This work chronicles the history of Porsche's 956/962 sports car. It includes the development story of the 956; its low-key debut at Silverstone in 1982; and the Joest team's two consecutive Le Mans victories. It also includes appendices of international race victories and technical specifications.
Unleashed in 1982, the Porsche 956 became the most successful purpose-built race car in history. Over the following decade, the 956 and its later long-wheelbase version, the 962, would win five consecutive world championships, as well as every single classic sportscar race in the world a record number of times: the Le Mans 24 Hours seven times, the Daytona 24 Hours six times and the Sebring 12 Hours four times, plus 39 world championship events and 55 IMSA races, to name but a few of its remarkable achievements. Many of the successes were achieved by works-entered cars, almost always in the iconic white-and-blue colours of sponsor Rothmans, and they form the focus of an extraordinary body of work researched and written by author Serge Vanbockryck over the past 30 years. This is the first part of his project, a two-volume production about the Works 956s, with a second such title on the Works 962s to follow in the summer of 2020.
Derek Bell’s name became inextricably linked with that of Porsche during his long and hugely successful career as a racing driver. In this new 276-page book, Bell collaborates with renowned motorsport author Richard Heseltine to give the reader a very personal insight into his experiences racing for the legendary German marque. The approach taken by this latest publication from Porter Press International is to look at every race Bell drove for Porsche, in detail and with revealing comments from the book’s subject. Light is cast on Bell’s most prestigious victories with Porsche - four of his five in the Le Mans 24 Hours, three in the Daytona 24 Hours, two in the World Sportscar Championship - and many more besides. Bell describes the Porsches he raced, from the fearsome 917 to the iconic 956, 962, and 911. And he shares his thoughts on the now-legendary drivers he raced with, including six-time Le Mans winner Jacky Ickx, the famously flamboyant Hans Stuck, and two immense talents who lost their lives to the sport, Jo Siffert and Stefan Bellof. The overall effect is a fascinating trip back in time to a golden era for Porsche and sports car racing as a whole.
Looking back on 70 years of the legendary marque at one of the world's greatest races, Porsche at Le Mans is authoritatively written and packed with photos, history, and results.
From 1983 to 1986, Fitzpatrick's operation made 66 Group C entries in 44 races in the World Endurance Championship, the German Deutsche Rennsport-Meisterschaft and the American Can-Am, winning three times and taking another 11 podium positions. This book tells the story of this exciting team, its five Group C Porsches and what became of them, its crews, its drivers, its races and - above all - its charismatic owner, John Fitzpatrick, arguably the best British driver never to have raced in Formula 1.
This richly illustrated book offers a complete history of Porsche, Germany's premium sports-car maker. Porsche 70 Years focuses on engineering and design stories, while also paying homage to key players.
Sports car racing enjoyed one of its strongest decades during the Group C era of the 1980s and early '90s. Competition was heightened by the participation of major manufacturers and private teams, as well as technical improvements in many fields. This photo history looks back at that time.
This definitive volume tells the full story of Porsche’s famed sports prototype and competition sports cars from 1953-1973. Authoritatively written and beautifully illustrated, it chronicles the ‘giant-killing’ years when Porsche was locked in combat with its arch rival Ferrari, and celebrates Porsche’s victories at events such as Le Mans and the Targa Florio, and its excellent placings in other World Sports Car Championship events.
The autobiography of Porsche’s most talented engineer. Hans Mezger joined Porsche in 1956 and within a few years was responsible for the design of both the early 1960s F1 engine and subsequently led the design of the six cylinder 911 engine. In 1965 he became head of the new race design office under the charismatic Ferdinand Piëch. Mezger led the development of all the iconic race prototypes of the 1960s, climaxing in the unforgettable 917 program. He was a principal contributor to all sixteen of Porsche’s victories in the famed Le Mans 24 Hours. When the McLaren-TAG F1 team came to Porsche for a turbo engine in the 1980s, he led the design and development that resulted in three consecutive F1 constructors’ titles. This personal account of a dedicated and loyal Porsche engineer will touch every enthusiast's heart and underline why the name of Porsche is so respected todaytobiography of Porsche’s most talented engineer. Hans Mezger joined Porsche in 1956 and within a few years was responsible for the design of both the early 1960s F1 engine and subsequently led the design of the six cylinder 911 engine. In 1965 he became head of the new race design office under the charismatic Ferdinand Piëch. Mezger led the development of all the iconic race prototypes of the 1960s, climaxing in the unforgettable 917 program. He was a principal contributor to all sixteen of Porsche’s victories in the famed Le Mans 24 Hours. When the McLaren-TAG F1 team came to Porsche for a turbo engine in the 1980s, he led the design and development that resulted in three consecutive F1 constructors’ titles. This rickly personal account of a dedicated and loyal Porsche engineer will touch every enthusiast's heart and underline why the name of Porsche is so respected today.
Le Mans in 2011 marks the 60th anniversary of Porsche's participation in the Le Mans 24 Hours. This anniversary is an ideal opportunity to provide a detailed study, packed with photos, narrative and data, of Porsche's part in the world's greatest motor race. Porsche's first visit to Le Mans was with a singleton entry of a streamlined 356 model, complete with aerodynamic fairings over the wheels. True to the reputation Porsche has established over its long association with the famous endurance race, this 356 ran like clockwork to 20th place, beating the coveted record for the shortest time spent in the pits. Since then, there have been Porsches entered for every single running of the 24 hours and the models that have taken part add up to a roll call of great sports racing cars: 550 Spyder, 718 RSK, 904, 906, 908, 910, 917, 936, 935, 956, 962 and GT1. And to this list can be added the ubiquitous 911, the privateer's choice for the race: in 1971, a year that saw a record number of Porsches take part, 19 of the 33 Porsches in the race were 911s. This book, compiled by a meticulous author with a passion for Porsche, provides definitive coverage of the subject, supported by full access to Porsche's archives of photographs, data and technical information.