908/02

Other names of note include Jo Bonnier, Bob Bondurant, Dave Causey, Peter Revson, Pedro Rodriguez, Jackie Stewart and Jacky Ickx.

Enjoy these exceptional Can-Am photographs, including the Denny Hulme’s dominating McLaren M8D, Jackie Stewart’s Chaparral 2J “Sucker Car” and the Porsche 917K and Ferrari 512S endurance cars.

1970 Can-Am at Watkins Glen – Photo Gallery (click image for larger picture and description)