Another Quiet weekend in January

Before All Hell broke loose at Daytona International Speedway!

 

Purely by happenstance, I stumbled into the Mexico City ePrix being shown on CBS, Sunday, January 10th at 1:30PM. (Pacific) With my Zap-2-It TV Guide telling me it was 1.5hrs duration. Further learning it was a truncated 90mins “Highlights” package of the day’s outing. Including a pre-race preamble, discussing Andretti’s new arrival Felipe Drugavich – who they interviewed. Then Qualie’ result and the entire race, albeit cut up into numerous, annoying 9mins “chunks” before the next commercial break, Spew!

 

As I hadn’t paid any Attenzione to Formula e at all since last scribbling in “earnest” about Portland’s ePrix Wayback’ in the summer of 2023…

 

A Quiet Day in the Rose City

 

Whilst I’ve got zero clue when the last time I sat and “watched”, Err listened to an ePrix race was? Other than many, many years ago…

 

Being Blind Y’all, have I mentioned that lately? Although my ears pricked up over several items. But I must confess, Formula e’s the most difficult racing series to follow for Mwah, due to its lack of any relevant racecar noise.

 

The first thing that caught my Attenzione was Hey! That voice sounds familiar! As it was indeed IndyCar Pit Reporter and IMSA “colour” Commentator Ryan Marin as the lead Announcer. Whilst I swear that had to be Karun “Cowboy” Chandok reporting from Pitlane and hosting the post-race podium interview, Ole!

 

The other bit that caught my No. 4 wire, was the mention of Autodromo Hermanos Rodriquez only being 1.6 mile lengths. (1.619m) Or as Professor Steve Matchett would say is 2.606Km in “New Money”. As the Formula E circuit is some 1.5 miles shorter and features 16 turns vs. the Gran Premio cicuito’s 17 turn layout.

 

And without going thru everything, albeit a la Formula 1. This year’s 12th season of Formula E is the longest, with a record 17 races. With Mexico City being Round 2.

 

There’s a total of 10 teams. With Nissan’s Oliver Rowland sporting the No. 1 plate as the series defending Drivers Champion.

 

The other nine teams are: Cutra Kiro, DS Penske, Jaguar, Lola Yamaha, Envision Racing, Mahindra Racing, Citroen Racing, Andretti Formula E, and Porsche Formula E Team.

 

There’s a total of three American “flagged” entries, with Andretti Formula E and  DS Penske being familiar. As the latter is owned by Jay Penske, son of El Capitano’, nee Roger Penske.

 

Yet I’ll admit that this mystery Cutra Kiro name is totally foreign to Mwah, which I’ll scribble about a different day, as this No Fenders yarn is starting to unravel…

 

And although I know very little about Formula E, I must admit I was pulling for Pascal Wehrlein and Edoardo Mortara for different reasons. Mortara having won Formula E’s 50th and 100th races, with Mexico City being the series 150th ePrix. Which obviously would have been a great symmetry.

 

Whilst Wehrlein was for sentimental reasons. Including being a former formula 1 driver who never got His due with a proper F1 team. Having driven for the struggling, Minnowesqe Manor alongside Esteban Ocon Wayback’ in 2016.

 

As both drivers were Mercedes Werks’ Pilotes, both winning DTM titles before being elevated to Formula 1. With Ocon still racing F1 a decade later…

 

Although there was typically no sound emitted from these impressive Gen 3’ Evo racecars, other than the associated whine of mechanical parts and tyre noises. It was interesting hearing Wehrlein breathing heavily when conversing on His In-car radio due to the track’s high elevation. With Mexico City being at some 7,350 feet above Sea level, Aye Karumba!

 

The other bit to get used to and understand was the required usage of two separate maximum Overtake modes, Err Attack Mode. Which we’ll All be learning about in Formula 1 this season.

 

As Formula E’s Attack Mode boosts car performance by 50 KW, to a maximum 350 kW. (Kilowatts) Including All Wheel Drive! (4WD)

 

Which if I understand correctly, Ci? Drivers can choose how to utilize the two Attack mode sessions. Either in a 2+6, 4+4 or 6+2 minutes duration during the race.

 

And whilst both Wehrlein and Mortara took there turns in the lead. It was an uber impressive victory by Nick Cassidy for Citroen Racing, storming from 13th place. As look Ma, No David Cassidy jokes Thar, Hya!

