Let's have the debate. Tell me which you think is better all-time and why:



or

 

The R8 is surely a great car and it has pioneered many technologies in endurance racing. It suffers in the history books for lack of competition and thus doesn't get the respect that the Porsche 956/962 has earned. My vote is for the 956/962.

 

I vote for the 956/962. Despite some impressive win totals, Audi has not faced as many serious factory efforts like Porsche did against Mercedes, McLaren, Jaguar, Mazada, etc.

 

The Mazada's were a team to be feared!

 

Mazada won Le Mans overall in 1991, with the best 962C finishing 7th. That is certainly a little better than the Pescarolo Judds or whatever other feable competition the R8 has faced.

 

I'm pretty sure it was Mazda in '91.

But enough of me mocking your typos. Mazda is a great example of the point that the R8 has not faced the competition that the 962 did. Case in point re: Mazda's 962 fighter:

 

For the absolute best, I'd vote none of the above. I'd choose the 935 over all comers as the best sports car of all time. It never stopped development and it wasn't until the 956 came along that it was well and truly eclipsed.

 

I agree with Geo about the 935.. but I am biased... though my 962 did set a record at the 1986 Sebring 12 hour for the fastest average MPH and distance covered..it still stands today 20 years later . Oh .. it crossed the finish line with only three wheels , that's got to count for something But really.. you guys are talking about some great cars here.. all of them.

 

<------- wipes drool off keyboard

 

I have seen the Audi R8s and R10s and been impressed every time I have seen them. In particular the quiet of the diesel R10 is amazing and it is still early in the life of this model.

But... in the past month I saw Monte Shelton's 962 being run at the Portland Rose Cup races. He was only taking it easy and finished second. This car attracted so much attention the whole weekend it was amazing. There is an aura about this famous model that cannot be described that is much stronger than that for the Audi.

So, it is hands down for the Porsche 962.

 

The R8 is built with endurance racing in mind. Its unbelievably focussed. The cooperation between Audi Sport and Reinhold Joest ensured that they built a car that was the ultimate in 'fit for purpose' when it comes to winning Le Mans. For example because of the speed differentials between the different classes and the risks of 'offs' and contact with others, the cars were built like tanks. They are designed to get home on two wheels (as long as one is driven). Reinhold specified the design of the gearbox, rear suspension which let them swap out rear ends in 3 minutes, until the rules were changed.
For wet weather testing, Reinhold puts one of the cars in his back yard, starts the engine and invites the local fire brigade up with their hoses to see if they can put it out.
The R8 is easy to drive really fast, it flatters, but make no mistake, Audis factory drivers are astonishingly brilliant and professional endurance racers.
Audi Sport Team Joest is a complete package, in my view it is a sign of the quality of that package that deterred other factories from running against them these last few years. Until recently Porsche did not have the resourses to mount such an overwhelming race effort and the flaws would show from time to time.
Having said that, perhaps I should give a special vote to the Dauer 962, the most remarkable street car as well as racer.

R+C

 

Dug911.. I wish Monte would put that 962 away! His mechanic is a bit over due on one my 935 motor rebuilds! Monte actually won the Rose Cup last year with that 962. I think that was is sixth time. That 962 was Hotchkis' car . that is one of my favorite 962's
The GTP class in HSR has a lot of expamples of the older cars.. the 962 is definitley a crowd favorite.

 

VZ:

LOL,..Dick IS working on it as I saw your pile of parts a few days ago,.... He's doing his normal (and excellent) job of juggling all of these high-priority projects,.............

 

VZ

So you have the Coca Cola cars? Man, I remember when Dennis Aase was driving.

Ahhh the memories. Some pics of these would be appreciated by many of us if you have any (silly question).

 

Road America 2003 - this was a fun race:



Last year for the July Vintage race, there were 4 962/956 Porsche's running

#1 - Black Blaupunkt
#85 - Bridgestone
#17 - Orange Jagermester
#6 - White FATurbo - Express

Mixing it up with them was the #83 Nissan GTP & Olds powered DANKA sponsored WSC.

Sitting in the paddock was Al Hobarts Lowenbrau 962 - I never did find out why they didn't run it.