The biggest Porsche festival in the world — Rennsport Reunion V — is this weekend. Car enthusiasts from around the world will descend upon Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca to watch Porsches of all types and vintages race around the famous California race track, and we can think of no better way to build (warranted) excitement for the event than recording factory driver Patrick Long practicing behind the wheel of a 917K.

The car in question is the 917 recently restored by Porsche Motorsport North America, and it’s a different animal than the 911 RSR Long currently races. With 600+ horsepower, basic aerodynamics, and a throttle “made just zero and full,” according to Porsche Historic Motorsport’s Klaus Bischoff, it is not as forgiving to drive as modern machines.

Racing legend Hurley Haywood, who drove 917s in their heyday, touches on the topic of modern drivers in old race cars in the video. Watch the video below (courtesy Porsche's Twitter account) — and turn the volume up. If you’re going to RRV, look for this car in the paddock and on track.

(See what activities PCA has in store at RRV here.)

Source: Porsche