| Ferrari. A name that is synonomous with winning. | | | | following the green flag, Amon was able to pass |
| Over 50 years of racing heritage; a heritage which | | | | Bruce McLaren's M8B to snatch second position. This |
| includes several Formula One titles, as well as overall | | | | started a battle unlike that which the McLaren cars |
| victories in Sports Car Racing at some of the most | | | | had ever seen. Amon and McLaren would swap |
| difficult race circuits known to exist. Tracks like Spa, | | | | second place for several more laps until the M8B's |
| the Nurburgring, and the great French classic held | | | | Chevy engine gave out. This left second position to |
| every year at Le Mans. Nearly every challenge the | | | | the Ferrari, which it would retain for the remainder of |
| Prancing Horse of Maranello has undertaken in the last | | | | the race. |
| 60 years has resulted in victory. One series however | | | | Amon would continue his streak of podium finishes |
| was not intimidated by Italy's best. That series was | | | | with the big red Ferrari at Mid Ohio. Despite a poor |
| the Can-Am Challenge, held between 1966 and 1974 | | | | qualifying result of 12th place, Amon managed to |
| in North America. The Can-Am, as it would become | | | | bring the Ferrari up through the pack to finish third, |
| known, was perhaps the most exciting road racing | | | | one lap behind the McLarens. Elkhart Lake was the |
| series the planet has ever seen. Governed by the | | | | next race, and the Ferrari 612P arrived with a major |
| Sports Car Club of America, the series was run in | | | | new aerodynamic wing mounted on struts above the |
| accordance to the FIA's Group 7 rules for Sports | | | | rear of the car. Bracing was used to support the |
| Racing Cars. Group 7 rules were rather unlimited in | | | | wing struts off the car's roll bar. Amon and the |
| many ways, which led manufacturers of all levels to | | | | Ferrari would start the race from seventh position, |
| run free with creativity and build some of the most | | | | but a faulty fuel pump would lead to an early end for |
| technically advanced cars of their time. | | | | the New Zealand driver and the 612P. Bridgehampton |
| In 1966, the Can Am's first actual season, the | | | | would deliver similar results for Ferrari, as Amon |
| European factories had little interest in a series that | | | | gridded the car in P3, his race would once again be |
| only lasted from September to November and was | | | | cut short due to a broken oil pump shaft. Pedro |
| comprised of just six events. Most of the entrants | | | | Rodriguez would save the prancing horse's reputation |
| were independent teams. Teams like McLaren and | | | | at Bridgehampton with his 312P endurance racer. |
| Surtees, both headed by Formula 1 Champions that | | | | Pedro qualified 11th and drove the 312P to a fifth |
| saw the Can Am as an opportunity to build their | | | | place finish, some 4 laps down from the leader. Amon |
| reputations as manufacturers. Ferrari already | | | | would take the big Ferrari to the races at Michigan |
| possessed a championship winning reputation. | | | | and Laguna Seca, but engine problems would result in |
| However, a young Mexican driver by the name of | | | | the car not taking to the grid at these two events. |
| Pedro Rodriguez would fire Ferrari's first shot in what | | | | Riverside Raceway, late October 1969, would provide |
| would soon become the hottest road racing series on | | | | the backdrop for the largest Ferrari V-12 to ever turn |
| the planet. | | | | a wheel in anger. Still retaining chassis number 0866, |
| Bridgehampton, New York was the second round of | | | | the car that originally debuted at Las Vegas a year |
| the inaugural Can Am Series. The 2.85 mile course | | | | earlier, Chris Amon and his mechanics fitted a |
| located in eastern Long Island would be the first time | | | | monstrous 6.9 litre V-12 engine to the big red car. |
| that a Ferrari would race in a Can Am event. Pedro | | | | Maranello was able to achieve the 6.9 litre |
| Rodriguez was entered in a Dino 206S Coupe that | | | | displacement by stroking the original 6.2 litre engine. |
| September weekend. The young Mexican driver was | | | | The addition of the larger engine to the 612P led to a |
| able to achieve 22nd position on a grid filled with | | | | new designation, that of 712P, indicating near 7.0 litres |
