In 1985 Porsche simultaneously faced the FIA (Group C) and IMSA (GTP) championships with the optimized prototype 962. In order to adapt the car to IMSA GTP regulations, minor modifications had to be made, which led to the change of designation. However, the modified Porsche 962 could compete with the same specifications in Group C and GTP.
The main adjustment in the IMSA regulation stated that all cars should have the pedalboard behind the front axle line, for reasons of safety for the rider. As the Porsche 956 did not meet this requirement, the assembly in question was changed and renamed 962. Other modifications included a tubular steel safety structure and a temporary 2,800 cm3 engine and a single KKK AG K36turbocharger.
The Porsche 962 debuted with great success in 1984 in the IMSA series, winning four victories at Mid Ohio, Watkins Glen, Road America and Pocono. Porsche took second place in the GTP IMSA Championship just two points from the Chevrolet. Copies were also presented at the FIA World Championship, although overshadowed by the Porsche 956. The best result was a third place in the Brands Hatch 1000 Kilometers.
By 1985 the car was renamed Porsche 962C, as it would face both IMSA and FIA championships (Group C). Porsche equipped the 962C with a 3.200 cm3 Boxer engine with two twin turbochargers. Since the FIA would also include the modification of the pedalboard in the regulation, Porsche took advantage of its 962 and anticipated.
Porsche's dominance in the American IMSA series was overwhelming, winning 16 out of 17 competitions disputed. While in Europe, for the FIA Championship, the results were also positive. While the official 962C team lost the 24 Hours of Le Mans to a Porsche 956 of a private team, it was clear that the 962C was the new dominant car, winning 7 out of 10 races.
In 1986, the Porsche 962C won 13 IMSA GTP and 4 in FIA Group C, where tough rivals like Jaguar and Sauber Mercedeswere now appearing. The 1987 season was more complicated in FIA Group C, where Jaguar defeated Porsche, who barely won two races. The consolation was winning Le Mans. In IMSA the 962 expanded his superiority, crowned champion again.
The 1988 GTP championship was the last success of the Porsche 962, achieving the title with a margin of 1 point and winning only 3 races. Rivals like Nissan, Jaguar and later Toyota dethroned the Porsche 962, which derived from technology from the late 1970s.
In Europe Sauber and Jaguar beat Porsche. Although the 962C remained on track and achieved sporadic victories and podium finals until 1991. For the year 1994 Jochen Dauer modified a 962 named Dauer 962 LM. The ex-pilot managed to obtain the approval and thus compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Surprisingly, Dauer achieved the victory at Le Mans 1994 with his modified 962 GT LM car, defeating much more modern prototypes in technology and construction. Porsche had two Dauer cars for the race, which finished in first and third place in the competition. Thus, the Porsche 962 closed a glorious cycle in the history of sports motorsport.
© Adrián Blanco 2007 - No full or partial reproduction of text and/or images without explicit written consent of the author. —
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