In 2011, Porsche is celebrating the sixtieth anniversary of its first Le Mans, and the Museum of the 24 hours its half-century of existence. For this double celebration, on Monday 6th June, during the great week of 24 hours, the museum will host an encounter with one of the major players in the history of both Porsche and Le Mans: Jürgen Barth.

Winner in 1977 along with Jacky Ickx and Hurley Haywood Jürgen Barth has fifteen appearances at Le Mans to his credit, and his father Edgar eight, with the best result a fourth place in 1958. While waiting for 19:00 on the 6th June, here are some key dates in the fabulous history of Porsche at Le Mans.

1951: First appearance of Porsche in the 24 Hours of Le Mans with the 356 of Edmond Mouche and Auguste Veuillet, who finished 20th.
1970: First victory in the 24 hours, with the 917 of Richard Attwood and Hans Herrmann
1981-1982: At the wheel of a 936 then a 956, Jacky Ickx recorded his 5th and 6th Mans successes, and remained the record holder for victories in the 24 hours until 2005
1998: Last win overall, with the 911 GT1 Stéphane Ortelli, Laurent Aiello and Allan McNish
2008: The prototype RS Spyder won in LM P2

This year, Porsche will appear in LM GTE Pro and Am. From 23rd April to the 30th September, the museum also hosts a 24-hour exhibition on the Stuttgart manufacturer. Porsche is also the record holder of victories at Le Mans as well as a statistical anomaly: thirteen wins, or sixteen, if one adds the Dauer-Porsche in 1994 and the prototype TWR-Porsche in 1996 and 97. We will be interested to hear the comments of Jürgen Barth on that, if the question is asked on June 6th!

To learn more about the fiftieth anniversary of the Museum 24 Hours: Musée des 24 Heures