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Posted by: Eric_Shea Apr 9 2007, 07:48 PM

BREAKING NEWS: QUICK VIC COMES TO 914World.com!!



Same teener time, same teener channel:

What Day? - Sunday May 6th
What Time? - 8:00PM EST - 5:00PM PST
What Site? - www.914World.com of course!

Join us for a live chat with racing legend Vic Elford. Sit back and enjoy from the comfort of your own living room as Vic logs on and answers "your" questions!

For those not "in the know" here's a little tic about Vic:

Born on June 10th 1935 in London, England is perhaps the greatest all-round driver ever. By 1967 Quick Vic was "the man" for the Porsche Factory Team. Victories in the Geneva, Stuttgart-Lyon-Charbonnières and Tulip rallies coupled with podium finishes on Monte Carlo and the Tour de Corse, all in a 911, assured Vic Elford the European GT Rally Championship.



Podium finishes continued to abound in this, his first season of circuit racing, winning the British championship and his international debuts in Porsche 911R, 906 and 910 at Le Mans, Mugello, Reims and Nurburgring.

Vic finished the season on a high note with "Le Marathon de la Route" at the Nurburgring. Driving a 911R Sportomatic, he drove an amazing four consecutive 7 1/2 hour rain and fog filled nights around the Sud/NordSchleife track, to win this mind-boggling 84 hour event.

1968 saw victory in the Monte Carlo Rally in a 911, followed a week later by victory in the 24 hours of Daytona in a 907, Porsche's first ever outright win in a 24 hours race.

At the Targa Florio, despite starting the second lap of the ten lap, 720 km race more than 18 minutes behind the leading car, Vic and co-driver Umberto Maglioli came back to win by more than a minute. Porsche, in recognition of his efforts, dedicated their traditional victory poster not to the car, but to the driver. The only time a Porsche poster ever featured only the driver - not the car.



Drawing on the experience of all those hours at night on the Nurburgring the year before, Vic followed up with victory, the first of three, in the 1000kms of Nurburgring, associated with Jo Siffert in a 908 Coupe.

By 1971 Vic had become one of the very few drivers to have won both the American Crown Jewels of endurance racing, the 24 hours of Daytona and the 12 hours of Sebring.

Lap records included:

• Targa Florio
• Nurburgring
• Daytona
• Sebring
• Norisring
• Monza
• Buenos Aires
• Road Atlanta
• Laguna Seca
• Riverside and
• Le Mans - where he was the first driver to lap at over 150mph in the Porsche long-tail 917 in 1970!



Vic was one of the select few Porsche 917 and Ferrari 512 drivers hired by Steve McQueen to do the high speed close-up action driving for Steve's film "Le Mans". During the 24 hours of Le Mans, when a Ferrari crashed in front of him, Vic stopped in mid-race to extricate the driver from his burning car. T.V. cameras caught the action and Vic was named Chevalier de l'Ordre National du Mérite by French President Georges Pompidou for his act of courage and heroism.

Need more?

Who wrote the book on Porsche High-Performance Driving? Why, Vic Elford of course. The http://www.vicelford.com/storebooks.html#HighPerf was and still is the "Bible" for many wanting to improve their times at the autocross track, the rally course or the road course.

Add to that Vic's latest literary achievement http://www.vicelford.com/storebooks.html#Reflections You "must" get an autographed copy of this book before the event! Get both! Vic mentioned in one of his emails that there are no ghost writers... you get the real Vic Elford in these books.

Brought to you by the friendly admins at 914World.com

Posted by: SirAndy Apr 9 2007, 08:08 PM

Posted by: Headrage Apr 9 2007, 08:09 PM

NICE!!!

Posted by: seanery Apr 9 2007, 08:28 PM

AWESOME!!!

...and timely...great article in Excellence as a prelude

Posted by: 1970 Neun vierzehn Apr 9 2007, 08:32 PM

willie b signing our decklids from cyber-space?

This will be vet-t-t-ty interesting to hear his rememberance of those glory days of Porsche's evolution from spear carrier to front runner. His recall of the 914 from that era should prove interesting as well.

Kudos to the admins for arranging this

Posted by: URY914 Apr 9 2007, 08:33 PM

Here is a picture of him after winning the 1968 Monte Carlo rally.

He is on the far right in this team picture.




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Posted by: SirAndy Apr 9 2007, 08:39 PM

QUOTE(URY914 @ Apr 9 2007, 06:33 PM)

Posted by: Dave_Darling Apr 9 2007, 09:27 PM

How the heck do you get great folks like this to chat with us? This is just freaking amazing!!

--DD

Posted by: Aaron Cox Apr 9 2007, 09:35 PM

Z does a good reach around.

Posted by: SGB Apr 9 2007, 10:34 PM

Kowabunga!

He's my idol! I got signed shit, posters, models, saw him at Rennsport II. This guy is more real than than the rest of us. I'm going to be on the road on the 6th, but I can at least watch via smartphone.

