Credit: Dominic James
Nine-time Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen spoke to decorated sports car driver, providing a technical insight into the DN4B, which was used during the 1974 Can-Am season by Alan Jones, Williams’ first Formula 1 champion.
Shortly after stepping out of the DN4B, Kristensen discussed his experience inside the cockpit and his interaction with the car during the 15-minute demonstration at the iconic Goodwood Motor Circuit.
“You sit in a rather uncomfortable position … your feet are dangerously close to any possible impact from insects,” he stated. “You definitely don’t want to have a frontal collision with something harder. [You are] sitting very low.
“Everything works mechanically. It has a 5-speed gearbox. When I’m in third gear, I can’t turn left because my hand hits the steering pin – the gear lever.
“The engine is impressive, it has power and a wide torque curve. I believe it’s reaching around 8000, maybe 7500 [rpm].
“Aerodynamically, it feels like you have both mechanical and aerodynamic grip.
“There’s a slight understeer. I think even we can feel it after a few laps, but it’s probably due to the drag on the car, which made it efficient on the small narrow circuits they raced on in Can-Am.
“So, obviously, it has a short wheelbase, which gives the impression of a car with good mechanical grip and incredible agility.
Thunderstorm at @GoodwoodRRC courtesy of Can-Am #81MM @EraMotorsport pic.twitter.com/oW4tyubcWA
“And if you step on it, it gets pretty wild … I can imagine they had a lot of fun in the Can-Am era, as these cars were fierce.
Having driven several iconic modern endurance prototypes throughout his brilliant career, Kristensen drew comparisons with the role played by the unrestricted Can-Am era.
“There are many similarities [with more recent high-downforce prototypes],” he said.
“But, of course, each year brings more efficiency and restrictions within the regulations.
“There are differences between the various decades.
“Many of the basic principles in current prototypes were undoubtedly learned from Can-Am.”
Kristensen is scheduled to drive the Shadow again on Sunday, April 14, at 13:50 local time, as Goodwood concludes its celebration of Can-Am.
