There are drives which are spoken of in reverential terms down the decades, Pedro Rodriguez’ victory in the Brands Hatch 1000km in 1970 is one of those…
Here #10, the John Wyer entry is set to pounce on #11 Vic Elford out of Druids in another factory (Porsche Salzburg) Porsche 917K, the Brit was of course no slouch on slippery surfaces himself. He was European Rally Champion aboard a Porsche 911 in 1967 and Monte winner similarly mounted in 1968 before going circuit racing.
Acknowledged wet weather ace Jackie Ickx raced a factory Ferrari 512S in a Brands Hatch field full of F1 drivers who in those days also contested the sportscar endurance classics. But Pedro was in a class of his own on that sodden Kent afternoon finishing five laps ahead of the second placed 917K of Elford and Denny Hulme, and eight laps ahead of another 917K driven by soon to be 1970 Le Mans winners Hans Hermann and Richard Attwood, both in similar equipment to Pedro…
Photo Credit…Bruce Thomas
Finito…
primotipo... 
“THE” Bruce Thomas ?
Kind regards,
Andrew McCarthy
Senior Client Adviser
Bell Potter Securities
Ph: 03 9235 1634
Fax: 03 9235 1635
Mob: 0412 127 845
Email amccarthy@bellpotter.com.au
I was at this race–one of my “all time races”. A mate and I stood, drenched-it rained hard all day, but in awe of Pedro’s driving after his “bollocking” by Nick Syrett (BRSCC top man). It was reported Chris Amon said “somebody please tell Pedro it’s raining!”
Nearly 7 hours of driving cold torrential rain could not dampen the enthusiasm of two young petrol heads that we were back then. Car control personified by the young Pedro, it was stunning and still etched in my memory over 50 years later it was worth all the wet and cold misery of that days weather. As a Pom, 4 months later I emigrated with my new wife to the land of Oz with blue skies and sunshine. Thanks so much for the article and photo, I could put myself back in my wet shoes looking at those two 917 Porkies going sideways……..Brilliant.
Ha, ha and lucky you Bob!
Happy to have taken you back to a special moment in time, oh to have been there too in that Golden Age of sportscar racing.
Mark