Great work! Who do we thank for this?

Posted by: ChrisNPDrider Apr 9 2007, 10:35 PM

This World is great, if it were a Club I'd probably join right now.
Eric, this one's for you
Soooooo, uuhhhmmmmm, did he ever race a 914? Not that it reeeaaalllly matters.

Posted by: Eric_Shea Apr 9 2007, 10:38 PM

Posted by: So.Cal.914 Apr 10 2007, 01:01 AM

You most definitely rock Eric.

Posted by: Lawrence Apr 10 2007, 07:34 AM

This is awesome!

I checked out the link for the Driving Handbook... if you get one at his site, he'll dedicate and sign it for you. Count me in... I'm going to get one today.

Damn, this is cool.

Posted by: rhodyguy Apr 10 2007, 08:19 AM

too bad nothing interesting ever happens here.

k

Posted by: drew365 Apr 10 2007, 10:39 AM

Glad you called him back. He has a lot of great stories to tell and tells them well.

Posted by: pbanders Apr 10 2007, 10:52 AM

Amazing. The master of the 917 to speak with us. Guys who drove cars of that era were incredibly brave, the cars were insanely fast yet lacked nearly any safety features. Add in that the courses like Spa and Le Mans were complete death traps, too.

Posted by: jgara962 Apr 10 2007, 11:02 AM

WOW!

Posted by: Eric_Shea Apr 10 2007, 01:58 PM

Peeps...

Please log on and grab one of Vic's books, DVD's, prints or posters. As mentioned by Uncle Rusty, he'll personally sign them for you! You simply can’t beat that.

The most celebrated Porsche driver in history is coming to 914World to chat with you “gratis”. Please, please, please show him your gratitude by purchasing one of his books.

I'm getting the new book as I already have Porsche High-Performance Driving Handbook. I can tell you this; the lessons gleaned from just one paragraph in that book are worth the price of admission.

Again, please support Vic on this and, let him know where the best group of Porschephiles resides.

http://www.vicelford.com/store.html

Posted by: seanery Apr 10 2007, 04:56 PM

I just purchased 3 books (and mentioned the 914world chat, too )

1. Reflections on a Golden Era of Motorsport
2. Porsche High-Performance Driving Handbook
3. KINGS OF THE NURBURGRING DER NURBURG-RING: A HISTORY 1925 - 1983

Posted by: iamchappy Apr 10 2007, 05:17 PM

This is great! Only thing better that I can think of is bringing Mark Donahue back from the dead to join us...

Posted by: Eric_Shea Apr 10 2007, 05:47 PM

I just got "Golden Era"

Posted by: Pat Garvey Apr 10 2007, 08:01 PM

Eric,

You sucked us right in earler (well, not really. My fraternity DID know Vicky Elford, and she WAS fast, just couldn't be handled)

Great stuff!
Pat

Posted by: Eric_Shea Apr 10 2007, 08:42 PM

I'm still not talking to you for that "older than dirt" comment

Posted by: seanery Apr 11 2007, 05:29 PM

The books I ordered yesterday afternoon shipped this morning!

Posted by: TROJANMAN Apr 11 2007, 05:53 PM

very cool eric

Posted by: Eric_Shea Apr 11 2007, 06:52 PM

Thanks Greg,

Got another email from Vic today...

****************
I'm looking forward to our online chat. A new experience. Should be interesting!

Best regards,

Vic Elford
www.VicElford.com
****************

Posted by: URY914 Apr 11 2007, 08:28 PM

Does anyone know where Vic lives?
I thought he was in Miami.

Anyone know?

Posted by: Eric_Shea Apr 11 2007, 10:12 PM

Yes, he's in S. Fla.

I asked if he wanted a facilitator (I was think'n about ya) but he said no. He wants to do it all himself.

Posted by: URY914 Apr 12 2007, 06:53 AM

Here he is on the right.




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Posted by: BKLA Apr 12 2007, 11:25 AM

I must first preface this story with the fact that Vic Elford was one of the finest Porsche drivers ever to push the loud pedal. As a youngster, my friends thought I was crazy. Their favorite drivers were people like Mario Andretti or Mark Donohue - mine was Vic Elford.

Many years later, imagine my glee that Mr. Elford was to become the 1985 IMSA Renault Cup manager, the last year of the series. He was a great guy to talk and work with. Because of his help, along with others - I was able to place in the top ten a number of times that last season. We became friendly and kept in touch until about 1989 when I ran a formula ford out at riverside before it formally closed. (old turn 8 was already gone, but a revised 7,7B complex was there and was still fun to drive.) He was there coaching a young driver and we talked about what we were both involved with, career wise. After that, I hadn't talked with him until...

Five years later in 1994, I ran into him at Sebring 12 hour. I was glad to see him again and said so. We chatted briefly, but he was very disappointed that I had put on some weight and wasn't driving as much as I had in the past. ( I wasn't there to drive, although I brought my gear "just in case" the opportunity arose.) The conversation became quite personal and I was dumbfounded, having not spoken to him for nearly five years.