 

Fittingly, although planned ahead of time. Porsche ran a special tribute livery at the Mexico City ePrix. As both Wehrlein and teammate Nico Muller’s Porsche’s were running an all silver throwback livery. Commemorating the 75th Anniversary of Porsche’s involvement in Motorsports.

 

Porsche Formula E Team marks 75 years of Porsche Motorsports with Carrera Panamericana tribute livery

 

As the special livery tribute was most Apropos, with legendous’ Porsche driver Hans Herrman having died the day prior at the remarkable age of 97, Ja Volt!

 

Having just learned that Herrmann finished third overall, and first in the under 1.5-litre Class in the grueling Carrera Panamericana in 1954 behind the wheel of an iconic silver Porsche 550 Spyder.

 

Whilst I love the story about Herrmann, a Baker by trade’s racing instincts during the 1954 Mille Miglia.

 

Approaching a railroad crossing’ lowering gate , and deciding it was too late to brake! Hans simply knocked on the back of navigator Herbert Linge’s helmet to make Him duck! As the pair barely made it underneath the lowering gate, And the Porsche 550 Spyder rocketed past the train to the stunned crowd’s approval! With Herrman and Linge winning the race’s 1.5-litre Class.

 

Although I did know from my extensive five part Triple Crown Winners story, that Herrmann was the first of nine drivers who’ve won le 24 Heurs du Mans, 24 Hours of Daytona and 12 Hours of Sebring overall. Which Y’all can read in the following No Fenders link below.

 

LE MANS 100C: Celebrating Drivers who’ve Claimed the Triple Crown of Endurance Races 

Hey Santa, All I want is A Yellowbird

Although I think that Bird’s long Done Flowin the Coup!

 

“White bird

In a Golden Cage,

On a Winter’s day

In the Rain, alone.

 

White Bird must Fly

Or She will Die!”

 

VIDEO: White bird

 

Hey, aren’t’ white Doves Snowbound during winter? Or hanging out in a Partridge tree, or something to that effect, eh?

 

Yeah, Y’all know its that time of the year. When we send our wish list to Ye North Pole.

 

Although I know ‘Ol Saint Nick will struggle to find room in His sleigh for this item. Nonetheless, I’ve always been fascinated by this long ago Ruf Yellowbird, ever since I bought the original 1987  Road & Track magazine it was featured in.

 

Some of the Supercars involved in that Road & Track “Shootout” included a pair of Porsche 959’s, a Lamborghini Countach LP5000 QV, (Quattro Valvole) a Ferrari 288 GTO and Testarossa. Along with an unheard of Isdera Imperator 108i, say what? A Mercedes AMG Hammer, two Koenig “Tuner” Porsche 911’s. And a Yellowbird Ruf 911 CTR in that Damn tree!

 

As here’s the long forgotten article from road & Track’s July, 1987 issue on their World's Fastest Cars run at Volkswagen’s Ehra-Leissen test track in Germany, written by John Lamm.

 

In 1987, the Worlds Fastest Cars couldn’t catch a 211mph twin-turbo Ruf

 

As the chauffeurs of these precious Supercars on the 15-mile high speed test track with two seven mile straights. Were none other than Phil Hill and Paul frere, both being highly accomplished drivers. Will Hill being America’s first Formula 1 Champion. Whilst Frere won the 1960 24 Heurs du Mans with fellow compatriot Olivier Gendebien. Whom Hill won Le Mans with three times. Making Gendebien the first four-times winner…

 

As perhaps I’m giving this Porsche 911, that really isn’t a Porsche Cult-like status. But hey, how can you not want one of Supercars Holy Grail Santa?

 

1987 Ruf CTR Yellowbird Porsche 911 Turbo Driven!

 

Or if you cannot find me one of these ultra rare Yellowbird’s, then perhaps something from Alois Ruf’s latest offering, Eh?

 

Ruf’s new 225mph Yellowbird has 700bhp, Carbon Fibre chassis

 

Partial Song lyrics from: It’s A Beautiful Day’s White Bird; 1969 Band’s Self titled Album. 

