A first win for Big Dan and Porsche at Rouen

Gurney-Hill-Phil_1962_France_01_BC

©CahierArchive

Dan Gurney and Porsche took their first world championship victory on this day in 1962, winning the French Grand Prix at Rouen.

The lanky American launched his race from the third row but ran into a bit of luck as front-runners McLaren, Brabham and Surtees all hit trouble, leaving Gurney to coast to an easy win, with Cooper's Tony maggs and BRM's Richie Ginther completing the podium.

And in this great photo by Bernard Cahier, reigning world champion Phil Hill, who wasn't competing that day as Ferrari had pulled out of the event, can be seen rushing in to congratulate his good friend Big Dan.