Vic tells his Victory in the “Targa Florio 1968”

(extract from his book: REFLECTIONS ON A GOLDEN ERA IN MOTORSPORTS"): 

”On my first visit in 1967 I worked hard to learn the circuit and finished third in a Porsche 910, behind two more powerful 907s. By the time I had finished practicing in 1968 I believed I really, TOTALLY knew the track - every corner, every surface change, every braking point.
At the start I set off very fast, completely at home and comfortable on the fast run up to the village of Cerda. Very fast through the village and then disaster! As I turned left to start the climb into the mountains I suddenly had no traction. Thinking that the clutch had failed I climbed out and found the right rear wheel almost falling off. The center lug nut had come undone and the wheel had slipped off the splines. To my amazement, the spectators immediately rushed to my aid, lifting the car with their bare hands so I could tighten the wheel.
At Bivio Polizi, high in the mountains all the major teams had established an unofficial pit area. The mechanics gave me a new rear wheel and sent me on my way. A few kilometers later the wheel came off again, this time putting me off the road and puncturing a front tire. Incredibly, the spectators again came to my aid lifting the car while I tightened one wheel and replaced the front one with the Goodyear “Space saver” spare.
By the time I got back to the pits, had all four wheels AND lug nuts replaced and set off again, I was more than eighteen minutes behind the leader!

Thinking that victory was now impossible I decided the only thing to do was try for a new lap record – every lap! By doing that and driving seven of the ten laps I was able to claw back the lost time, took the lead on the penultimate lap, and won.

This was undoubtedly my greatest and most deserved victory – ever.”