956 Dominance

Win 7 – 956 (1982)

The advent of the Porsche 956 in 1982 marked a new era of dominance with one of Porsche’s notorious looks. Driven by Jacky Ickx and Derek Bell, the 956 featured a 2.65-liter turbocharged flat-6 engine, generating around 620 horsepower. Its groundbreaking aerodynamics and ground-effect design contributed to a three-lap victory.

Win 8 – 956 (1983)

In 1983, the 956 triumphed again, with Vern Schuppan, Hurley Haywood, and Al Holbert navigating a nail-biting finish to win by a mere 17 seconds. The car’s exceptional balance of power and handling was pivotal in this closely contested race.

Win 9 – 956B Joest Racing (1984)

The 956B continued Porsche’s success in 1984, as Henri Pescarolo and Klaus Ludwig drove to a two-lap victory. This variant featured refinements in aerodynamics and reliability, solidifying Porsche’s reputation for engineering excellence.

Win 10 – 956B Joest Racing (1985)

In 1985, the 956B, driven by Klaus Ludwig, Paolo Barilla, and Louis Krages (racing under the pseudonym ‘John Winter’), secured another win. The trio maintained a consistent pace, finishing three laps ahead of their nearest rivals.

Win 11 – 962 C LH (1986)

The evolution of the 956 led to the Porsche 962, which dominated the 1986 race. Driven by Derek Bell, Hans-Joachim Stuck, and Al Holbert, the 962 featured a 2.65-liter turbocharged flat-6 engine, producing around 620 horsepower. The team’s flawless performance resulted in an eight-lap victory.