1986 Porsche 961 Pilots: C. Haldi, K. Nierop, R. Metge Team: Porsche AG / Rothmans Race: DNF (IMSA class) at Le Mans in 1987 Spark - S0961 (resin)
Published 11/04/19
The 961 wasn’t a big priority for Porsche, almost just an experiment. With that, only one car came out of Stuttgart, chassis #WP0ZZZ93ZFS010016. It was ready for the Le Mans test session in early May, 1986. It was a pretty quick car, doing better than the Group B BMW M1 and even quicker than some C1 and C2 cars. Though starting in 26th place, it finished in seventh place overall. The following year Porsche’s four wheel-drive car was back, as 961 #203.
And this time with Rothmans war paint and again with René Metge at the wheel. Now homologated for the IMSA class, the 961 #203 started in 31st place. Lady Luck, however, did not smile to the 961 that year. On lap 199, with Nierop on the wheel, the car spun and hit the wall. The pilot was unhurt, but the car caught fire (2m2s video) and was abandoned on the side of the track.
And that was the end of the racing career of the 961. The fire totally destroyed the car, but fortunately Porsche recovered the wreck and years later restored it. So now you can see the 961 #203 in the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart. And fortunately for us collectors, Spark makes a beautiful version of the car in 1:43. But as always, the model comes without the Rothmans decals. Within five minutes however the livery was complete and the model shining.
I already had the #180 of 1986 version of the car, and the #203 is much harder to find. I recently got a chance to grab one, though for a lot more than what I paid on the #180. But what the hey, since I love the 959 so much, I couldn’t say no to the opportunity. And I’m glad I did, because it’s a duesy.
