This Ferrari 512 M Changed the Racing World Forever

When the Sunoco Ferrari 512 M first appeared at Daytona in 1971 it was a revelation. Manned by a dream team that included owner Roger Penske, chief mechanic John “Woody” Woodard, and drivers Mark Donohue and David Hobbs, the car combined Ferrari’s pedigree with Penske’s legendary attention to detail in everything from his crew’s uniforms to the polished wheels. Slated to run at Daytona, Sebring, Le Mans, and Watkins Glen, this 512 M was the odds-on favorite every time the Penske team rolled it onto the starting grid.
In a historic run of bum luck, however, the car never won a single race.
Debuting at the 24 Hours of Daytona, Donohue put the 512 M on the pole. Just before midnight, however, Vic Elford blew a tire on his Porsche 917 and in the ensuing slowdown, Charles Perry and his 911S ran into Donohue and the 512 M. The Penske crew taped and patched up the car as best they could and watched Donohue and Hobbs fight their way back to a third place finish.
Next up was the 12 Hours of Sebring, where the 512 M was once again on the pole. In the fourth hour of the race, away from photographers’ cameras, Pedro Rodriguez, driving a Porsche 917, rammed Donohue multiple times, sending the Ferrari into the pits for repairs. Once again, the pit crew managed to get the car back on the track, where it finished sixth.
Shipped to France for the Le Mans 24 Hours, the Ferrari 512 M was considered an underdog against the long-tailed Porsche 917s, which had a speed advantage over the Ferrari. Alas, the Sunoco team barely got a chance to prove itself: the 512 M retired with engine failure on Saturday evening.
Finally, it was back to the United States for the Watkins Glen 6 hours. Donohue was leading in the 54th lap when a broken steering knuckle sent him into the pits and out of the race. The Penske team came back the next day to run the car in the Watkins Glen Can Am race but the car’s original racing days were over.
Despite its misfortunes on the track, the Sunoco Ferrari 512 M and the team that ran it remain among the most important racing stories of the 1970s. At a time when racing teams paid little attention to “spit and polish,” Roger Penske demanded that his cars and his teams be precise, disciplined, and spotless. Remove bad luck from the equation and this insistence on excellence would’ve paid off. As it is, it still changed the world of motorsports, as other teams quickly realized that they would have to change their own operations if they hoped to compete successfully in the long term.
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[@SW20AE86]

That sound. That glorious sound.

[@poucxs9246]

Simply hypnotic,

[@tgwkk9167]

Agree what a sound!

[@spyrospettas]

The narration of David Hobbs is simply wonderful...

[@MeteCanKarahasan]

Yeah, such an expert racer.

[@Jimmy_Watt]

I very much miss his F1 commentary. He lent a different perspective to many situations. It was interesting to hear a very experienced racer's view on modern machinery. When he wasn't on any more, it was another nail on the coffin of F1 for me.

[@ImissSaganCarl]

Yes. Not of that hyped narration you sometimes hear.

[@NeoclassicalRadagast]

I really miss his F1 commentary on during the Speed Channel days.

[@titandallas6667]

You all prolly dont care but does someone know a way to get back into an Instagram account? I was dumb lost the login password. I would love any tricks you can offer me.

[@marshallamp682]

The 512 and the Porsche 917 are the best looking old school race cars, in my opinion. Amazing.

[@crienospmoht]

I could listen to David Hobbs talk about racing all day. I miss him announcing F1, in my area coverage switched from NBCSN to ESPN this year and we have a new group of announcers who are knowledgeable, and do a good job, but Mr. Hobbs can never be replaced.

[@eriktruchinskas3747]

God the sunoco coloring/livery is so good looking

[@NegativeNumbers427]

For all you doubters out there. Now you have actual proof that Duct tape fixes everything.

[@douglasds94]

+NegativeNumbers427 If it isn't fixed, you probably didn't use enough Duct tape

[@MrLePlumber]

if you can't duct it f@#k it

[@godwindracing6056]

Some years ago, I failed an MOT test because of a jagged plastic bumper, it took a 10-inch strip of duct tape to pass it

[@WolfsH0ok]

Duct tape ?. You mean, Alabama Chrome

[@donolinger6904]

TONY HAWK - Most of the people I know can't spell duct, they think it's duck.

[@surewin1773]

So sweet to have David Hobbs on here

[@hitachicordoba]

+surewin I really enjoyed hearing his insider's perspective, I would watch a full length documentary on their racing team.

[@surewin1773]

hitachicordoba as would I! 😄

[@jakegulliver1370]

I have to watch (listen to) this clip every few months or so. Magic.

