Jackie Oliver vs Vic Elford

Lore & Background

At the 1971 24 Hours of Le Mans, Jackie Oliver co-drove a JW Automotive Porsche 917L with Pedro Rodríguez. Vic Elford co-drove a Martini Racing Team Porsche 917L with Gérard Larrousse. The race was won by Gijs van Lennep and Helmut Marko in a Martini Racing Porsche 917. Oliver's team, JW Automotive, were favourites for outright victory, having won four races in the 1971 Championship. Elford's team, Martini Racing, had purchased the cars and equipment of the previous year's Porsche Salzburg team.

In Their Own Story

The morning mist clung to the Mulsanne Straight as Jackie Oliver eased his Ford GT40 into position, the engine's roar echoing off the grandstands. A few cars back, Vic Elford adjusted his mirrors in a sleek Porsche, his eyes scanning the track for any slip-up. As the sun broke through, they were side-by-side entering the Esses, tires squealing on the tarmac. No words were exchanged, only the mutual understanding of two men who knew that at Le Mans, there is no second place.

Reader's Guide

Both drivers competed in the 1971 race but in different cars and teams. Oliver's co-driver was Pedro Rodríguez; Elford's co-driver was Gérard Larrousse. The article does not mention any head-to-head competition between them.

Did You Know?

• Jackie Oliver won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1969 driving a Ford GT40.
• Vic Elford won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1968 driving a Porsche 908.
• At the 1971 Le Mans, Vic Elford drove a Porsche 917L for the Martini Racing Team.
• At the 1971 Le Mans, Jackie Oliver drove a Porsche 917L for the JW Automotive team.