The Porsche featured here is one of eight 904s entered in this sprint race at Goodwood, called the Ronnie Hoare Trophy race. This was the very first race of the weekend, and featured a series of British, German, and Italian small-bore race cars built between 1961 and 1966. The car you ride onboard with in this video is the #35 Porsche 904 driven by world-renowned restaurateur Rainer Becker. According to the video’s caption, the Porsche belongs to a friend, who lent him the multi-million dollar 904 for the day’s race. Oh to have friends like that, eh?
From the start, Rainer gets away from the mark quite well, but is quickly bound up between a 911 on his right and an MGB on his left, with a second 904 on the other side of the MG making it four-wide down the main straight. Discretion being the better part of valor, Rainer eases off the throttle as the gap closes and he settles in behind the MGB for a few laps of dicing. This is an interesting 20-minute stint at the wheel, because it seems like Mr. Becker spends the first half of the race getting accustomed to the Porsche, getting temperature into the tires, and gradually learning the limits of his talent. The second half of the race is when he really pours it on and starts making passes. Once they start coming, he’s an unstoppable machine, putting a number of British roadsters and a few other 904s in his rear-view mirror.
This video is incredible not only for the racing and the visuals involved, but for the glorious wail of the 904’s engine. It feels like the audio accompaniment to this video could be made into an audio track to play on repeat all day. There is something about an uncorked Porsche engine at full chat that just sends shivers down the spine. Crank it up and enjoy!
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Had a conversation in the late '60's with the owner of Allred Porsche Glendale CA about his 904. He use to love driving around the mountains north and west of LA and suck the vettes into corners and watch them destroy their suspension. Its been my fav for many years.