| open-top sports racers powered by thundering | | | | of displacement. Amon would use the extra |
| American small block V-8s. The race would result in | | | | displacement to overcome the Ti22 of Jackie Oliver |
| the little Ferrari not finishing due to the loss of a | | | | for third fastest on the grid behind both McLarens. |
| wheel. Rodriguez would appear again at Laguna Seca | | | | Ultimately the extra power would come to no |
| with the Dino, this time with a 18th place overall to | | | | advantage, as Amon retired the Ferrari after being |
| show for his effort. | | | | black flagged by officials for receiving an illegal push |
| By early 1967, the Can Am was already being viewed | | | | start. Amon would appear one final time before |
| as a fabulous series by many of the top names in | | | | departing for March in 1970. The final race of the |
| North American road racing. The series caught the | | | | 1969 season was held at Texas International |
| attention of Luigi Chinetti, the man at the helm of | | | | Speedway. Amon used chassis number 0866 in 712P |
| N.A.R.T. (North American Race Team), Ferrari's | | | | trim to qualify, blowing the 6.9 litre engine and thus |
| factory-backed team of choice in the United States. | | | | having to run the race with the spare 6.2 litre unit. |
| Chinetti would send one of N.A.R.T.'s P3/4 prototypes | | | | The big engine did the trick in qualifying, with Amon |
| back to Maranello early in 1967 for modification to run | | | | getting 4th on the grid. The smaller engine wasn't to |
| in that year's Can Am Series. While at the factory, | | | | last either as it too blew early on in the race, leading |
| the P3/4 would receive several modifications to | | | | to yet another DNF. Chris Amon parted ways with |
| assist it in moving from Group 6 to Group 7 rules. | | | | Ferrari at the end of 1969, but he did manage to |
| The car was lowered and lightened, though the | | | | score 39 points in the Can Am Championship which |
| headlamps were retained. Provisions for a boot and | | | | was enough to put him in 6th place overall in the |
| spare wheel were eliminated, as there were no need | | | | point standings. |
| for such luxuries in Can Am racing. The P3/4 also | | | | The 1970 Can Am season would see Ferraris of |
| received a strengthened roll bar. | | | | various teams entered throughout the year. These |
| Ferrari's would be absent at the opening race held at | | | | cars were mostly Ferrari 512S models that were built |
| Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin in 1967. Though Chinetti and | | | | to FIA Group 6 rules to run in endurance races like Le |
| the N.A.R.T. team would arrive for the season's | | | | Mans and Daytona. Chassis number 0866 would |
| second race at Bridgehampton. Lodovico Scarfiotti | | | | return to the fight for 1970, this time being entered |
| was selected to drive the P3/4 that September | | | | by its new owner's, Earle-Cord Racing. It wouldn't be |
| weekend and he achieved a grid position of 16th | | | | until round 8 of the series at Donnybrooke, a track in |
| place. Scarfiotti, a Formula 1 veteran, would go on to | | | | northern Minnesota, that Ferrari's first true Can Am |
| drive the P3/4 to a 7th place finish in the race. | | | | challenger would return to race. The several months |
| Scarfiotti would again pilot the P3/4 a week later at | | | | between the 1969 season and it's late September |
| Mosport, one of the fastest tracks the Can Am | | | | return to the track were occupied by a change of |
| Series raced at. The N.A.R.T. P3/4 would start from | | | | ownership and a return to the Ferrari factory for |
| the 12th position on the grid. The weekend would | | | | refreshening. While at the factory, however, chassis |
| result in a DNF for the Ferrari due to a crash. | | | | number 0866 would be outfitted with a 5.0 litre |
| The fourth race of the 1967 Can Am season was to | | | | engine similar to that which was run in the Group 6 |
| see the most powerful sports cars in the world visit | | | | 512S and 512M. This made for yet another |
| the beautiful Laguna Seca Raceway on the coast of | | | | designation change to that of 512P. |
| Central California. This race would mark the | | | | The late September debut of the 512P was a |
| appearance of two new Ferrari Can Am cars in the | | | | promising one. Driving duties for the Earle-Cord Racing |
