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Mark Donohue at Riverside

"Mark Donohue at Riverside"

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This historic vintage auto racing photograph features Mark Donohue in the Porsche 917/30 Can-Am. (click BUY ART to add to cart)

Import Charges – Please know that if you live outside the USA, you "may" have to pay import charges collected by your country. (Note: This print is recognized as DUTY-FREE in most countries, and many of our international customers report paying "no import charges.")

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From the Owen Art Studios' exclusive classic-vintage photo collection, this historic black and white picture of auto racing from the 1970s has been beautifully restored and enhanced.

Whistling through turn 7 at Riverside International Raceway in 1973 Mark Donohue in his famous race-winning Sunoco Porsche 917/30 Can-Am car gets ready to unleash over 1,100 horsepower (1,580 HP on tap for qualifying). Behind Donohue is Hurley Haywood in the less-powerful Brumos Porsche 917/10 who finished second in the race and third in the Championship.

Donohue and the 917/30 dominated the "unlimited" Can-Am series during the 1973 season, winning every race but one. It was the most powerful sports racer ever built and raced. The 5.4 litre (a little over 300 cubic inches) 12 cylinder, twin-turbocharged engine could produce 1,580 bhp (1,180 kW) with twin turbochargers run up to full boost of an astonishing 39 psi, though it usually raced with around 1,100 bhp (820 kW) at 7,800 rpm to preserve the engine. The 917/30 could go from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 1.9 seconds, 0-100 mph (160 km/h) in 3.9 seconds, 0-200 mph (320 km/h) in 10.9 seconds, and on to a top speed of 257+ mph (414 km/h).

The 917's domination in the 1973 season and the oil crisis pushed the SCCA to introduce a 3-miles-per-US-gallon maximum fuel consumption rule for 1974. Due to this change, the Penske 917/30 competed in only one race in 1974, and some customers retrofitted their 917/10s with naturally aspirated engines. The Can-Am series ended in 1974 after 7 races.

Donohue had a degree in Mechanical Engineering, and with Penske Racing he was commissioned by Porsche to assist with the development of the 917/10 for the 1972 series (which they won with George Folmer driving) and ultimately the 917/30 the next year with Donohue at the wheel. He was also the primary test and development driver and the team driver. During 1972 he also won the Indianapolis 500 for Penske Racing.

In 1975 Donohue died as a result of a crash during a practice session for the Austrian Grand Prix. Donohue lost control of his Formula One car after a tire failed sending him into a catch fence. A track marshal was killed by debris from the accident, but Donohue did not appear to be badly injured. However, a resulting headache worsened and after going to the hospital the next day, Donohue lapsed into a coma from a brain hemorrhage and died on August 19, 1975.

Other notable drivers who competed in the original Can-Am Challenge during the late 60s and early 70s were Tony Adamowicz, Chris Amon, Mario Andretti, Jack Brabham, John Cannon, Vic Elford, Masten Gregory, Dan Gurney, Jim Hall, Phil Hill, Denny Hulme, Jacky Ickx, Parnelli Jones, Charlie Kemp, Oscar Kovaleski, Roger McCluskey, Bruce McLaren, Paul Newman, Sam Posey, Peter Revson, Pedro Rodríguez, Jo Siffert, Jackie Stewart and John Surtees.

Home decorating with motorsports art.Only 500 prints of this restored and enhanced black & white photo were produced for worldwide sale. They are on heavy-weight paper, and are easy-to-frame yourself – no mat is needed and each fits into a standard ready-made frame.

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