8th-Oct-21, 02:25 PM
NSR 0205 Porsche 908/3 #1 1971 Nürburgring 1000Km - Jo Siffert / Pedro Rodriguez. RRP £87.95. Available October 2021.
I have to admit to being a fan of these NSR 908/3 classic sports cars. Yes, I know they are out of scale and not the prettiest cars ever, but they are wonderfully functional thoroughbred racers - just like the original cars. I particularly like them when they have an authentic livery, as this one does - the JW Automotive car that finished runner-up to the works Martini Racing 908/3 driven by Vic Elford and Gérard Larrousse. The winning car has already been released in a Martini twin-pack by NSR, so this one completes the 1971 Nürburgring podium. The combination of Siffert and Rodriguez - two of the bravest drivers of their era - is also a sombre reflection on an extremely dangerous time in motorsport. Neither would see the end of 1971.
The NSR Gulf livery is a nice representation of the car, with Jo Siffert driving...
'Seppi' won the 1970 Targa Florio in a John Wyer 908/3 and both the Spa and Österreichring 1000Km races in the bigger 917k. He'd started 1971 with a win in Buenos Aires and was enjoying an excellent Formula One season with the new Yardley BRM P160 - winning in Austria and finishing second at Watkins Glen. Shortly after - at the end of October - Siffert lost his life in tragic circumstances, during a non-championship F1 race at Brands Hatch. His death led to major changes in car and circuit safety. Seppi was trapped in his burning BRM for five minutes - marshals were unable to reach him due to faulty fire extinguishers. He should have been out in 20 seconds - and would have survived with no more than a broken leg. Siffert's funeral was attended by 50,000 mourners - the hearse led by a John Wyer Gulf Porsche 917k...
Siffert's team mate in their 908/3 at the Nürburgring died a few months earlier, during a Can-Am Interserie race at the Norisring. It really was a brutal time for the sport. The release of the NSR Porsche 908/3 will coincide with the 50th anniversary of that tragic day at Brands - a fine tribute to a talented and popular driver...
As in all the 908/3 models, it's the usual NSR 'Classic' set-up with the slightly angled sidewinder Shark Evo 21.5k motor...
Light, fast and nimble - a perfect classic racer.
The Jo Siffert / Pedro Rodriguez Porsche 908/3 is scheduled for release by the end of October. It is available for pre-order now from all your favourite NSR stockists.