Porsche 956/962

It is 44 years since the all-conquering Porsche 956 burst onto the racing scene. Over a twelve-year period, from 1982 to 1994, the 956 and its successor, the 962, dominated the sport in a manner not seen before and in the process rewrote the aerodynamics rulebook. 1982 was the first year of the new Group C regulations, and while much was expected, many were unsure how this new era would unfold. The first two Florida races that year, the Daytona 24 Hours and the Sebring 12 Hours, were run in January and March, respectively, while the Porsche 956 was still undergoing final development and testing.

The ‘white, red and blue’ 956 LHs line up at Weissach ready for their onslaught at the Le Mans 24-Hour 1982. © Corporate Archives Porsche AG

In fact, Porsche 956 chassis #001 first turned a wheel at the Weissach test track on 27 March 1982. So it had not even appeared by the time the first round of the World Endurance Championship (WEC) was held at Monza on 18 April. As it happened, the new Porsche would not be ready for competition before the Silverstone race in May.