Group C world endurance racing sportscars were both mighty-performing and mighty-popular in the 1980s. And for much of that time the Porsche 962 was close to ubiquitous as well as ultra-successful. Now it’s viewed by history as a classic racing car—and this applies particularly to those which raced in the iconic Rothmans sponsor’s livery. And a race-winning Rothmans Porsche 962C will lead the way among the attractions at the London Classic Car Show taking place next February, as it’s the first of six cars to be confirmed for the event’s new ‘Car Stories’ exhibit.
The car that will be appear at the show is the very 1987 Richard Lloyd Racing Porsche 962C that won the Norisring ‘Money Race’ sprint round that was part of that year’s World Sportscar Championship. At that point it was in Liqui Moly livery and had 1990 World Sportscar Champion and 1994 Le Mans winner Mauro Baldi as well as Formula 1 driver Jonathan Palmer at the wheel. The car, by then in the famous Rothmans colors, was also taken to victory at the 1987 post-season Kyalami 500 exhibition race by 1989 Le Mans winner Jochen Mass.
With its win on the tight Norisring street track in Nuremberg, Germany, this car became the first privately-owned Group C car to win a race that season. It was helped by an ultra-aerodynamic body and a vast wing developed by British privateer Richard Lloyd. Following its victory in Germany, Palmer then in qualifying for the Spa-Francorchamps round in Belgium set a new lap record for a sportscar and became the first sportscar driver to break the 200km/h barrier.
Lloyd then entered the car to compete at the Kyalami 500 in South Africa, a late event in the life of the original, much-loved and ultra-fast circuit layout there. On November 28 1987, and with a factory-spec engine, Mass drove the car to victory in front of a crowd of 46,000 people.
The London Classic Car Show honors the world’s finest classic and vintage cars, and this year heads to a new venue at Olympia London in Kensington, and takes place on February 20-23 2020. Car Stories replaces the Grand Avenue and will celebrate the stories behind six of the world’s most iconic and interesting cars. These will be presented by industry personalities who know the cars best, such as designers, racing drivers and owners.
“We’re incredibly excited to start announcing some of the special celebrations that will take place at our 2020 event,” said London Classic Car Show event director Bas Bungish. “Car Stories gives us the opportunity to discuss some of the world’s most iconic and fascinating classic cars with people that have shared incredible moments in history with them. We’re honored to welcome the Porsche 962C and will be announcing five more superstar cars with fascinating stories to tell in the run up to the show.”
Tickets for the show are on sale now on the London Classic Car Show website, with ‘early bird’ discounts available until November 15.
Images courtesy of London Classic Car Show
