​Porsche 956 Works (Chassis #001)

​Porsche 956-001 Works (1982)

Built as the first Rothmans Team Car, it ran for the first time at Weissach on March 27th 1982, with Jurgen Barth at the wheel. It was then tested extensively by Barth, Jacky Ickx, Roland Kussmaul and Derek Bell. According to “Excellence Was Expected” it covered 4244 miles in testing before heading to the Silverstone Six Hours, held on May 16th. With the Bell and Ickx dream team driving, it should have won with ease. And it would have done but for requiring to complete 6 hrs of racing, equalling 1,132 kms, with a fuel allocation for just 1,000 kms.

The Lancia LC1 driven by Riccardo Patrese and Michele Alboreto was first over the line because it was a Group 6 car from the previous season and didn’t have to conform to Group C fuel regulations. So while the Lancia could sprint off into the distance using all the fuel it liked, 001 was condemned to an economy run to second place, running lap times 10 seconds off it’s initial race pace and three laps down at the finish, all be it securing the class win for Group C at it’s debut.