Unser’s 2nd success in Indianapolis 500

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32620, 31 May 1971, Page 22

Unser’s 2nd success in Indianapolis 500

(N.Z.P.A.JRcuter—Copyright)

INDIANAPOLIS.

The American, A. Unser, driving a Ford-powered Colt, led the Indianapolis 500-mile race for the last 80 laps and gained his second consecutive victory on Saturday. He set a record average speed of 157.735 miles an hour.

The race was worth about slm in prizes and endorsements to Unser, who beat by nearly 1 m.p.h. the previous record set in 1969 by M. Andretti. Unser crossed the finishing line about 25 seconds ahead of P. Revson, driving an Of-fenhauser-powered, Britishbuilt McLaren M-16. A. J. Foyt was third in a Fordpowered Coyote.

It was the first time since 1954 that a driver had won the race in successive years. W. Vukovich, snr, was the last to do so, in 1953 and 1954. HULME FORCED OUT

Only the British-built McLaren driven by Revson completed the 500 miles. D. Hulme, of New Zealand, also in a McLaren M-16, was forced out of the race on the 142nd lap when a broken fuel line sprayed oil into the cockpit. The other M-16, with M. Donohue at the wheel, went out of the race with mechanical trouble after 156 miles. The start of the race was marred by an accident involving the pace car and photographers who were taking pictures beyond the starting line. At least 12 people were injured in the accident, which occurred as the pace car

rolled and then skidded into a stand at the end of the pits. There were three accidents during the race. One of them, a two-car crash, involved D. Hobbs (England), and R. Muther (United States) in front of the main grandstand. Hobbs was unhurt, but

Muther was taken to hospital for X-rays.

Another accident involved A. Unser’s brother, R. Unser, and M. Mosley. Unser, driving an Offenhauser-Eagle, escaped unhurt but Mosley, at the wheel of a Ford-Eagle, suffered bums, a broken right elbow and p broken left leg. Donohue, who broke 180 m.p.h. during qualifying sessions, moved into the lead at the start and set a blistering pace before the mechanical troubles forced him into the pits and out of action. The lead fluctuated until A Unser took over with 80 laps to go and retained it until the end. The leading finishers were: Unser, 157.735 m.p.h., 1; Revson, 157.419, 2; Foyt, 156.075, 3; W. Ukovich, jnr (Offen-hauser-Brabham), 154.563, 4; J. Malley (Offenhauser-Eagle). 153.848, 5.