Two legendous’ Hollywood Pranksters

Who shared more than just their Good looks Onscreen…

 

The recent passing of Robert Redford at age 89 on September 16th. For reasons unknown, made me Flashback to a passage in Shawn Levy’s Paul Newman: A Life Biography, that I extensively chronicled here upon No Fenders in Gory 2022.

 

The portion I fondly recalled, involved a certain Sports Car being mischievously given as a gift to one of our two Hollywood Hunks. Although I searched the All knowing Intrawoods’ to “See” if I’d remembered correctly?

 

Since after all, everything on Al gore’s wonderous invention is true, Righto?

 

Yeah, Redford indeed pulled a massive prank upon ‘Ol Blue Eyes, ergo Paul Newman for His 50th Birthday in 1975! As Newman was born January 25, 1925, and Redford born August 18, 1936.

 

As I’d never before been curious of their respective age difference, with Newman being some 11.5-plus years older, with Redford still being 38yrs old when pranking Newman…

 

Both Redford and Newman were huge Porscheaphiles’, as I didn’t know until Redford’s death. That He’d once owned an ultra rare 1964 Porsche 904 Carrera GTS, which He purchased in 1966, and owned for some ten years.

 

Thus Redford owned this ultra rare racecar some three years before His breakthrough to Stardom in Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid, which debuted on September 23, 1969. Following Paul Newman starring in Winning, which was initially released on May 17th. With both films being produced by Newman Foreman Company.

 

Redford became annoyed with how much Newman incessantly talked about racing and cars. And thus, for Newman’s 50th Birthday, Redford had a wrecked, totally scrapped Porsch delivered to Newman’s home!

 

Reportedly, Redford says they were both living in Connecticut then, and He called a local towing service. Asking if they had any crushed cars, specifically Porsche’s on hand?

 

Funny you should ask that. We just so happen to have a Porsche that was totally crushed by a car falling upon it sitting here. To which Redford said hold it. I want to wrap it in paper and put a bow on it. Then He asked if they could deliver it to Paul Newman’s house and put it on His back porch!

 

Next, Newman retaliated. As a few weeks later, a large wooden crate was surreptitiously delivered to Redford’s rented Connecticut House. Which when Redford opened the crate, contained a wrecked Porsche automobile that had been crushed into a cube!

 

Yet undaunted, Redford had the last laugh of this prank. Having a sculptor friend turn the Porsche cube into a piece of Garden Art which you guessed it. Was immediately placed in Newman’s garden…

 

As the best thing about this, and presumably other countless ensuing pranks. Is that neither man ever mentioned one iota about them to each other.

 

You can read my Paul Newman book review in the following No Fenders link…

 

Paul Newman’s A Life Book review

 

Or pass “GO”, without collecting $200, and skip directly to my Paul Newman racing career tome instead…

 

Diving into Paul Newman’s Racing career

 

(Info source: rennlist.com) 

Happy Fathers Day!

The two Tom’s, ergo Tomas Senor & Tomaso celebrate a different Holiday. (The Tomaso Collection)

 

As what better way to celebrate than with some ‘lil 24 Hours race in the French countryside, Wee-Wee…

 

SO I was never real good at celebrating Fathers Day. Since it will always be inexorably linked to the Portland IndyCar race held that weekend every year during the CART and Chump Carz’ era – which I attended yearly for some two-plus decades.

 

Although I did try Honouring Pops’ with a story about His Porsche. But can it really already be seven years since I scribbled that No Fenders story?

 

http://www.nofenders.net/2017/06/retro-my-fathers-porsche.html

 

Whilst I myself will be celebrating Fathers Day by listening to copious amounts of le 24 Heurs du Mans – like I do yearly, after naturally calling my Father! 

Porsche’s modern day Open Wheel Racing exploits

With Stuttgart triumphing in Formula 1 briefly…

 

The 1980’s were heady times for Porsche, with it’s multi-pronged foray’s into single seater racing, a discipline that Stuttgart wasn’t renown for…

 

Thee Ronster’, aka Ron Dennis shrewdly enticed Mansour Ojjeh, owner of TAG Electronics to foot the bill for a brand new 1.5-litre turbocharged engine. Although McLaren’s Nicholson massaged Cossie’ (Cosworth) normally aspirated 3.0-litre DFV V-8’s were still competitive vs. the turbo revolution in 1982. Obviously the writing was on the wall…

 

The 90 degrees 1.5-litre V-6 Porsche designed engine, built to McLaren’s Technical Director John Barnard’s tight packaging specifics, in order to mate to it’s revolutionary MP4/2 chassis were ultimately fast-tracked with a hastily converted MP4/1E racecar for the end of the ’83 F1 season, making it’s debut at the Dutch Grand Prix.

