Richard Attwood celebrated his 80th birthday on 4 April 2020. One of the most successful Porsche works racing drivers. In 1970, 50 years ago, the British racing driver Attwood became the first winner along woth Hans Herman for Porsche at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The association with Porsche started in 1967. Attwood and William Bradley finished second at Zeltweg driving a private entry Porsche 906 Carrera 6. The official partnership began two years later in 1969. Porsche entering Attwood into the Worlds Sportscar Championship.

Driving a Porsche 908/02 Attwood came second in both Brands Hatch and Watkins Glen with Vic Elford. In the final race of the season in Zeltweg, he finished third in the 917 with Brian Redman.

Together with Hans Herrmann, he took part in the Nürburgring 1,000 km driving a Porsche 908/03 in 1970 – finishing in 2nd place.

The first Le Mans win for Porsche came in 1970, with Attwood and Hans Herrmann corssong the line having covered 4,607.811 kilometres or 343 laps. The now legendary 917 KH from Porsche Salzburg with the number 23.

“Unlike what many people may think, I never did any testing in the 917. I drove a 917 for the first time in a qualifying race in 1969,” Attwood remarked about the 1970 Le Mans Win. “In 1970 I did not believe for a minute that we had even the slightest hope of winning.”

Richard achieved another win, placing first in the 1,000 kilometre race at the Österreichring. The final top three finish was with British driver Derek Bell in the 917 KH at the final round of the World Sportscar Championship in Watkins Glen.

Concluding the 1971 season Richard Attwood retired from competetive motorsport aged just 31.