In 1969 the era of the Ford GT40 and Lola T70 sports cars was coming to a close due to the advance of technology and aerodynamics that created the formidable 5-litre Porsche 917 and Ferrari 512. There were also rumours that the motorsports governing body, the FIA, was considering a reduction in engine capacity from 5-litres to 3-litres which was duly announced for the 1972 season.
The GT40 had always been a heavy car due to Ford of Dearborn demanding that an endurance race car needed to be solid – and therefore heavy – in order to be reliable. Eventually the GT40 performed above and beyond most experts’ expectations. The photograph above shows both Ford GT40 and Lola T70 in the Brands Hatch pit lane at the end of the 1969 BOAC 500 six-hour race, an event that served to illustrate both cars lack of competitiveness. The JW Automotive Ford GT40 (chassis GT P/1074) finished fifth overall having covered 207 laps, twenty laps behind the winning trio of 2-litre Porsche 908s that were far more suited to the narrow twisting Kent circuit. Seen third from left, standing at the front of the GT40, is the Gulf team manager David Yorke (facing camera) and to the right is the team’s principal John Wyer (dark glasses) in conversation with team driver David Hobbs (back to camera) who shared driving duties with Mike Hailwood. Parked behind the GT40 is the Lola T70 Mk 3 (chassis SL73/134) that came home eighth, driven by Chris Craft and Eric Liddell who were two laps adrift of the GT40. The 1969 season was the final year these cars stood a chance of victory although the Ford did depart with a very unexpected win at Le Mans when it came home ahead of a Porsche in the closest ever (non-staged) finish.
From the book ‘Moments in Motorsport’ by Trevor Legate