| form of P4s. Now equipped with full glass-fibre | | | | entry were handled by Jim Adams, who managed to |
| bodies, a huge rear spoiler, and a larger 4.2 litre | | | | qualify 6th for round 8 at Donnybrooke. Adams was |
| engine, it looked like there was a serious effort | | | | able to pull off a 4th place finish in a race of low |
| brewing from Italy's top name in racing. Chris Amon | | | | attrition. The next two races would fail to see the |
| and John Williams were recruited to perform the | | | | 512P take the checkered flag, as a gear linkage issue |
| driving duties. Amon, being the seasoned driver he | | | | would retire the number 76 Ferrari at Laguna Seca |
| was, performed well at Laguna Seca driving the | | | | and a crash would end the scarlet car's event at |
| number 23 Ferrari P4 from 16th on the grid to a 5th | | | | Riverside, the season finale. |
| place finish. Williams also scored well on the weekend | | | | The Can Am kicked off it's 6th season of racing at |
| by completing 99 laps and capturing 8th place. Two | | | | Mosport in June of 1971. Jim Adams and the Ferrari |
| weeks later, at Southern California's incredible | | | | 512P were there achieving 8th fastest time on the |
| Riverside Raceway, the Amon and Williams duo | | | | grid and finishing 5 laps behind Denny Hulme's McLaren |
| would again attempt to bring victory home for | | | | M8F Chevrolet. Chassis number 0866 would miss the |
| Maranello. This time the results were not as promising | | | | race at St. Jovite, but return to qualify mid-field for |
| as Laguna Seca, with Amon finishing 3 laps down in | | | | the 1971 Can Am race at Road Atlanta. A connecting |
| 8th place and Williams crashing out. The final Can Am | | | | rod failure would end the 512P's race that weekend, |
| event of 1967 was held at Las Vegas. A dusty track | | | | but something much more spectacular was about to |
| in the Nevada desert, Vegas was known for | | | | happen at Watkins Glen. |
| wreaking havoc with both racers and their machines. | | | | Watkins Glen, New York was selected to debut the |
| Amon would put the P4 in 13th place on the grid, | | | | brand new Ferrari 712M, chassis number 1010. It |
| while Williams scored the grids 18th spot. Williams | | | | would mark the first time since Las Vegas, 1968 that |
| race was short, as a stone was ingested on lap 1, | | | | there would be an official Spa Ferrari SEFAC factory |
| locking the throttle and leading to the retirement of | | | | entry on a Can Am grid. The 712M was Ferrari's |
| the number 27 Ferrari. Amon would wind up with a | | | | second serious attempt at producing a Can Am |
| DNF as well due to a crash. Despite mid-pack | | | | Championship winning car; the first being the 1968 |
| qualification times, the P4s proved capable of | | | | 612P, which had a disastrous debut in its' only factory |
| obtaining podium results. | | | | supported race at Las Vegas. The 712M used a |
| The 1968 season would be a pivotal one for Ferrari. | | | | modified chassis from a 512S/512M endurance race |
| Pedro Rodriguez would once again take the wheel of | | | | car. The body was completely designed from a blank |
| a Ferrari at Bridgehampton. Gridding the P4 in 11th | | | | sheet of paper to produce as much down force as |
| position, Rodriguez would have an off course | | | | possible. The massive 7.0 litre V12 was based on the |
| excursion early in the race leading to a DNF in a race | | | | same block architecture as the 512 endurance engine, |
| which saw heavy attrition. Ferrari was going through | | | | but with provisions made to accommodate an |
| a battle with the FIA over rule changes made during | | | | increase in bore and stroke. All new heads were |
| the off season. As a result, Ferrari did not enter any | | | | designed using dual overhead cam architecture with 4 |
| sports car races as a factory effort in 1968, except | | | | valves per cylinder. Horsepower was quoted to be in |
| one; the Stardust Grand Prix of Las Vegas. The car | | | | excess of 650. Ferrari located the radiators on the |
| was the all-new Ferrari 612P, chassis number 0866. Bill | | | | sides of car with large NACA ducts cut out a top the |
| Harrah, Ferrari's west coast importer, supplied the | | | | body work on each side of the cockpit to cool the |
| funding and the factory assisted the operation with | | | | giant red beast. Mario Andretti assisted the factory |
