A campaign has been launched to raise financial aid for legendary all-round cyclist Vic Elford, who is battling cancer at the age of 85.
The Englishman, who won a string of high-profile stage and track victories throughout the 1960s and early 1970s, is battling the return of an aggressive form of prostate cancer at his home in Florida , in the United States, and recently suffered a setback by breaking. one leg during a fall.
Click here to access a GoFundMe account that was created for the benefit of Elford
Elford and his wife face the reality of crippling medical bills, the urgent need to equip their home with a stairlift and mobility aids, and secure their future care needs. His former Porsche teammate, rival and friend Brian Redman is working hard to garner support for Elford’s cause. “It’s sad to see his position today,” he said.
Elford is revered in motorsport as one of the great all-rounders who was equally at home on rally stages, at Le Mans and on scary road circuits such as the Nürburgring and Targa Florio in a murderous era.
His remarkable achievement came in early 1968, when he claimed a decisive victory for Porsche behind the wheel of a 911 at the Monte Carlo Rally, then traveled straight to Florida, where he claimed another famous victory. from the manufacturer to the 24 Hours of Daytona, driving a 907. This season he also added a victory over the Targa Florio and made his Formula 1 debut, finishing fourth in the French Grand Prix driving a Cooper -BRM.
Typically of this generation of hardened runners, Redman remains indifferent to his compatriot residing in Florida as he tries to mobilize much-needed financial assistance. “Of course I knew about Vic’s rallying success and his 1968 victories at Daytona, Targa Florio and Monte Carlo Rally,” said the Lancastrian when asked about his memories of Elford.
“I heard that he asked me if I could drive with him in the new 1969 Porsche team with initially 10 drivers and 5 cars. So I arrived in Daytona to meet Vic and the team in January. My right forearm, broken in the Spa F1 accident [in 1968], had not healed and had to be remade in Johannesburg just five weeks before the race.
“I took off the harness and didn’t tell anyone, riding pretty well with one hand – so I wasn’t unhappy – or, to be more precise, I was extremely happy – when one by one our 908 broke down. Monday morning , [team manger] Rico [Steinemann] asked if I would like to be number one and choose my co-pilot or would I go as number two to Jo Siffert.
“We had a great season, winning five of ten races. So of course I’m now running against Vic!
“The unknown of the official JWAE Porsche 917 and 908 team was the fact that Porsche Salzburg would also be directing cars for Vic and Kurt Ahrens. Again, we were in competition in 1970. You’re not really friends when you go up against each other, but Vic and I have always had a good relationship.
“At the dinners, Vic will brag – sorry, talk – about his five Nürburgring victories. I gently tease him reminding him that two of those victories came when we broke down: 1970 when the 908/03 ran out of petrol and also 1970, when my Chevron B16 / S, ahead of two and a half minutes, catches fire. Vic wins in a B16 factory.
Click here to access a GoFundMe account that was created for the benefit of Elford.
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Source: www.autocar.co.uk
This notice was published: 2021-04-20 10:41:52
