24h Le Mans
After its first two wins in 1970 and 1971, Porsche's presence in prototypes was represented by private 908 prototypes, until the victorious arrival of the 936 in 1976.
Having made its first appearance at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1968, the 908 missed the win by only a few meters the following year against the Ford GT40 of Jacky Ickx-Jackie Oliver, before becoming the choice Porsche for private teams up until the mid-1970s.
Banned as of 1972 from the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the World Marques Championship by the CSI (Commission Sportive Internationale, predecessor to the current Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile), the Porsche 917 found refuge in the U.S. in the Challenge CanAm. From 1972 to 1975, only private teams represented the German manufacturer in prototypes, with the 908. While Matra reigned with three consecutive wins (1972-73-74), its proverbial strength allowed the 908 to make it into the top 5 at the 24 Hours regularly: third in 1972, fifth in 1973, fourth in 1975. Note that during this period, one of the great 908 experts was none other than Reinhold Joest: he was at the wheel in 1972 and 1975, before becoming the winningest outfit owner in the history of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, as a preferred Porsche partner.
In 1976, for its last appreance at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the 908 (entered by...Reinhold Joest!) finished seventh, whereas the 936 won at its first participation in the hands of Jacky Ickx and Gijs van Lennep. And a new era was born...
Jean-Philippe Doret / ACO - Translation by Nikki Ehrhardt / ACO
Photo (Copyright - ARCHIVES ACO): LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES, 24 HOURS OF LE MANS, SATURDAY & SUNDAY JUNE 14-15 1975, RACE. Along with Jürgen Barth and Mario Casoni, Reinhold Joest reached the last top 5 finish for the Porsche 908 with fourth place.