[@ikshields]

I’d give anything before I die to see Penske and Sunoco reunite, in any racing series. There simply has never been a classier combination of gorgeous chrome, immaculate preparation, and elegant livery in auto racing. 👑

[@papajohninerie]

Bring these cars back they were the most exciting cars to watch.

[@MrUltraworld]

When I was 12, I saw these incredible cars race at Watkins Glen. These cars are incredibly loud and impressive to watch. As a kid, the impressions they made on me have never left.

[@peterwyattmiddleton]

"If it cant spin the tires in top gear it needs more power" Donohue

[@thethirdman225]

What he actually said was "It will never have enough power until I can spin the wheels at the end of the straightaway in high gear." He was referring to the Porsche 917/30 (which could not). See here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Donohue#The_alleged_Can-Am_Killer

[@thethirdman225]

silverbird58 ?

[@beagle7622]

Can’t remember Donohue racing a Ferrari. I thought he was driving Porsche’s.

[@coced]

@@beagle7622 Yes, alongside John Doe, both Legends

[@beagle7622]

@@coced Yeh didnt read that right. Mark was a multi world Champion driver,. Roger Penske did not pick him only because they were friends. I never saw him drive but seemed to have a similar personality to Jim Clark. who even today was possibly the best driver I ever saw, although Hamilton keeps winning races when other people crash. he is never in one himself.Rosberg is on record saying that having Hamilton behing him was extremely hard work.

[@ryanolson6794]

This car is one of the most beautiful works of mechanical art I have ever seen in my 15 years of life.

[@Chuck59ish]

David is a fantastic driver, and a great story teller. It's always better when someone who's driven the car is there to describe it.

[@FlyingBoxHead]

I'd really like to have that onboard in it's entirety, beautiful sound! Not a bad driver either!

[@marcg131]

This!

[@deborahchesser7375]

That blue and yellow is just stunning, how perfect.

[@renotsttam]

That V-12 sound.... just magnificent.

[@jeckslerouge5026]

This is how a race cars should sound, and Sir David Hobbs is a true great driver, epic vid

[@christophernewman5027]

He's not a Knight although he should be...

[@GlennnnnS]

This channel just keeps getting better

[@tomislavkaltnecker6354]

Is that even possible?

[@silvernail6]

could have listened for an hour.......

[@ethownzbh]

+Tomislav Kaltnecker Well now their videos are in 4k so...just let that sink in a bit.

[@NilesProductions]

American cars are often over looked but you have to love the #50 BFG/Lifesavers Greenwood Corvette trailing just behind the 512M in the old photo @1:32 in the video. That Vette set a GT class record at Lemans of 215 mph on the Mulsanne Straight back in 71.

[@karlkerr7348]

What a glorious sound!

[@MrLathor]

David Hobbs is awesome, great to hear from him.

[@elmadi7391]

Wow.... David Hobbs, thank you for featuring him 🙏🇺🇸

[@wyattfahrenholz3775]

Man, if you guys could get your hands on a Mazda 787b that would just be the best thing ever. My favorite race car of all time, along with the cinematography of your videos would be too perfect.

[@bumpedhishead636]

I was 10 years old in 1971 and the Ferrari 512M & the Porsche 917K were simply the best cars in the world.

[@pippoclaudio3639]

Lo sono ancora 😊

[@HannibalsGTRacingProject]

This car is perfection. This car made me understand why Enzo was what he've been. It's beautiful as much as a car can be.

[@bowslap]

This particular car was a source of controversy for il Commentadore, lol. Traco Engineering took what was a worn-out engine sold to Penske by Ferrari as “reconditioned”….rebuilt it themselves and tuned/modified it to where it made considerably more power than the Scuderia-spec engines. Pissed Enzo off to no end 😂

[@SpacemanXC]

I'm dying to see an episode on the Porsche 917. Hopefully you guys get to film one soon!

[@giuseppe4909]

I keep coming back to these videos of the great cars … can never get enough !

[@fatexer0]

This is the best automotive channel on KZbin, bar none. Please keep making these videos!

[@Andry892]

Il miglior canale in assoluto, grazie per i brividi che suscitate con ogni nuovo video. The best channel ever, thanks for chills aroused with any new video.

[@angelrios161]

OMG the sound it's glourious

[@timeforachange12]

Filmed at Le circuit du Mont-Tremblant, Québec, Canada.

[@doriannritter2615]

Looks like Nürburgring or Spa! Seems to be a great racetrack! 🏎️👍

[@dudley7540]

Embarrassed to admit that I couldn't figure out where it was!

