A battle to the end at the Ring!
Seven teams fielded a total of 7 drivers at this years German Grand Prix held on Steve’s magnificent rendition of the Nurburgring. On this gigantic course one lap equals three laps of an average size track.
Brabaham’s Reutemann had a great practice session and earned the pole position. While managing his second race, Surtees team lead Dave K. placed Pace in the first row. Stewart shared the second row with Oliver. BRM’s top driver Beltoise held the inside of the third row and Hesketh’s replacement driver, Purly, sat on the outside. For the first time this season, Williams’ ace, Galli occupied the last row.
The cars bolted off the starting line. Reutemann maintained an early lead. Stewart manuevered his blue #3 Elf Tyrell around Black #21 Shadow and the blue #9 Surtees to move into the second position. Galli clawed his way out of the last position.
Stewart got on the inside of Reutemann and then slipped by him while going through the Kottenborn. Stewart was first by the Aremberg bonus point marker. Then Oliver passed Reutemann. The Elf was chased by the Shadow. Galli made progress while Purly seemed to be losing ground. Beltoise stayed steady.
The competition was fierce. Reutemann surged to regain the lead, but once again lost the racing line and fell back into third. Pace faded back to 5th while Galli threatened the leaders. The drivers flew their machines through the Kesselchen.
Stewart maintained the lead, but could not shake the Shadow. Galli and Reutemann struggled side-by-side each trying to get the upper-hand on the other. Purly held the 5th position. Pace moved past Beltoise, but Beltoise remained calm.
Oliver challenged Stewart for the lead, but Stewart checked his moves. Purly moved into the frey for third place and found himself three-wide with Reutemann and Galli.
Purly got through the Kienes Karussell ahead of Galli and Reuteman and set his sites on the leaders. As he exited the Galgenkopt, Stewart could hear the engine of the Hesketh revving to the max behind him. Stewart red-lined his Elf, but he knew the it wouldn’t be enough because the Hesketh was stronger on the straights. Purly hammered the throttle going down Dottinger Hohe, but then he felt the clutch slip and he cursed as the Hesketh lost power–he couldn’t catch Stewart! Galli used the superior speed and durability of the Williams to close the gap between him and leaders. The BRM also had a powerful engine and Beltoise waited for the right time to use it.
Stewart got through the Chicane. Galli attempted to pass through Oliver, but Oliver blocked and they both spun-out! Then Beltoise made his move passing through the recovering Williams and gunning his BRM down the front straight. Stewart secured the checkered flag. Purly took second in a photo finish with Beltoise (Team BRM’s first podium of the season).
Race results follow:
1st Den (J. Stewart) 80/40/20/140/6 S**
2nd Steve (D. Purly) 40/40/40/160/6 S
3rd Ray R. (J. Beltoise) 60/40/20/160/6 S
4th AJ (J. Oliver) 60/40/40/140/6 S
5th Terry (C. Reutemann) 60/40/40/140/6 S
6th Dave K. (C. Pace) 60/40/40/140/6 S
7th Travis (N. Galli) 40/40/40/160/6 S