Porsche Blogs

Porsche ready for Le Mans re-run

Posted on 20. Jul, 2011 by PB in 911

Porsche has surprised the motorsport world by announcing its plans to return to the legendary 24-hour Le Mans race by 2014. The supercar manufacturer is the most successful overall in the history of Le Mans, winning in all classifications 16 times. However, the company has not won since 1998, with fellow German team Audi being the most successful team of recent years, winning from 2004-2008 and 2010-2011.

The 5 most successful teams

• Porsche: 16 wins
• Audi: 10 wins
• Ferrari: 9 wins
• Jaguar: 7 wins
• Bentley: 6 wins

Le Mans is renowned for its technical innovation. Its twin demands – speed and lengthy endurance – have meant that manufacturers have had to adapt and work hard at producing the most efficient cars for this unique race.

Regulations have changed over the years, and race teams have had to think on their feet continually. For example, in the early 1970s the oil crisis meant that the amount of fuel cars could use was capped, forcing manufacturers into extremely fuel-efficient designs.

Likewise, when the race first ran (in 1923), there were no rules about how many drivers could be used, so teams would typically only use two – although some (famously Pierre Levegh and Eddie Hall) ran solo in an attempt to save time. In the 1990s regulations were introduced to reduce the danger of driver fatigue, and now drivers cannot run for more than four hours consecutively and fourteen hours overall.

Porsche will look to build on its RS Spyder’s motorsport success and induce a smooth transition to Le Mans. The manufacturer also seems likely to introduce a completely new type of supercar – Porsche’s GT3 R Hybrid promises another new direction in racing technology. Shortly before the announcement of their intention to return to Le Mans, a Porsche 911 won the Nurburgring 24-hour race with a Hybrid 911 finishing for the very first time – ominous signs indeed for Porsche’s competitors.

So, it’s all change in the world of motorsport. Again. The rally driving experience may be unrecognisable to the Le Mans forefathers of the 1920s, but Porsche’s return would put them at ease. Driving experience days are the closest most of us get to motor racing, but having Porsche back on our screens is a not a bad second best.