Daring bet at Le Mans

Following rule changes in the World Sportscar Championship in 1992, which saw the number of Porsche 962 on track regress dramatically, Porsche was looking for ways to continue their successful sports car efforts. Although the 962s were still legal at Le Mans, the cars were subjected to the new regulations that negatively affected their performance, subsequently ceasing to be competitive.

Picture above: The Dauer Porsche 962 LM, at Le Mans in 1994. Future winners left: Hurley Haywood, Yannick Dalmas and Mauro Baldi in chassis #003, and future thirds: with Danny Sullivan, Hans Joachim Stuck, Thierry Boutsen, in chassis #002, on the right.

With the re-introduction of production-based grand tourer-style cars, the ACO had accidentally created a loophole in its regulations, as no specific number of road-going examples was established. With Jochen Dauer’s, a former racing driver, success in modifying a Porsche 962 into a street-legal car in 1993, Porsche saw an opportunity to bring the 962 back into competition.

Arriving at Le Mans with the support of Porsche’s factory racing team, Joest Racing, Dauer’s two cars showed that they lacked the overall pace of top Group C cars, by qualifying fifth and seventh. However, they were easily the fastest in their GT1-class.

The race saw Porsche’s plan pan out as the Dauer 962 Le Mans, and its larger fuel tank, were able to gradually make their way to the top of the standings while their competitors spent time in the pits. In the end, only a lone Toyota 94C could contend with the Dauers, taking second place overall.

The Dauer 962 Le Mans of Yannick Dalmas, Hurley Haywood and Mauro Baldi (picture below) would take the overall win, while the second team car would finish one lap behind, in third overall. A daring and winning bet by Porsche and Dauer at Le Mans.