| total technical support. Mauro Forghieri was the man | | | | with its development efforts and was awarded the |
| largely behind the design of Ferrari's first, true Can | | | | driving duties for the car's maiden race. With a 5th |
| Am competitor. | | | | place starting position, Andretti just put the 712M |
| The first generation 612P utilized a trellis frame which | | | | ahead of Mark Donohue's Penske/Ferrari 512M, one |
| was reinforced with riveted and bonded sheet metal. | | | | of the Group 6 endurance cars that entered the Can |
| The body was of total glass fibre construction, while | | | | Am race after competing in the previous days 6 hour |
| the suspension was independent at all four corners. | | | | race. Andretti stayed towards the top of field the |
| The 612P used a wing mounted just rear of the | | | | entire race, finishing in fourth place behind Jo Siffert's |
| cockpit. The wing incorporated 2 flaps that were | | | | Porsche 917/10 Spyder.While Ferraris would start the |
| hydraulically operated by a pedal in the cockpit to | | | | next three rounds of the 1971 season, these would |
| assist the car in braking. A nose mounted air brake | | | | be 512M models, and it would not be until Edmonton |
| was also incorporated to work in conjunction with | | | | that one of the Ferrari Can Am Spyders would again |
| the flaps via the pedal. This system of hydraulically | | | | appear. |
| actuated flaps proved complex and was not friendly | | | | Edmonton would see the return of the Earle-Cord |
| to the over all weight of the car, which tipped the | | | | Racing 512P, again with Jim Adams at the wheel. |
| scales at nearly 1700lbs. The real center-piece of the | | | | While Adams scored a sixth position in qualifying for |
| 612P was the engine. At a 6,222cc displacement, it | | | | the the event, the number 76 Ferrari would fail to |
| was the largest engine ever constructed by Maranello | | | | finish due to problems with its ring and pinion. |
| up to that point in time. The engine was a dual | | | | Mid-October's Can Am meet at Laguna Seca would |
| over-head cam design using 48 valves and sporting a | | | | see the Ferrari fair a bit better, with Adams driving |
| 10.5:1 compression ratio. Lucas indirect fuel injection | | | | the 512P to an eighth place finish from tenth on the |
| was used to supply the mighty 12 cylinder with fuel, | | | | grid. The grand finale for 1971 was held at Riverside, |
| and a dry sump oiling system made sure that all the | | | | where Adams was able to qualify 13th fastest with |
| vital components were supplied with the proper | | | | the NGK Spark Plug sponsored Ferrari. Brake failure |
| amount of oil. The 612P used a 4 speed gearbox | | | | early in the race would lead to the red war horse |
| which helped the car put its 620 horsepower to the | | | | failing to finish the event. Jim Adams would finish the |
| rear wheels. | | | | 1971 season with 7 points, good for 25th in the Can |
| Many thought that the rumor of such a large Ferrari | | | | Am point standings. |
| was just that, a rumor. The factory sighted the | | | | No Ferraris would be present at the first two Can |
| delay of the 612P's debut on the German head | | | | Am events for the 1972 season. Round Three was |
| gasket manufacturer which was having problems | | | | held at Watkins Glen, and it would mark the second |
| producing the proper gaskets for the largest V-12 to | | | | appearence of the 712M. This time the 712M was |
| date. Once this was overcome, testing began at | | | | entered by N.A.R.T., initially with Sam Posey selected |
| Modena where it was hoped the car would break the | | | | to drive the big Ferrari. Posey opted not to take the |
| 50 second barrier. This did not occur, however the | | | | drive, and Frenchman Jean-Pierre Jarier was given the |
| 612P did achieve a 50.8 second lap at Modena, | | | | seat. The 712M was not noted to have the best |
| enough to satisfy the team and prepare for the race | | | | handling characteristics, and little had been done to |
| at Las Vegas. | | | | the car since it was last raced in 1971 to correct any |
| The Ferrari's debut at Las Vegas was nothing short | | | | problems. Jarier would make the best of it, driving |
| of spectacular. At nearly seven feet wide, and with | | | | the Goodyear shod car from the back of the grid to |
| it's 6.2 litre V-12 producing a raw mechanical sound | | | | a tenth place finish, 12 laps behind the race winning |
