Porsche 908/2 - Not Your Ordinary "Flounder"

In the late years of the 1960's and early 1970's,908's won at Brands Hatch in the UK where
Porsche, in their search for faster race cars,Siffert and rookie Brian Redman led a
developed the 908. The Porsche 908 in factone-two-three 908 spyder sweep. Winning again
became the break through racing car thatat Monza where Seffert and Redman took
Porsche was searching for. Built to race with theanother first, again at Targa Florio with Porsche
best cars produced in England, Italy and America,managing a one-through-four sweep, then Spa
the 908 created for nothing less than outrightand Nurburgring where Porsche had a five car
wins. This was just the case with Porsche's firstsweep lead to Porsche earning its initial FIA World
ever World Championship of Makes title winner.Manufacturers Crown. It was at this time a new
Porsche had been sinking huge amounts ofbody shape was unveiled, the 908/2 "Flounder",
money in racing and that coupled by a rulesnicknamed because of its flat upper surfaces. The
change seems to have led to the Type 908.Flounder's design added 10 mph to the top speed
Those rules changes announced in 1968, effectedof the 908/2. The 908/2 "Flounder" took second
previously unregulated engine size by limitingoverall in its first Championship race becoming the
Group 6 prototypes to three liters. Suddenly thefuture design for all 908 spyders and the basis for
whole picture changed for Porsche gaining a levelthe 917 Can-Am and 917K endurance models.
field advantage they had been hoping for.Ironically for a time recycled factory Porsche
Mechanically the 908 was actually not much morecompetition cars seemed to be everywhere. The
than the Porsche 907 in that it was simpler with amost recognized however was the 908/2
larger engine. To begin with the 908 had the"Flounder" raced by actor Steve McQueen and
same problems with stability as did the 907. ThePeter Revson at the 1970 Sebring 12 hour. With
additional horsepower coupled with the stabilityPorsche 917's running in front and their competing
problems only made the situation worse. IntenseFerrari 512 counterparts having problems, the
experimentation with spoiler, flaps and verticalMcQueen/Revson team was leading the Sebring
stabilizers managed to make the cars drivable infield with less than one hour remaining. Mario
their original design.Andretti having held the first place position with
Then again in 1969 Porsche profited fromhis Ferrari 512 when it broke with about 90
additional changes made in the rules for Group 6ninutes remaining, had moved into the highest
prototypes, this time relaxing the restrictionsplace. With 30 minutes remaining Andretti was in
regarding weight, height, and structure. Porsche'sfront but his position was brief when he pitted for
response was to build the 908/2 spyder. The 908fuel, putting McQueen and Revson in front.
was finally making itself known in 1969 despiteUnfortunately Andretti would pass the Porsche
disappointment at Daytona. Returning to Europe,908/2 "Flounder" for the win.