1970 1000km of Monza
Tony’s performance in the Ferrari led to a drive in one of the most evocative and successful sportscars that ever raced: the Porsche 917. He would share Piper’s privately-run 917 at Monza, the Italian round of that year’s world sportscar championship. Gear linkage failure ended their hopes in the 1000km event, but Adamowicz had arrived as a fully-fledged sportscar ace.
The 917 I drove is chassis number 010. It’s the second-ever 917 built, and it’s owned by David Piper Racing. We co-drove in the Daytona 24 Hours. David was satisfied with me as a co-driver, so he invited me to drive at Monza in his 917. I believe I was the only American to have driven an early 917K back in the day. David seems to verify this, so I am pleased and honored to be a part of that. I did two other races for him-Watkins Glen and the Kyalami 9 Hours. My first impression was amazing. As I first went on the straightaway at Monza, I thought something was drastically wrong with this car. I mentioned it to David, and he said, “What do you mean?” I replied, “When I go down the straightaway, it’s undulating; it seems to be rolling with the track itself, and that means the chassis is flexing.” David said, “They all do that; there’s nothing wrong with it.”
April 25, 1970
Monza 1000 km Manufacturers World Championship
Monza, Italy
porsche 917
Result: DNF
The 1970 1000 km of Monza was the fourth round of the 1970 International Championship for Makes, following Daytona, Sebring, and Brands Hatch. This was the first official 1000 km race at Monza that used only the road course. Pedro Rodríguez won this race in John Wyer’s Gulf Porsche 917K.
Chassis No. 917-010 was the first Porsche 917 to be sold to a private party. David Piper purchased it new in Aug. 1969, and selected Tony to co-drive at the 1970 Monza. Sadly, after 55 laps, the new 5 speed transmission failed its first time out.
This was the first time I drove a 917K and I had the opportunity to meet the Commendatore, Mr. Ferrari in the paddock along with his entourage of black suits. I had some difficulty explaining to him why I was in a Porsche 917K instead of a Ferrari. This time I was lucky.
Telegrams from David Piper to Tony regarding the race.
Tony drove this Porsche 917K with David Piper in the 1970 race at Monza, Italy
Adamowicz collection
Adamowicz collection
David steams by in the 917K
The shot at Monza is of me in the car, David wore a shorty helmet. Car was painted orange because of sponsorship by Herb Wetson of Wetson’s hamburger fame.
Adamowicz collection – Philippe Moriniere photo
Adamowicz collection
Tony and David Piper’s 917 behind the #5 Ferrari 512S of Corrado Manfredini and Gianpiero Moretti.
Here’s another view of the Porsche 917K in the Paddock
Adamowicz collection – Philippe Moriniere photo
Adamowicz collection – Barrie Smith photo
David Piper napping
Car owner David Piper snoozes in the hot sun. I have fond memories riding in the Fiat transporter that was an ex-Ferrari rig.
I’m standing behind him without my driving suit top, probably saying something like: “Come on David, we have work to do!”
Adamowicz collection – Barrie Smith photo
Adamowicz collection
I was to drive at Brands Hatch in 1970 with Piper however the money didn’t materialize from Herb Wetson until Monza. The car was painted orange at Brands Hatch. David Piper had no real problem changing paint schemes on his cars.
David piper 917-010 at 1000km Brands Hatch. John Hine and Ian Skailes’ #75 Chevron B16 Ford, and Mac Daghorn and Max Wilson’s #53 Lola T70P BRM in the background.
Adamowicz collection
Adamowicz collection
Tony with David Piper
Tony’s copy of the regulations from the race
Tony’s driver arm band from the race