 

The McLaren MP4 was the first carbon fiber composite racecar to compete in Formula 1, for which the MP4/2 was an evolution designed specifically for the TAG-Porsch turbo engine, since it’s predecessor had been built for the aging Cosworth DFV V-8.

 

Upon the firing of thee “Professor”, aka Alain Prost from Renault, Dennis immediately snapped up the Frenchman’s services in favour of Wattie’, aka John Watson. And with Prost joining Niki Lauda, the rest was History!

 

And although initially Porsche was weary of having it’s name upon the engine due to fears of uncompetitiveness. Obviously this quickly changed, as Prost and Lauda won a total of eleven races, with Prost outscoring Lauda 6-5. Yet it was Niki “The Rat” Lauda winning the 1984 F1 World Championship by a solitary point ahead of teammate Prost!

 

McLaren would also win the first of two, consecutive F1 Constructors Championships with the TAG-Porsche engine that season. With the Woking based outfit utilizing updated MP4/2B and MP4/2C chassis for the 1985-86 Formula 1 season.

 

Prost would claim His first F1 Drivers titles in 1985, before clinching a second consecutive crown in ’86. With “The Professor” ultimately outscoring Lauda 16-6 for wins over the duo’s three years before Lauda retired from F1.

 

For ’87, Prost got a new teammate, with ‘lil Stevie Johnson, aka Stefan Johansson joining McLaren for one year. Yet the once dominant TAG-Porsche V-6 turbo was nearing the end of it’s lifecycle, especially with Honda’s V-6 turbo becoming a real threat!

 

Alas, McLaren could only muster three wins with it’s MP4/3 in 1987, all by Prost vs. Williams/Honda’s nine. Along with two more Lotus/Honda victories for a total of eleven by the Japanese rival! In what would be the final year of competition for the TAG-Porsche lump’.

 

As McLaren would score 25 wins and seven Poles enroute to three F1 Drivers titles and two Constructors Championships between 1983-87.

 

When I think of Porsche and Indy Cars, I immediately think of the iconic green and white Quaker State March Porsche that Teo Fabi drove during the late 1980’s. For which I’ve kept an unbuilt Monogram? 1:24 or 1:25 scale plastic model kit forever, which I’d planned to build when I still had my eyesight! Yet I’m getting ahead of myself.

 

Porsche actually planned to race at the Indianapolis 500 in 1980, in a purpose built IndyCar chassis. As Ted Field commissioned Eagle IndyCar Designer Roman Slobodynskyj to pen His Interscope IR01.

 

This single seater chassis was intended to be powered by a air cooled Flat six turbocharged variant akin to what the Porsche 935 was powered by. And not being a stressed member engine, the IR01 consisted of a tube frame rear end “cradle” to house the Porsche engine.

 

Originally running to stock block turbo boost regulations of 55-inches. Word got out about how fast the racecar was, after setting an unofficial lap record at IMS sister track Ontario during testing! With fellow USAC competitors effectively lobbying USAC to reduce the Porsche’s boost to 48-inches and effectively neutering the Porsche’s “advantage”. With Porsche quickly pulling the plug upon this effort.

 

Porsche returned to IndyCar in earnest in the Fall of 1987, with the project led by the late Al Holbert.

 

As Porsche introduced it’s own carbon fibre chassis dubbed the 2708 in 1987. Which made it’s debut at Laguna Seca wit big Al’ (Unser) at it’s controls, finishing a quiet P24 after retiring on lap-7.

 

Yet Porsche quicky dropped it’s own 2708 IndyCar chassis for a March 88C customer chassis the following season. With Teo Fabi scoring six Top-10 finishes and a best of fourth at Nazareth enroute to tenth overall during Porsche’s first Full season campaign.

 

As the Porsche North America IndyCar entity reached it’s zenith during the 1989 CART PPG IndyCar World Series season. Once again with Teo Fabi as it’s driver.

