Porsche is one of the most iconic car companies in the world. Not only are their cars a symbol of luxury and performance, but they also have an impressive motorsport history.
Founded by Ferdinand Porsche in 1931, the company has always been at the forefront of innovation in racing and engineering.
The race that never happend
The first Porsche race car to compete was the legendary Type 64 Berlin-Rome racer. This car was designed to compete in an open road race between Berlin and Rome, but due to World War II that race never happened.
Nonetheless, it marked the beginning of a long career of motor racing success for Porsche.
The real start
The first real start of the long and storied history of motorsport success was in the 1950s. The German automaker first took to the track with its iconic Porsche 356, competing in rallies and hillclimbs around Europe.
Its cars won several major events including the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Targa Florio and Carrera Panamericana.
These early successes laid the foundations for Porsche to become one of the most successful manufacturers in racing history.
Over the years Porsche has gone on to become one of the most successful teams in motorsport history. They have won countless championships and races, including 17 overall victories at Le Mans since their debut race back in 1951.
Porsche has also seen success in Formula 1, Rallying, and even NASCAR over the years.
In 1968, Porsche unveiled its now-iconic 917 race car. It was designed with an aerodynamic body shape, powerful engine and advanced chassis setup that made it one of the most competitive cars on the track at the time.
The 917 went on to dominate endurance racing throughout the 1970s, winning several prestigious events such as Daytona 24 Hours, 12 Hours of Sebring, Nurburgring 1000KM and many others.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Porsche continued to compete at both professional level and amateur level races around Europe and North America.
Porsche also had considerable success in rallying where they won three consecutive world rally championships between 1979 and 1981 with their 911 SC RS model driven by Björn Waldegård. They also dominated North American IMSA GT races during the 1980s with their 962 series cars winning seven consecutive titles from 1984 to 1990.
In 1998 they won their 16th overall victory at Le Mans with their 911 GT1 Evo model. This win solidified their place as one of the greatest teams in motorsport history.
Today
Today, Porsche continues to be a major force in motorsport with their modern 911 models competing in various series around the world including GT3 Cup Challenge Series, IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and more recently Formula E electric race series.
With over 70 years of experience under its belt, Porsche is sure to remain one of motorsports greatest manufacturers for many years to come
Their success has earned them several awards and recognition from various organizations around the world for their achievements in motorsport.
In 2020, Porsche was awarded a special award from FIA for its contribution to motorsport over the past 70 years, which is a testament to how influential they have been in this sport over such a long period of time.
Porsche is an automotive icon, and its history and heritage are some of the most fascinating in the automotive world.
From the innovative designs of Ferdinand Porsche to the iconic 911, Porsche has a rich history that has shaped the automotive world for more than a century.
It is clear that no matter what discipline or series it competes in, Porsche remains one of the most successful manufacturers ever when it comes to motorsport competition – a testament to its engineering excellence and passion for performance.