The 24 Hours of Daytona was won in both 1970 and 1971 by the Porsche 917. The race was for many years the season’s opener for the Manufacturers Championship but in 1971 it was the second race following the 1000 km of Buenos Aires. With a lead of 43 laps at the 18th hour, the Porsche 917 of Rodriguez and Oliver slowed and came into the pits with the car firmly locked in top gear. An hour and 32 minutes, and a completely rebuilt gearbox later, the car rejoined the race and retook the lead in the final hour to win.
This painting by John Ketchell shows the winning 917 driven by Rodriguez and Oliver followed by the 3rd-placed Sunoco Ferrari 512 driven by Donohue and Hobbs.
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