 

Yet during Porsche’s most successful season Al Holbert wouldn’t get to witness Teo Fabi scoring Porsche’s first Pole position ironically at my Home track of Portland International Raceway during the 1989 Budweiser/G.I. Joes 200. Or Fabi subsequently scoring Porsche’s lone IndyCar victory also from Pole at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course later that summer.

 

As Holbert would perish in a private plane accident after taking off from Columbus, Ohio following the IMSA Columbus street race on September 30, 1988. With Teo Fabi finishing an impressive fourth overall in the championship during the ’89 IndyCar season.

 

Porsche then expanded to a two car entry during it’s final IndyCar season (1990) with Fabi being joined by “Gentleman John” Andretti, with the duo racing in white and blue Fosters livery.

 

Yet John Andretti could only muster tenth overall in the championship with a pair of fith place finishes at Cleveland and Vancouver, BC.

 

With Fabi scoring one Pole at Denver and the team’s solitary podium, a third place finish at the Meadowlands enroute to P14 in the standings. Before Porsche withdrew from IndyCar at season’s end.

 

Porsche then made one last, dismal attempt at returning to formula 1 for the ’91 season, which spectacularly failed! Providing what Alan Jenkins, then Footwork Arrows Technical Director says was basically a “reheated”, warmed-over V-12 lump!

 

Claiming the 3.5-litre normally aspirated V-12 unit was nothing more than two old 90-degrees V-6 turbo motors mated together minus the turbocharging units.

 

Yet the Porsche 3500 V-12 motor was reportedly overweight, lacked Horsepower and suffered from Oil starvation, with Footwork failing to qualify for half of the races entered that season! Before the team dumped the Porsche V-12 in favour of customer Cosworth DFR V-8’s instead.

 

As Porsche has since solely focused upon Sports Car racing, although it’s planned attempt to return to F1 in 2026 as an engine supplier to Red Bull ultimately failed due to Stuttgart wanting a 50-50 partnership with Red Bull. Whilst Seester’ VW owned Audi has bought the Sauber F1 Team, which will become a Full werks’ Audi effort in 2026… 

LE Mans: Porsche’s prestigious Overall Winner’s list

Which reads like a veritable Who’s Who of Man and Machinery…

 

Funny how I first learned about Porsche celebrating it’s 75th Anniversary. Which I discerned when perusing last year’s 24 Heurs du Mans entry list.

 

Since in typical “Penske Perfect” fashion, or El Capitano’, nee Roger Penske’s “Attention to Detail”. The third Porsche Penske Motorsports Porsche 963 was competing with the No. 75 on it’s flanks. Being Roger’s nod to the company’s History…

 

Porsche’s Debutante 24 Huers du Mans Overall victory came in 1970, when the Porsche GH Salzburg entry of Richard Atwood and Hans Herrmann won aboard a Porsche 917KH “coupe”. In 1971, Der Helmut’, aka Dr. Helmut Marko and gijs van Lennep driving for Martini Racing won driving a 917K. Before the ACO effectively killed the 5.0-litre Sports Car class, which the likes of the 917 and Ferrari 512M competed with.

 

Yes, that’s the very same Dr. Helmut Marko, whose the “famous” Red bull Racing Formula 1 Consultant…

 

For 1976-77 Martini Racing scored back-to-back victories with the iconic Porsche 936 Spyder. Jacky Ickx teamed up with Gijs van Lennep aboard a 936/76 Spyder. With the Belgian repeating a year later in an updated 936/77 Spyder with Hurley Haywood and Jurgen Barth.

 

Then there’s the ’79 win with the Kremer Racing Porsche 935 K3 which I’ve scribbled ‘bout before here on No Fenders. As Klaus Ludwig shared the podium’s top step with those dubious Whittington Brothers don and Bill.

 

http://www.nofenders.net/2019/04/retro-notorious-porsche-and-ferrari.html

 

As the ’79 race pitted two rival 935’s against each other fighting for the win. With the Hawaiian Tropic sponsored Dick Barber Racing entry including somebody named P. L. Newman on it’s driving roster, finishing runner-up…

 

Beginning with the ’81 24 Heurs du Mans, Porsche went on a tear, arguably during it’s Glory Years! With the Stuttgart Automobile manufacturer winning  then an unprecedented seven straight Le Mans victories

 

1981 saw Porsche Systems dust off it’s 936 Spyder. With two of Lecircuit de la Sarthe legends, i.e.; thee original Mr. Le Mans, aka six times winner Jacky Ickx and soon to be Five-times winner Derek Bell winning behind the keyboard of an updated 936/81 Spyder.