I will never forget that conversation. I was shocked and hurt about what was said. Even the extraordinary among us have issues that we deal with in our lives. What it taught me was that all of us are human. I doubt that now he would even remember me, or that conversation.

I have seen him at many races since, but never approached him. Sometimes, it is better not to meet your heros.

Quick Vic is and will always be, one of the finest Porsche drivers of all time. I have a number of signed photos that I have purchased over the years as he is still one of my favorite drivers. Enjoy the email chat. He has great stories!!!

Like you and me, however, he is human.

Posted by: Part Pricer Apr 12 2007, 12:38 PM

I took this picture of Vic during the "Great Road Races" session at the Amelia Island concours last month. It should help everyone picture the man who is sitting in front of a computer answering your questions.

Posted by: rick 918-S Apr 14 2007, 06:24 PM

Posted by: Eric_Shea Apr 14 2007, 07:16 PM

Got my book yesterday! Signed to me with some extras thrown in!!

Awesome...

Posted by: Eric_Shea Apr 16 2007, 09:28 PM

anyone else visit Vic's store?

Posted by: ChrisNPDrider Apr 16 2007, 09:58 PM

Yeah - I can't decide whether to save my $$$$ for autographed 917 slot cars, a full art poster, that new front window seal that just came out, or rebuilt calipers to go with my powdercoated struts (are they done yet?)????????
All are great choices, I think I can afford the book right after I finish filing taxes

Posted by: carr914 Apr 17 2007, 12:21 PM

Vic's a very cool guy, with a wicked sense of humor. I got to spend time with him a few years ago when he worked for Skip Barber. Milka Duna then hired him as agent and coach. Heard she stiffed him on the money side.

T.C.


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Posted by: carr914 Apr 17 2007, 12:27 PM

I always thought that Vic and Hans Stuck were the Masters of car control.

T.C.


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Posted by: grantsfo Apr 17 2007, 01:26 PM

COOL!!!!! He is one of my racing hero's! I saw him race the "Sucker Car" back in the 70's when I was a kid. We have to get him to talk about the 2J. I think he was one of the first guys to go under 1 minute lap times on the old Laguna Seca course. That car was quite controversial and I'd love to hear his stories about the car.

Posted by: Eric_Shea Apr 21 2007, 09:45 PM

Coming up on the two-week mark gang...

Posted by: carr914 Apr 22 2007, 04:13 PM

I had forgotten that Vic drove the 2J and I can't believe how many die cast cars I have. I saw the 2J debut at the Glen.

T.C.


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Posted by: Eric_Shea Apr 23 2007, 09:00 PM

I have a 1/10 remote control version of that... I use it to vacuum the house with

Posted by: johnlush May 1 2007, 12:11 AM

Got my copy of "Reflections on a Golden Era of Motorsport" today. Looks like a great read! Looking forward to the chat.

Posted by: ClayPerrine May 5 2007, 11:03 PM

Waiting for tomorrow night.

Posted by: So.Cal.914 May 5 2007, 11:13 PM

QUOTE(carr914 @ Apr 22 2007, 03:13 PM)

Posted by: TROJANMAN May 6 2007, 08:23 AM

Is this tonight?

bump for update.............

Posted by: orthobiz May 6 2007, 08:33 AM

I have other plans and will have to read the after-the-fact transcript, BUT I absolutely applaud the efforts of our administrators to get these first-rate events going. It's just another part of what makes this the best 914 site on the web!

Paul

Posted by: Eric_Shea May 6 2007, 01:59 PM

Tonight is the night.

Vic seems ready to go... I was emailing him yesterday.

Thanks Paul.

Posted by: URY914 May 6 2007, 03:10 PM

He's ready to go...




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Posted by: blitZ May 6 2007, 07:15 PM

So, how do we get to the chat?

Posted by: SirAndy May 6 2007, 08:57 PM

that was cool!

Posted by: Eric_Shea May 6 2007, 09:02 PM

So... did everyone enjoy the chat?

Weigh in!

Posted by: So.Cal.914 May 6 2007, 09:08 PM

That was very cool, thanks so much guys.

Posted by: Rleog May 6 2007, 09:38 PM

To Carr914...

I too was at the Glen for the 2J debut in 1970, but I was so ignorant that I knew nothing about Hall's surprise until I got there.

It went out in the early laps; I forget why.

Guess that's two races where we didn't bump into one another...

(Sebring 07)

Posted by: URY914 May 6 2007, 10:03 PM

Who actually set this up?

Posted by: Eric_Shea May 6 2007, 10:46 PM

Twas I, Porque?

Posted by: rick 918-S May 6 2007, 10:57 PM

Missed it again! I went on a parts runs for the alien...

Posted by: URY914 May 7 2007, 06:33 AM

Too bad he doesn't own a Porsche now. At least he didn't say he drove a Lincon Town Car.