Photo : D.R. - Archives ACO

 

We owe Porsche's partnership with Martini to Hans-Dieter Dechent. It coincided with the approval of non-sports sponsorship (financial sponsors whose primary activity was not linked to motorsports) in 1968. The friendship between Dechent and Paul Goppert - head of marketing and public relations for the German subsidiary of the Italian liquor maker - lead to the first appearance of Martini stickers on a competition Porsche in 1968.

In 1970, the Martini International Racing Team was born, of which Hans-Dieter Dechent became the boss, fully retiring from his activities as a driver. He made his first mark the same year at Le Mans by initiating what can be considered as the first "Art Car" in the history of the 24 Hours. Painted mauve and white in the practice, the No. 2 Porsche 917 LH (long version) of Gérard Larrousse and Willi Kauhsen was further decorated with a touch of green the day before the race and finished in second place. This 917 called "psychedelic" is one of the most admired by Porsche fans and model makers the world over. In 1971, Martini Racing became, with John Wyer's Gulf outfit, Porsche's other official team at Le Mans. It was exaltation: the 917 K (short version) of Gijs van Lennep and Helmut Marko won the 24 Hours, establishing a distance record that would not be beaten until 2010. But the freeze on engine size to three liters brought on Porsche's withdrawal and the end of the team. Martini reoriented its sponsoring efforts to Formula 1 with Brabham, but nonetheless achieved two additional wins in La Sarthe with the Porsche 936 in 1976 and 1977.

Hans-Dieter Dechent combined his keen communication skills with his equally brilliant skills as a team boss. For this, he will forever hold a special place in the history of the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Porsche. To his family and loved ones, the Automobile Club de l’Ouest expresses its deepest sympathies.

Jean-Philippe Doret / ACO - Translation by Nikki Ehrhardt / ACO

PHOTO: LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES, 24 HOURS OF LE MANS, SATURDAY & SUNDAY JUNE 12 & 13 1971. Hans-Dieter Dechent's Porsche 917 K Martini en route to victory and the distance record, with at the wheel Helmut Marko and Gijs van Lennep.