24h Le Mans
Introduced in 1982, the so-called Group C prototype class was dominated by Porsche for the first five years. Several rivals made valiant attempts to knock the Stuttgart giant off its pedestal, beginning with Lancia in 1983.
Following the podium sweep for the 956 on its maiden appearance in 1982, with Jacky Ickx and Derek Bell taking the top spot, Porsche decided to sell the car to privateers, while continuing to offer its works team a technological edge. In 1983, Lancia was the first to try and upset the apple cart.
The Italian carmaker had raced at Le Mans in the final years of the Group 6 regulations with the LC1 before moving up a gear with the LC2. Designed jointly by Abarth and Gian Paolo Dallara, the new car was equipped with an engine supplied by fellow Fiat-group company, Ferrari. The capacity of the naturally-aspirated V8 of the 308 GTBi was thus reduced from 3.0 to 2.6 litres, and a twin turbo was added.
Three examples were entered in the 1983 24 Hours of Le Mans, with one qualifying on the first row of the starting grid alongside polesitters Ickx and Bell. Unfortunately, none of the three completed the race and Porsche took the first eight places. The 1984 edition saw no Porsche works team take part. The Lancia LC2 confirmed its velocity, locking out the front row of the grid with Alessandro Nannini and Bob Wollek in pole position, followed by the trio of Paolo Barilla, Mauro Baldi and Hans Heyer. The privately-owned 956s gained the upper hand during the race, however, grabbing the first seven places. Nannini and Wollek followed in eighth position, giving the LC2 its first Le Mans chequered flag.
In 1985, Lancia was boosted by a major recruit in the shape of Henri Pescarolo, the previous year’s victor in the Porsche 956. “The Lancia LC2 was undisputedly a fast car, but perhaps too fragile for Le Mans,” the four-time winner recalls. Partnered by Mauro Baldi, Pescarolo finished seventh, just behind Wollek, Nannini and Lucio Cesario in the sister car.
Lancia subsequently brought the curtain down on the LC2 at Le Mans with the works team opting to focus once again on the World Rally Championship. However, another prestigious European marque appeared quietly on the scene in 1984, before taking over the mantle as Porsche’s chief rival: Jaguar. You can read about that particular battle in the second episode of this saga.