| like nothing else in the field, the 612P was hard to | | | | McLaren M20 of Denny Hulme. |
| miss to say the least. The factory took this effort | | | | The 712M would not appear at Round Four of the |
| very seriously, appointing Franco Gozzi as team | | | | 1972 season, held at Mid-Ohio, but would be present |
| manager, Mauro Forghieri as race engineer, and Giulio | | | | for Round Five run at Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. Jarier |
| Borsari to the chief engineering position. Three | | | | would pilot the Ferrari to a tenth place starting |
| mechanics were also sent to accompany the car. | | | | position at the legendary track. The N.A.R.T. entry |
| Chris Amon was appointed the driving duties at | | | | would go on to a 4th place finish, matching chassis |
| Stardust, were he was able to obtain 9th position on | | | | number 1010's best finish from the previous season's |
| the grid with a lap time of 1:32.2. Unfortunately, the | | | | solo outing at Watkins Glen. Jean-Pierre Jarier finished |
| weekend would end dismally, for the 612P would | | | | the 1972 Can Am Season with 11 points, good for |
| suffer clogged injectors leading to a DNF for its | | | | 13th position overall. Ferraris would be spotted on |
| debut race. | | | | Can Am grids periodically after this, but these were |
| The Ferrari 612P would reappear in 1969 to do battle | | | | 512M models that were made obsolete by the |
| in the Can Am, however the Ferrari effort was | | | | introduction of a 3.0 litre displacement cap put in |
| headed by Kiwi driver Chris Amon with Maranello | | | | place by the FIA on all endurance sports cars for the |
| playing a support role. The first appearance would be | | | | 1972 season. |
| at the Watkins Glen Can Am race held in mid-July. | | | | The last shot to be fired by one of the big-bore |
| Gone were the complex hydraulically-actuated high | | | | Ferrari Spyders would be at Watkins Glen in 1974. |
| wing and nose-mounted speed brake. This, along with | | | | N.A.R.T. brought out chassis number 1010 for one last |
| all new body work, allowed the car to shed some | | | | race. By this time, Porsche had come and gone with |
| weight. The chassis and engine were the same as | | | | it's turbocharged 12 cylinder 917/30 Spyders, as did |
| the 1968 Las Vegas race, but the weight loss | | | | the McLaren team with its mighty big block |
| enabled Chris Amon to qualify 3rd, just behind the | | | | Chevrolets. Shadow emerged as the team to beat |
| McLaren M8Bs of Bruce McLaren and Denny Hulme. | | | | for 1974, but the big red Ferrari would have one last |
| With such a high qualifying position, it looked to be a | | | | go at the very track it debuted at two years earlier. |
| promising race for what would become known as the | | | | The 712M now sported a rear wing that was |
| second-generation 612P. Amon remained competitive | | | | elevated above the tail section of the car as well as |
| throughout the race remaining within striking distance | | | | a revised intake scoop that protruded above the roll |
| of the two bright orange McLarens. The final result | | | | bar to better feed the largest 12 cylinder engine |
| would be a 3rd place finish for the Ferrari; but more | | | | Ferrari would ever produce. Sam Posey was offered |
| importantly, a shot in the arm to the Can Am Series | | | | the drive in the 712M, which he accepted, only to |
| which was beginning to suffer from Team McLaren's | | | | break his foot while driving the car in practice. Posey |
| domination. | | | | was braking on course when the pedal went to the |
| Chris Amon would again deliver a spectacular show | | | | floor of the 712M. The pedal effort applied by Mr. |
| with the 612P at the following race in Edmonton, | | | | Posey was so great, he broke a bone in his foot and |
| Alberta, Canada. The car was fitted with a new 6.2 | | | | ended up handing the driving duties off to Brian |
| litre engine for this event. This proved exciting as the | | | | Redman. Redman, starting from the back of the grid, |
| engine is claimed to be why the Ferrari's gearbox | | | | ran a decent race until rear suspension failure would |
| broke during practice, but nonetheless, Amon would | | | | lead him off course. The final race for Ferrari's |
| once again occupy third position on the grid behind | | | | biggest, most brutal car would end in a DNF. |
| the brilliant McLarens of Bruce and Denny. Shortly | | | | |