Porsche 917/10

Porsche’s partnership with Roger Penske Racing which would blossom in 1972 actually had it’s beginning the year before during the summer where Penske and his driver were competing at the 1971 LeMans Endurance race. Porsche had invited Penske for a meeting and over food and drinks they expressed to the American businessman their wish to go Can-Am racing.

They had tested the water earlier with Jo Siffert and various derivitives of the their 908 and 917 Porsches but now they hoped to build a purpose built car for the series. They asked if the American team would join them in this endeavor. Penske being the astute businessman he was and is to this day signed a contract that gave them exclusive rights to the latest machinery.