Imola 500 Kms

Imola, a little way south of Modena and Bologna, used to host non-Championship Formula One races, and recently a good deal of money has been spent on improving facilities at the pleasant park-land circuit. Last month the third in an annual series of Groups 5 and 6 sports-car races was held, only a few days after Commendatore Ferrari dedicated the name of the track to his son Dino. Fittingly, a works Ferrari 512S driven by Merzario/Giunti headed the held, opposing a pair of “intruder” Porsche 917s entered by John Wyer for Rodriguez and Redman. The only other works car present was an updated Alfa Romeo 33-3 for Galli/de Adamich.

As expected, the race developed quickly into a close contest between the Ferrari and two Porsches, with the Alfa Romeo an outclassed fourth. Merzario led initially, indeed the opening 20 of the 100 laps provided some excellent motor racing, but he fell back first with gear-linkage derangement, then with fuel-pump trouble. Rodriguez then led Redman, but on the 35th lap the Mexican driver touched an Armco barrier while avoiding a spinning Chevron and deranged the rear suspension. Thus Redman was able to score a very comfortable 3-lap victory over the Alfa Romeo.—M. I.. C.

Results:
1st:B. Redman (Porsche 917, 12-cyl – 4.9-litre) …………. 2 hr. 43 min. 53.5 sec. – 183.79 k.p.h.

2nd:N. Galli/A. de Adamich (Alfa Romeo 33-3 V8, 3-litre) …………… 97 laps

3rd:K.Ahrens/H. Marko (Porsche 908, 8-cyl. – 3-litre) ……………….. 95 laps

4th:G. Larrousse/R. Lins (Porsche 908, 8-cyl – 3-litre) ………………. 95 laps

5th:F. Kottulinsky/N. Lauda (Porsche 908, 8-cy. – 3-litre) …………… 94 laps

6th:C. Manfredini/G. Moretti (Ferrari 512S, V12 – 5-litre) …………….. 93 laps

Fastest lap:P. Rodriguez (Porsche 917, 12-cyl – 4.9-litre

1 min. 34.5 sec. – 191.05 k.p.h.