In 1992, Porsche decided to build a sports prototype racer to compete in the FIA World Sportscar Championship (WSC). Norbert Sieger, who led Porsche’s Motorsport division at the time, was the project leader.
The result was the 956, which featured a –first for the company- aluminum monocoque chassis with power provided by a 2.65-liter turbocharged flat-six engine delivering 635HP.
The first prototype was completed on March 27, 1982, and Jurgen Barth gave it its first outing at Porsche’s Weissach private test track.
One year later, Stefan Bellof (who unfortunately died at the 1983 Spa endurance race after colliding with Jacky Ickx) set a blistering 6:11.13 lap time at the Nordschleife during the 1,000 km of Nürburgring qualifying session. The record, which equates to an average speed of 202 km/h (126 mph) at the daunting track, still holds until this day.
More than 30 years later, motoring journalist Chris Harris was invited to drive a 1987 Porsche 962, the (much safer) evolution of the 956 that was introduced for the 1985 season, at the exact same place.
Harris didn’t only drive the Rothmans-liveried car that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1987 and is usually on display at Porsche’s museum, but he also had an extensive interview with Singer, who explained in detail the thinking behind the creation of the all-conquering 956/962.
You can watch the video of Harris having a blast in the legendary racer right after the break.
By Andrew Tsaousis
VIDEO