Porsche and Le Mans – past, present and future / Porsche au Mans : passé, présent et avenir

With a score of 16 victories to its name, Porsche boasts the best winning record at Le Mans. For the 90th anniversary race, the German make is back as a factory team, and will return with an LMP1 car in 2014, 16 years after its most recent success.

Avec 16 victoires aux 24 Heures du Mans, Porsche est le constructeur le plus titré dans la Sarthe. Pour le 90e anniversaire de la course mancelle, Porsche est officiellement de retour, avant de revenir en catégorie LMP1 en 2014, 16 ans après son dernier succès.

In addition to 16 wins, 50 podium finishes, 16 pole positions and 14 fastest race laps, Porsche holds other records at Le Mans, like the fastest average lap speed (251.815kph, Stuck, 1985, Porsche 962), plus the qualifying records in LMP2 and LMGTE Am round the current track.

Porsche has also been represented at the French race for an unbroken spell of 62 years since 1951, by 753 cars, 367 of which (49%) were at the finish. In 1971, 33 of the 49 cars on the grid were Porsches and, in 1983, the firm enjoyed an unrivalled top-eight finish! In 1982, it won every class!

Since 1951, 57* different models have taken class victories, and Porsche was also the first to race a flat-six engine at Le Mans (in 1965), a flat-12 engine (1969), a mixed petrol/ethanol engine (1980), a turbocharged engine (1974) and all-wheel drive (1986).

Since the triumph of the Porsche 356 of Veuillet/Mouche in the 751cc/1,100cc class in 1951, Porsche’s name has been intimately linked with that of Le Mans. In 1970, Ferry Porsche, son of founder Ferdinand Porsche, was invited to be official race-starter, the year the make secured its first victory in La Sarthe.

Its most recent victory (a one-two, in fact) dates back to 1998 (Porsche GT1/Michelin, McNish/Aiello/Ortelli). Fifteen years later, the German carmaker is back in an official capacity with two new Porsche 911 RSR/Michelins which will allow the team to train ahead of its entry with a hybrid prototype in 2014. The car made its track debut recently in Weissach, Germany. “It’s definitely a Porsche,” says Romain Dumas, one of the two drivers already confirmed for next year. “Its finish is impeccable but I can’t say any more than that for the moment. This weekend, our mission is to win the LMGTE Pro battle.”

This year, the make is celebrating the 50^th anniversary of its signature model, the Porsche 911. To mark the occasion, a number of international Porsche owner clubs have made the pilgrimage to Le Mans. There are 75 ‘official’ clubs worldwide (in partnership with Michelin) incorporating some 181,000 members.

Outre ses 16 victoires, 50 podiums, 16 poles et 14 meilleurs tours en course, Porsche détient différents records aux 24 Heures du Mans, comme celui de la meilleure vitesse moyenne au tour (251,815 km/h, Stuck en 1985 sur Porsche 962), deux records en qualif (catégorie LMP2 et LMGTE Am) sur le circuit actuel…

Porsche est aussi le constructeur le plus assidu des 24 Heures avec 62 années de présence ininterrompues depuis 1951, 753 voitures engagées pour 367 à l’arrivée (49%). En 1971, 33 des 49 voitures au départ étaient des Porsche. En 1983, Porsche a réussi un octuplé au Mans, du jamais vu ! En 1982, Porsche a carrément remporté toutes les catégories !

Depuis 1951, on a recensé 57* modèles différents ayant remporté leurs catégories. Porsche fut également un pionnier au Mans avec la 1^ère victoire d’un moteur 6 cylindres à plat (1965), d’un moteur 12 cylindres à plat (1969), d’un moteur alimenté en carburant mixte essence/éthanol (1980), d’un moteur turbo-compressé (1974), d’une transmission intégrale (1986).

Depuis la victoire de la Porsche 356 de Veuillet/Mouche en catégorie 751-1100cm³ en 1951, l’histoire sportive de Porsche s’est écrite aux 24 Heures du Mans. En 1970, Ferry Porsche, fils de Ferdinand Porsche fondateur de la marque, a eu le privilège de donner le départ de l’épreuve. De bon augure puisque cette année-là, Porsche a remporté la course mancelle pour la première fois.

La dernière victoire (doublé) au général remonte à 1998 avec la Porsche GT1/Michelin de McNish/Aiello/Ortelli. Quinze ans plus tard, Porsche est officiellement de retour dans la Sarthe. L’engagement de deux nouvelles Porsche 911 RSR/Michelin doit permettre à l’équipe de se roder pour 2014 et le retour de la marque avec un prototype hybride qui vient d’effectuer sa première sortie sur la piste privée de Weissach. « C’est bien une Porsche » reconnaît Romain Dumas, un des deux pilotes désignés pour la piloter en 2014. « Tout est bien pensé dans les moindres détails, la finition est impeccable… Mais je n’en dirais pas plus aujourd’hui. Pour l’instant, on a pour mission de gagner en LMGTE Pro. »

Le retour de Porsche au Mans ce week-end coïncide également avec le 50^e anniversaire de la Porsche 911, modèle phare de la marque. A propos des « Porschistes », différents clubs Porsche internationaux se retrouvent traditionnellement aux 24 Heures du Mans. Porsche compte 75 clubs « officiels » (en partenariat avec Michelin) et quelque 181 000 membres à travers le monde.