 

Beginning in ’82, the latest Panzerwagen from Weissach rolled out. As the new Porsche 956 would win four straight races.

 

1982 saw Ickx and Bell win again for Rothmans Porsche. Followed by Haywood, Al Holbert and Vern Schuppan’s win.

 

Joest Racing took over the podium’s top step the following two years. First in 1984 with Ludwig and Henri Pescarolo. Then Paolo Barilla, Ludwig and “John Winter” the following year.

 

1986 saw the arrival of Porsche’s greatest Le Man’s racer, the iconic 962. Seeing Rothmans Porsche go back-to-back between 1986-87   with bell, Holbert and Hans-Joachim Stuck at it’s controls. Before Tom Walkinshaw and His Eponomous Silk Cut Jaguar’s ended Porsche’s streak in ’88.

 

Porsched didn’t return to the winner’s circle until 1994, when Mauro Baldi, Yanick Dalmas and Hurley Haywood won aboard a Dauer 962 Le Mans-Porsche derived “Street Car!”

 

1996 saw the car that the late Al Holbert had been championing Porsche to build upon the 962’s demise win. Albeit it was the TWR Porsch WSP-95 “Spyder” with Davy Jones, Manuel Reuter and Alexander Wurz winning.

 

Then Joest Racing won again in ’97 with the same Tom Walkinshaw Racing (TWR) racecar. Basically an old Jaguar XJR-14 Group C chassis with it’s roof cut off and intended to compete in IMSA’s new Exxon sponsored World Sports Car series. (WSC) Before being “outlawed” by rule changes.

 

As Reinhold Joest convinced Porsche to allow Him to race the chassis, and the rest was History. With Joest winning again for the second year in-a-row with ‘lil Stevie Johnson’, aka Stefan Johansson, Michele Alboreto and some Dude named tom Kristensen at it’s controls.

 

1998 saw Laurent Aiello, thee “Scottish Terrier”, aka Allan McNish and Stefane Ortelli win for Porsche AG behind the wheel of it’s Porsche 911 GT1-98

 

Meanwhile, Stuttgart had also taken over the WSC 95 project, renaming it the LMP1-98, which basically met with poor results and was cancelled for 2000.

 

Porsche returned to Sports Car racing with the debut of the Porsch RS Spyder at the 2005 American Le Mans Series (ALMS) Laguna Seca event. As Roger Penske would successfully campaign the RS Stateside in the ALMS, with overall victory in the ’08 12 Hours of Sebring being it’s High-water mark.

 

The RSSpyder also raced at Le Mans, winning the LMP2 class between 2008-09, beforerule changes for 2011 rendered it obsolete.

 

Porsche returned to Circuit de la Sarthe with it’s most impressive “Piece of Kit” as the Bloody Brits would say in 2014. When it’s “Spaceship” LMP1 919 Hybrid made it’s debut.

 

The Porsche Team then won the first of it’s three successive Le Mans W’s in 2015!

 

That year saw Earl Bamber, Nico Hulkenberg and Nick Tandy winning, netting Porsche a record extending 17th Overall victory.

 

2016,which has to be one of my favourite wins! Saw Romain dumas, Neel Jani and Marc Lieb victorious again. Snatching what was to be Toyota’s maiden Le Mans triumph disintegrate upon the race’s final lap! Followed a year later by Earl Bamber, Timo Bernard and Brendon Hartley taking the lead of the race back in the final hour…

 

Porsche then promptly withdrew once again from Sports Car  racing. And wouldn’t return to the FIA World Endurance championship (WEC) until the new Hypercar era dawned in 2023. With Porsche Penske Motorsports running two full season Porsche 963 Le Mans Daytona Hybrid (LMDH) prototypes in both IMSA’s new Hybrid GTP category and the “Weckity-WEC”. Plus the aforementioned third No. 75 “Wildcard” Le Mans entry, for Circuit de la Sarthe’s Centenary running… 

RETRO: Some of Porsche’s Three Quarter’s Century of Motorsports Accomplishments

Whilst another German legend is currently Asleep at the Wheel…

 

Naturally being a One Man Band, your Humble No Fenders scribe Tomaso simply cannot poond’ out fast enough everythingy’ that occurs in Der Wurld de Motorsprten, Ja-Ja!

