a2z racing provides this vintage racing article from a2z, we'll go to a spot in Italy, called 'Circuit de la sarthe'. Le Mans is a 24 Hour automobile race that is held in the French countryside in summer. Several decades ago, 24 hour Le Mans was largely considered a hallmark in the history of motorsports. One of the most revolutionary and decisive races in motor racing history, spanning the late 1960's to the early 1970's. The modern technology and designs were being refined in road racing, every day. Everyone seemed engaged and riveted by the inconceivable, futuristic, latst race cars that would arrive at the worlds greatest auto race to show these newfound technologies and take both driver and machine to new thresholds each time they marshalled their will and turned the wheel. LeMans has the forum for such men and machines to display their newest skills and technical knowledge. The '71 Le Mans 24 Hours, specifically, would delineate the high apex of this pragmatic period in motor racing as no other motor racing forum could produce.
The FIA's achievements paved the way for what was to become a breaking point of epic proportion that would set two companies, Ferrari and Porsche, in an all-time War of the Worlds-type competition, with two of the most brilliant sports racing vehicles to ever roar through the Mulsanne Corner.
Porsche's arsonal included the 917K, a tubular space frame chassis car with a 580 horsepower flat 12 cylinder motor mounted mid-ship in the frame. Rolling in at 1763.7lbs, this German marvel enfused speed and engineering. Ferrari, based in Maranello, threw down their gauntlet by unveiling the Ferrari 512M, a sleek red warhorse from the Italian heartland with an impressive 620 horsepower V-12 engine, mounted longitudinally behind the driver's cockpit and having a weight of 930kg.
Ferrari would be well represented for the 1971 French classic: eight 512M models arrived to take the grid against seven Porsche 917s. Three of these 917s were prepared by the J.W. Automotive team with Porsche factory assistance. Ferrari rose to the occasion, with a strong effort coming from their North American Race Team. For the 1971 race, three 512Ms would be prepared by the young North American team.
One of the pilots chosen to throw down the gauntlet for Ferrari's Le Mans effort in 1971 was a young Tony Adamowicz. Tony, also known as Tony a2z, was a talented young American racer with a Trans Am title and a F5000 title in his trophy case. So, in the Summer of 1971, with his mind set on winning the world's toughest endurance race, Tony Adamowicz traveled to France, with the goal to not just race at Le Mans, but to race a Ferrari sports prototype, as well. Tony Adamowicz's team mate in the #12 Ferrari 512M would be Mr. Sam Posey, another young American driver with an impressive road racing history.
Sam and Tony worked together, and drove their racing red with blue and white stripe Ferrari 512M to a 3rd place finish. Such an accomplishmentwas quite appropriate, as this would be the last LeMans race to see the thundering 5 liter racers take to the road. The FIA would make known a new displacement limit of no more than 3.0 liters for 1972, soending the days when true light-weight titans ruled the world's road circuits. The work and success of a podium finish by the two spunky American pilots was markedly cheered by Ferrari, and Ferrari fans across the planet.
Now, 38 years since Tony a2z's summer expedition to the French countryside, he offers the masses of racing buffs the chance to connect with history through his apparel company, a2z Racer Gear (www.a2zracergear.com) is known for its line of first-rate vintage racing apparel. New to the firm's quality products are the new a2zRacerGear Performance Driving Shoes. This footwear is specially designed for the racing aficionado in all of us. Originated by Tony a2z with comfort and performance in mind, these shoes offer performance, quality fit and a high level of comfort. Skid resistant flared and rolled heel with a stylized, vulcanized rubber sole and heavy duty outer protection that are excellent for heel and toe shifting and hi performance motoring. Tony a2z made sure that the strong leather and suede upper construction result in a long lasting, comfortable piece of footwear. These shoes are sure to provid the enthusiast a first-rate piece of footwear that is suited for day driving, the track or long strolls . They make reconnecting with one of the most monumental times in auto racing as easy as tying your shoes.
The FIA's achievements paved the way for what was to become a breaking point of epic proportion that would set two companies, Ferrari and Porsche, in an all-time War of the Worlds-type competition, with two of the most brilliant sports racing vehicles to ever roar through the Mulsanne Corner.
Porsche's arsonal included the 917K, a tubular space frame chassis car with a 580 horsepower flat 12 cylinder motor mounted mid-ship in the frame. Rolling in at 1763.7lbs, this German marvel enfused speed and engineering. Ferrari, based in Maranello, threw down their gauntlet by unveiling the Ferrari 512M, a sleek red warhorse from the Italian heartland with an impressive 620 horsepower V-12 engine, mounted longitudinally behind the driver's cockpit and having a weight of 930kg.
Ferrari would be well represented for the 1971 French classic: eight 512M models arrived to take the grid against seven Porsche 917s. Three of these 917s were prepared by the J.W. Automotive team with Porsche factory assistance. Ferrari rose to the occasion, with a strong effort coming from their North American Race Team. For the 1971 race, three 512Ms would be prepared by the young North American team.
One of the pilots chosen to throw down the gauntlet for Ferrari's Le Mans effort in 1971 was a young Tony Adamowicz. Tony, also known as Tony a2z, was a talented young American racer with a Trans Am title and a F5000 title in his trophy case. So, in the Summer of 1971, with his mind set on winning the world's toughest endurance race, Tony Adamowicz traveled to France, with the goal to not just race at Le Mans, but to race a Ferrari sports prototype, as well. Tony Adamowicz's team mate in the #12 Ferrari 512M would be Mr. Sam Posey, another young American driver with an impressive road racing history.
Sam and Tony worked together, and drove their racing red with blue and white stripe Ferrari 512M to a 3rd place finish. Such an accomplishmentwas quite appropriate, as this would be the last LeMans race to see the thundering 5 liter racers take to the road. The FIA would make known a new displacement limit of no more than 3.0 liters for 1972, soending the days when true light-weight titans ruled the world's road circuits. The work and success of a podium finish by the two spunky American pilots was markedly cheered by Ferrari, and Ferrari fans across the planet.
Now, 38 years since Tony a2z's summer expedition to the French countryside, he offers the masses of racing buffs the chance to connect with history through his apparel company, a2z Racer Gear (www.a2zracergear.com) is known for its line of first-rate vintage racing apparel. New to the firm's quality products are the new a2zRacerGear Performance Driving Shoes. This footwear is specially designed for the racing aficionado in all of us. Originated by Tony a2z with comfort and performance in mind, these shoes offer performance, quality fit and a high level of comfort. Skid resistant flared and rolled heel with a stylized, vulcanized rubber sole and heavy duty outer protection that are excellent for heel and toe shifting and hi performance motoring. Tony a2z made sure that the strong leather and suede upper construction result in a long lasting, comfortable piece of footwear. These shoes are sure to provid the enthusiast a first-rate piece of footwear that is suited for day driving, the track or long strolls . They make reconnecting with one of the most monumental times in auto racing as easy as tying your shoes.