(*) class-winning Porsche models at Le Mans:

Porsche 356 - 550 - RS 550 A - RSK - 1600 GS - 965 GS - RS61 - 718/8 - 904 GTS - 904/6 - 906/6 - 911 S - 906 LH - 906 - 907/6 - 907/8 - 911 T - 908 - 910 - 908/02 - 917 K - 914/6 - 917 LH - 907 - 917 K - 917 S - Carrera RSR - Carrera Turbo - Carrera RS - Carrera S - 936 - 935 - Carrera - 934 - 936/78 - 935 K3 - 911SC - 936/81 - 924GTR - 924 GTP LM - 956 - 934T - 924 GTR - 930 - 962 C - 961 - 962 LM - TWR WSC 95 - 911 GT1 - 911GT2 - 911 GT1 98 - 996 GT3 - 911GT3 R - 911 GT3 RS - 996 GT3 RSR - 911 (997) GT3 RSR - RS Spyder.

RM to sell Laidlaw's Le Mans Legends in London

Now in its seventh year, RM’s London auction is one of the largest and finest in Europe. This year’s sale will see the inclusion of no fewer than three 1960s Le Mans entries, all sourced from the highly respected Laidlaw competition car collection.

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1965 Porsche 904/6

Their popularity as collection centrepieces mean classic Porsches with racing histories are becoming increasingly rare in the market. As a factory car, this 904/6 is more significant still; it not only competed in the 1965 Le Mans race, but also took sixth in the Nürburgring 1000km of the same year. Come auction weekend (7-8 September), we expect authenticity and history will once again prove invaluable when the hammer drops. 

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1960 Maserati Tipo 61 'Birdcage'

Thanks to its rarity, giant-killing competition history and the revolutionary tubular construction which gave it the ‘Birdcage’ nickname, the little Maserati Tipo 61 can consider the likes of D-types and Testa Rossas as its peers. This ex-Scuderia Camoradi car competed in the 1960 Le Mans 24 Hours, having placed fifth in the Nürburgring 1000km a month earlier in the talented hands of Masten Gregory and Gino Munaron.

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1966 Ferrari 275 GTB/C Berlinetta Competizione by Scaglietti

Of this trio of Le Mans cars, the ex-Ecurie Francorchamps Ferrari 275 GTB/C enjoyed the most success at La Sarthe, placing 10th overall in the 1966 race and winning the Mont Ventoux Hillclimb that same year. Opportunities to acquire genuine Le Mans Ferraris come few and far between, so expect some lively bidding in Battersea come September.

Related Links A preliminary list of the lots at RM's sale in Battersea, London can be found atrmauctions.com.

Text: Joe Breeze (Classic Driver)
Photos: RM Auctions

Le Mans in 2023

In 10 years’ time, the world’s greatest endurance race will celebrate its centenary edition. What sort of grid can we look forward to in 2023? We put the question to a number of Le Mans personalities.

Can you imagine magnetic levitation prototypes through the Porsche Curves? Or solar-powered GT cars having to settle for a slow top-speed down the Mulsanne Straight in the hours of darkness? None of the people we quizzed at the circuit mentioned either of these solutions…

We started by speaking to the ACO’s president, Pierre Fillon: “Good question. I think we will see a mix of GT cars and prototypes, of course, because that’s a Le Mans tradition we don’t want to lose. I also believe we will see some advanced technology as the engineers use their skill and foresight to extract the most from the 2014 regulations which have been developed to encourage innovation. No doubt we will see new hybrid systems. I think the next seven or eight years will be dominated by hybrid powertrains and, in 10 years’ time, maybe we will see a fuel cell car capable of winning Le Mans…”

Allan McNish says that the future is now: “In the space of seven years, we have seen the arrival of diesel technology, then diesel/electric and petrol/electric hybrids, and there’s an electric car due next year. Things are moving faster and faster. Perhaps the race will be quieter and greener, with increasingly energy-efficient cars. We will also see a simulator-generation of drivers. Tom and I will obviously have joined Dindo in retirement! Things will change for the spectators, too. The older fans will continue to make the pilgrimage, but the youngsters will love the race and its technology, too. My son will be 18 and I’m sure he will be very interested in hybrid, electric and fuel cell technologies.”

“I just want lots of power, whether it comes from electricity or a hybrid engine; I want to be there for the first sub-three minute lap at Le Mans,” quipped Alexander Wurz.

“It will probably be very quiet,” added his Toyota team-mate Anthony Davidson. “I suppose I will be able to hear the spectators crack open their beer cans at the start! Seriously, I think we will see five or six manufacturers challenging for victory in a bid to showcase their technologies.”

The engineers took their time before answering: “Yes: hybrids, plug-in systems, fuel cells, as well as biomass gas. Respect for the environment will be a big parameter. In 2003, we were already looking at diesel engines, but we certainly weren’t thinking in terms of hybrid technology at that time at Audi,” said Audi’s Technical Director Dr Martin Mühlmeier.

Toyota Racing boss Pascal Vasselon doesn’t believe in 100% electricity: “I think endurance racing will be the last discipline where electric cars will be able to rival with other types of car. That said, I think we will see some very advanced hybrid cars, or even fuel cell vehicles.”

In a way, the ACO Sports Director Vincent Beaumesnil could influence the trend: “Globally, the classes will be what they are today, and as they were in 2003. We will have LMP1s, LMP2s, plus ‘pro’ and ‘privateer’ GT cars. We are looking for a certain stability with regard to the chassis. The 2014 regulations, which are intended to cover a period of at least three years, leave scope for real technological evolutions. Electric technologies, fuel cell hybrids will develop very quickly. The manufacturers appreciate this opportunity and some will be prepared to take risks. After all, diesel/electric hybrids were little more than an abstract concept just five years ago…”

“The ACO has a clear, intelligent vision. This event has a great past and a fine future. Races will be decided by tiny details. They will be closer, more intense and more popular than ever. High technology will not detract from the spirit of Le Mans. On the contrary,” concluded Tom ‘Mr Le Mans’ Kristensen.

good night