[@RADThird1]

I didn't know it either. Thanks for the info. Beautiful track.

[@NielsDale]

Thanks so much for the confirmation on the circuit. I guessed it was Mont-Tremblant given the terrain.... and the on track shot where the you can ID ski runs in the distance! Sir David is indeed a class act and a great story teller in person as well... yet another reason to visit Siebkens patio during the vintage race weekends at Road America!

[@jacquesraymond151]

Do you know if that 512M is part of Lawrence Stroll collection? Stroll own's Circuit Mont-Tremblant.

[@cpk313]

2:07 the amazingly docile sound, almost a purr, until the right pedal goes south, well then that goes to a sublime roar.

[@paxwallacejazz]

for us Porsche 917 fans ; this is that Other Car . Andretti Sr. says this is his favorite race car .. Wow I can see why . It's classic modern it will always look modern.

[@KevinFromNYC]

It's the Ferrari 917!

[@inkdreams5113]

I prefer the Porsche...

[@paxwallacejazz]

@@inkdreams5113 me too

[@CM1032]

Beautiful old school race circuit with grass and trees, that V12 soundtrack and the 512M gliding serenely through the sweepers. The only way it could be better is if I was there.

[@mcbeaulieu]

That's Mont-Tremblant, and it's still got the same feel in 2023

[@drunkinmaster1]

Such a glorious sound

[@MrAquinas1]

I was at the Watkins Glen race in 1971. That was a great car undone by a lot of bad luck, but great driving by Donohue and Hobbs.

[@TheAslakVind]

What a gem of a vid! So amazing to have Mr Hobbs presentating! This guys can drive! :)

[@lumazzoni]

That is my dream Ferrari ever! remember seeing not this one but the MOMO one in Interlagos with Jean Moretti....awesome car!

[@HighTQCummins]

grew up listening to Hobbs voice on speed channel, great to hear him again, especially about a vehicle like this

[@repairdrive]

You guys got David Hobbs!!??? Sweet! Why do auctioneers pay such big bucks for plain street cars? Cars like THESE are with millions IMO.

[@CatheysKid]

Thank god somebody gets it.....David friggin Hobbs!! He and Brian Redman were adolescent 50 yr old male racing God's.. Sadly David was a bit stiff in this video....he is normally quite expressive and enormously entertaining and generally and all around good chap and excellent interview....still quite a good catch for Petrolicious...way to go guys.

[@repairdrive]

CatheysKid I think maybe David was like "do an interview for Petro who???" haha Side note, notice how Petrolicious STILL has no prerole ads?

[@CatheysKid]

Yes, I've noticed...I've also noticed their access to special cars and owner's has shifted gears since Petro's association with Hagerty began. Must be nice for the Petro producers to have access to Hagerty's customer base.

[@spidersinspace1099]

Cars of this era represent the best days of racing IMO.

[@deborahchesser7375]

I had the slot car version, it was always my favorite, looks so exotic

[@lestercombs1871]

David Hobbs was and still is my favorite driver of all time . Miss his F1 commentary to this day. Love ya man!

[@andrewganley9016]

Not a bad F5000 pilote either

[@terrystevens5261]

Are you related to Howden Ganley,another talented guy from the same era ?@@andrewganley9016

[@Pulsonar]

Wonderful 1st hand anecdotes of top-tier sportscar racing during the golden age of the early 70s, and really outstanding documentary quality. I want to download and compile these tasty little snippets into a personal archive.

[@calaiscruiser]

this is the best thing I've seen on KZbin in ages! What a lovely lovely car! Long live the V12!

[@MetalGuru965]

Mark Donahue said in his book that this car had to be completely stripped and rebuilt when they acquired it from the Ferrari factory as new. The electrical system was especially flawed. Donahue, being one of the finest racing engineers of all time, really deserved the credit for the car's preparation and performance.

[@thethirdman225]

I'd respectfully disagree here, though not radically. Donohue was a great development driver, rather than a great engineer. Sure, there's a level of cross-pollination and in those days drivers probably did have more say but something like the electrical system development would have been left to Penske's own engineers.

[@MetalGuru965]

TheThirdMan He was more than a development driver. He held a Mechanical Engineering degree from Brown. He understood the science of performance so he was able to fill both the development driver and race engineer roles together. Nothing was lost in communication this way. He even made this point in his book, which I recommend anyone who's interested in racing to read. I never claimed he re-wired the Ferrari himself. I only stated what he had stated about the quality of the wiring.