 

And although we’ve turned the calendar to March, having just witnessed the conclusion of another 12 Hours of Sebring. Which perhaps I was able to listen to part of during my Heart surgery recovery. Which Y’all are probably getting tired of hearing about, Eh?

 

Thus obviously, I’m still playin’ Ketsup as always here upon Ye mystical Isle ‘O Nofendersville!

 

As I simply didn’t have the time, energy or space to pontificate about some significant events in 2023. Although having waxed-on about it being McLaren’s 60th Anniversary. I failed to note that Porsche’s legendous’ 911 turned 60, along with Lamborghini! Not to overlook that America’s “Sports Car” Corvette turned 70, Crikeys!

 

And whilst I did manage to scribble another short, HaHaHa! No Fenders Three part story about Honda celebrating it’s 75th Anniversary Justin-time last December. I’ve failed to give Porsche credit for also celebrating the same 75th Anniversary last year. For which ironically, both Honda and Porsche; two-thirds the “Axis of Evil” celebrated a year after Ferrari did so.

 

Yet like Ferrari (1939) and Honda, (1937) who both were founded prior to their noted Anniversary’s. Porsche also does likewise, with a most convoluted History.

 

As Dr. Ferdinand Porsche founded the company in 1931, along with Adolf Rosenberger and Anton Piech

 

The company’s first assignment was from the German Government to develop a “People’s Car”, better known as the iconic Volkswagen Beetle, Ja Volt! Before arguably the company’s first automobile, simply known as the Type 64 was manufactured in 1939. Albeit borrowing heavily from the Volkswagen Beetle, for which only three examples were built.

 

Ferdinand designed Tanks during World War II, although losing out upon the contracts to produce His Tiger I concept, before being Imprisoned for twenty months following the War’s end in 1945.

 

Thus during this time, Ferdinand’s son Ferry took over running of Porsche, along with having designed what Porscheaphiles’ denote as the company’s first production vehicle, the legendous’ 356.

 

As the first 356 was road certified in Austria on June 8, 1948. Promptly being entered in a race, where it won it’s class. And hence, Porsche’s 75th Anniversary comes full circle. Even though the 356 was produced by Ferry and sister Louise’s Austrian Porshce Konstruktion GesnbH concern between 1948-50.

 

As the Austrian company would later become known as Porsche Salzburg, which entered the 917 that won Porsche’s first overall 24 Heurs du Mans victory. Subsequently becoming the largest distributor of Porsche Automobiles and ultimately becoming today’s Porsche Holdings…

 

Whilst we All know that Porsche is synonymous with Sports Car racing, for which I’ll tackle in a separate No Fenders yarn shortly. But first, a very brief look at it’s largely overlooked Single Seaters Open Wheel Racing History instead…

 

Arse-sumedly when Y’all hear the words Porsche and formula 1, Yuhs think of those F1 World Championship McLaren TAG-Porsche entries, Righto?

 

Yet it was actually the Porsche 718 model that first competed in Euripean Formula 2 that initially involved Porsche in Single Seater racing. Although reportedly Dr. Ferdinand Porsche had designed Formula 1 machinery for Mercedes and Auto Union during the 1920’s & 1930’s.

 

And although the 718 saw limited success as a Single Seater. It’s RS60 variant greatest successes were winning the 1960 12Hours of Sebring and the Targa Florio.

 

Yet with the FIA mandating maximum engine capacity of 1,500cc for Formula 1 in 1961, the 718 F2 model was instantly eligible for the f1 World championship.

 

Yet Porsche’s 718 F2 model was outdated and outclassed. And thus Stuttgart designed the brand new 804 model for F1 in 1962, featuring a Flat-8 cylinder engine. Which Dan Gurney won His and Porsche’s maiden Formula 1 victory aboard during the ’62 French Grand Prix.

 

Before Porsche withdrew from Formula 1 at season’s end due to it’s high costs and lack of road car relevance. Not returning to thee Pinnicle ‘O Motorsports for another two-plus decades as an engine supplier…