Hmmm...

In terms of its impact on racing, the 962.. no question in my mind. It was an earth-shattering advance in so many ways. Everyone knew how to make big power. The 962 took it and put it to the ground with more than just massive rubber, and it did it for DECADES competitively. Even in its last season, it set the trap speed record and took the pole at Watkins Glen!

Geez... I look at what Hacker just posted as I type, and there is the car itself, the #7 F.A.T. Turbo Express car, piloted by John Winter if memory serves. What was it... 1993? What other car has been competitive that long?

We will never know how good the Toyota GTP or the R8 were/are. These cars were dominant in a time of little-to-no competition. A Porsche of equal caliber would have been an interesting counter to prove the point. Sadly, we know what Porsche has been up to. Trucks.

We can only continue to hope...

 

This car? I have tons of shots from this event - still working on my web site to show them all:

 

962

I like the R8 a lot more than the R10 though.

 

Steve.. tell him to get on it ! I was suposed to have the engine back a few months ago. Though I am 30 min from Jerry Woods to me Dick builds the best 935 engine and is a hell of a nice guy .The motor he has is not for the Akin car though and is for the 935 M16
I do have both of Akin's last two Coca~Cola sponsored cars. 935-84 came close to winning a few races amoung true GTP car from 1983-1985 with mostly top ten finishes. Definitley one of the best 935's . And the 962-113.

 

Now that's what I call a free flow intake.

 

Glad to see that both the Akins cars stayed together. They were previously owned by S. Southard of Auto Assests, right?

 

From its first race in 1982 to its final triumph at R/A in 1993. Here is the #7 car hauling a$$ up the back straight at the Glen in the 1993 GTP Swan Song. Again, if memory serves, John Winter put it on pole and also set the trap speed record for the Pre-Inner Loop Glen. I want to say 211mph... but it might have been 201. I remember the audible buzz from the crowd when the 962s top speed was announced over the PA system. Unfortunately, Winter fried the tires getting the pole, so he went backwards in a hurry during the race.

Still, an 11 year old car taking pole? Amazing.

 

Wow, some really great pics here, thanks everyone.

As to the original question, definitely the 956/962 gets my nod. I agree that the R8 has faced little real competition. It will be interesting to see just how far ahead of the RS Spyder the new R10 is for the rest of the ALMS this summer. Porsche is trying very hard to stay out of Audi's back yard, but wouldn't it be great to have a real battle in prototype racing again?

 

You are correct.. Steve has been so busy with his PAP-Parts DP race team that he never ran these cars anymore. A lot of people wanted one or the other but he wanted them to stay together .I have them both now plus the other FabCar 935-84 chassis that I will be putting back together. They will both be on display at Exotic car at Caesar's Palace where the Forum shops are at Caesar's Las Vegas starting next week.