[@brianhartley2258]

+MetalGuru965 I've read the same book. What amazed me about the chapter on the 512M was that Donohue did not pull any punches with regards to Ferrari. Where one could have expected a sugar-coated narrative about that experience . . . what Donohue said was anything but that.

[@SpacemanXC]

Just a little fact about Ferrari's numbers. All the 312's in this era were named for their engines. A flat three liter twelve cylinder. Shot out to the 312 B2!! So in '71, anything branded '512' had a five liter twelve cylinder engine.

[@reactorfallout]

All Ferraris are named in relation to the engine. an F355 is a 3.5 litre/5 valves per cylinder. A 348 is a 3.4 litre/V8. A 250 GTO is 250cc per cylinder. A 599 is 5999cc's. a 328 GTB is 3.2 litres/V8 ect...

[@theant9821]

Originally Ferrari named their cars on the cc of 1 cylinder.

[@chriskelleher349]

And the Audi R8 is a V10.

[@maxiferrari08]

@@chriskelleher349 who cares about audi? Audi is shit, their quattro lost to a 2wd Lancia

[@willbeasy2898]

They also only did their chassis numbers in even numbers!

[@tonylockhart1963]

A beautifully made film, thank you so much for making it. A glorious car from a great era.

[@7775Kevin]

Great video. Fun to see David Hobbs describing the car's history.

[@irregularrex4004]

Wow I love these videos. So much history and beauty. To see and hear the craftsmanship of these amazing race cars. Great videos!

[@DownShiftRecords]

What an awesome piece of history! Awesome video *****

[@sanjursan]

Great to see David Hobbs narrate this video. I went to Mosport Canada in 1967 primarily to watch Jim Clark drive, but I did notice this young Hobbs in, I think, his third GP. Hobbs went on to a great career as a driver and commentator. Thanks for the upload.

[@flowtt6_830]

Quite Surely the most incredible sound I've ever heard in my life... Another great video, thank's Petrolicious

[@dryers23]

Yes David Hobbs my favorite F1 commentator "Clag fest" classic!!!............such a legend this man, out most respect ,,see you in Austin sir .!!!

[@Brivinci1]

I cant get over the view out of the cockpit. What an amazing sight! At speed, it feels like its approaching warp drive and set off for another dimension:-)

[@HAL9007]

I saw the Sunoco/Penske Ferrari at Daytona 24. Beautiful car. Penske was such a sniggler for detail. Friday late afternoon, I stood just behind the pit wall and watched Roger, Mark, pit crew going through their paces. Roger had a stopwatch, standing behind the car. Donahue started behind the pit wall. Penske yelled, "Go" and they mocked their driver change + 4 new tires + fuel. I can't remember exactly, but it seemed like about 10 seconds. Penske would look at his stopwatch and frown, shake his head, "Again." They repeated their drill at least a dozen times as I watched. They were all exhausted. Where was Hobbs? Haha. Roger was THE MAN. RIP, Mark. I believe a Porsche 917 and the NART 512S finished ahead of Donahue/Hobbs. Great era for endurance racing in the US. Daytona, Sebring, et al. Brumos Porsche, Martini-Rossi Porsche, et al. One year, the Matra showed up.

[@mattyturbo1]

David Hobbs! He is the reason I subscribed!

[@snivelinj7612]

OMG. Is this race car what a race car should look and sound like?? How does Ferrari do it year in and year out. Ferrari, Penske, Donohue, Hobbs !!! God, what a team !!!!

[@egelechad]

Your contents are the best. I found whatever look for, always.

[@andrewganley9016]

Has there been a more professional team than Penske? every car he ran was always beautufully prepared and that engine sound! along with Can Am and F5000 what a racing engine should sound like

[@bloqk16]

Agreed! When reading about the early years of the Penske team from the Mark Donohue book: "The Unfair Advantage," the Penske/Donohue combination was very innovative, too, that brought professional auto racing to a higher level. I couldn't help but notice you surname of "Ganley." Any relation to Howden?

[@andrewganley9016]

@@bloqk16 not as far as I know sadly! used to get calls asking me I was related to a Brit jazz drummer Alan Ganley

[@jacksonmarshallkramer5087]

The rims and tires of the 60s Le mans cars look so cool. The rims are so deep. Killer.

[@dyingangelo]

Listening to this on my jawbone jambox is amazing.. old race cars just sound glorious

[@Robert-xp4ii]

Now THAT is a f-in' BEAST!! Listen to that glorious growl. Shwing!!

[@tommyboy71]

Thanks David. Always enjoyed your commentaries. And most importantly, your racing.

