Porsche’s endurance campaigns always reflect the marque’s desire to resolve technical difficulties. When the Group C prototype regulations were introduced in 1982, energy efficiency was already a factor with the fuel allowance for a 1,000-kilometre race set at 600 litres. The 956 and later the 962 C were designed to attain that objective. The latter won the 24 Hours of Le Mans a record six times in a row between 1982 and 1986. As well as being energy efficient, the 956 also had a dual clutch gearbox (known as PDK) which made gear changes particularly fast.

Today’s 919 Hybrid uses half as much fuel and recovers energy in two ways: converting braking energy from the front axle and exhaust gas energy at the back. There is now the additional challenge of balancing fuel consumption and hybrid power on each lap. Porsche rose to the challenge and won Le Mans this June, a full thirty years after the constructor’s last victory. The 919 Hybrid joins its successful elders, the 956 and 962 C, as well as the 917, 936, 935 and 911 in the record books.

The six hours of Shanghai on Sunday 1 November will be the last but one leg of the World Endurance Championship and Porsche has 264 points to Audi’s 211. They will be aiming for a thirteenth crown, having collected twelve manufacturers’ titles between 1964 and 1986.

Ticket sales for the 2016 24 Hours of Le Mans will open on Tuesday 3 November for ACO members and Friday 6 November for non-members.

Jean-Philippe Doret /ACO – Translated from French by Emma Paulay

Photo: LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES, LE MANS 24 HOURS, SUNDAY 14 JUNE 2015, FINISH. Earl Bamber, Nick Tandy and Nico Hülkenberg secured a 17th victory for Porsche in the Le Mans 24 Hours.