[@mzondi1970]

Beautiful sound.

[@ikra]

Wow. Another great petrolicious episode. Brilliant. No other channels in youtube can provide the stuff you guys do.

[@hickslightfoot]

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these video/s and having one every Tuesday is wonderful... I really look forward to Tuesdays ... Keep up the great work guys...

[@5ifthLegionGaming]

I absolutely love this channel

[@rjs15570]

The golden era of Le Mans racing. Quite a feast for your ears and entirely different from the diesel/hybrid gen cars now in use. Epic drive! All that is missing is the smell of racing fuel. Well done. No work on the smellometer.

[@Disrupptive]

You can see the f40 took some styling and aero hints from this era of car. Absolutely beautiful

[@TheIDGE]

Possibly, but the F40 really morphed out of the 288 GTO. They created come racing hacks out of GTO's and these were developed into the F40.

[@82coxy]

TheIDGE The 288 GTO was built into a group B rally car back in the mid 80's but group B got banned before they could race it. Enzo Ferrari saw potential in it and decided to make it into a new production car (Ferrari F40).

[@a-fl-man640]

miss David, Steve, and Bob doing the F1 series on Speed, sigh. when that ended so did my cable subscription.

[@LPtheDESTROYER]

Amazing how ahead of its time it is. Its almost modern under the body shell.

[@RolloZx]

what a car...what a sound! They sadly dont make them like this anymore

[@priceoffreedom9030]

Thank you Petrolicious for bringing back such beautiful pieces of history and their story.

[@giantfisher]

Beautiful video. Excellent commentary. And THANK YOU for not having any music other than the engine!

[@ImpManiac]

Beautiful video. David Hobbs is one of my heroes. Thank you, Petrolicious! 😀 IM 😎

[@mattfair5659]

You guys need to make these videos about 5 times as long. I could sit here, and watch / listen to the cars you've featured for hours.

[@BradfordtheEclectic]

Fabulous to get David Hobbs perspective; a real treasure.

[@PCarDriver87]

That was awesome. What a great watch.

[@ghibli608]

Gosh, I loooove watching these fabulous "Petrolicious" reports! Keep up the good work, gents! Your reports have it all: interesting stories, eloquent speakers, gorgeous cars, great sound and amazing footage... Huge thumbs up! Thanks.

[@minketori]

I could repeat this part over and over again... This Ferrari 512 M Changed the Racing World Forever

[@guusbouman]

Really appreciate the class of this channel!

[@TheTheolm]

Beautiful landscape.

[@lejink]

I wish this video was an hour long

[@Quadrant14]

David Hobbs superb driver of any car, I am a Porsche man, but I love this car too

[@targaflorio3239]

IMO, another wonderful entry in the series. Great talent too. Please keep them coming Petrolicious. Love this classic cars series.

[@Baby1961-i5e]

David Hobbs is so cool. And he actual sounded completely sober. When he commentates on Formula 1 races, he sounds like he already had a few swigs of something. But the Speed Channel F1 coverage days were the best. With Bob Varsha, David Hobbs, Steve Matchet, and Peter Windsor on the grid. Peter Windsor was going to start an F1 team based in the US, but I wonder what happened.

[@jackdub75]

What a humble guy and what a noise that car makes! 😍

[@dyslexiusmaximus]

6:25 that oversteer and engine noise.😍

[@eugenio49111]

Era bellissima, un'altra creatura dell'ing. Forghieri, rivista ed elaborata dalla SUNOCO enginering e dal corridore Roger Penske . Gran capolavoro.

[@mgrzx3367]

I watched David Hobbs win a Camel GTP race on TV in a Bmw march? He was great on his good days, and was Awesome on his best. Thank You Sir David Hobbs, You are spectacular!!

[@heavenstomurgatroyd7033]

Wow just fucking wow... I had the fortune to stand near Mr. Hobbs at Sears point raceway in the early eighties. I have truly lived a dream....

[@marquesdeportago1596]

Can't be more beautiful

[@biro24]

Bravo, stunning car,me noise the wheels, the thought gone in to the rear view mirror, Beautiful!

[@TifosoTurk]

Thanks for sharing that. Gorgeous car and you gotta love Hobbsy.

[@GrandTrunkWestern85]

Love Mr. Hobbs hes such an icon

[@julianv.5848]

MAGNIFICENT CAR......SOUNDS LIKE THUNDER

[@eduardotarletta6475]

Thank you Mr Hobbs!!!

[@Sams911]

behind the venerable 917, my second favorite race car of all time!