The Ford exception - In nine participations in the 24 Hours as a driver, Reinhold Joest took the start at the wheel of a Porsche eight times. What was the exception? In 1969, he debuted at Le Mans at the wheel of a Ford GT40 entered by the German automobile enthusiast magazine "Auto Zeitung." Along with Helmut Kelleners, he finished in sixth place.

Nine starts, five finishes - After reaching the checkered flag at his first 24 Hours of Le Mans, Reinhold Joest crossed the finish line four other times in the top 5: third in 1972 and 1978, fourth in 1975 and in 1980 he achieved his best result as a driver, claiming the second step on the podium along with Jacky Ickx.

Three winners, 10 victories - Across his nine participations, Reinhold Joest counted among his teammates three 24 Hours winners: Jürgen Barth (in 1975 and 1976), Hurley Haywood (in 1978) and Jacky Ickx (in 1980). These three drivers boast a total of 10 wins at Le Mans, and even won the race together in 1977 with a Porsche 936.

Reinhold Joest, a maker of champions - Having become a full-time team owner as of 1982, in the mid-1990s Reinhold Joest also fostered two great endurance racing talents, winners at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in their first participations: Austrian driver Alex Wurz and Danish driver Tom Kristensen. In 1996, Wurz became the youngest driver to win the 24 Hours, and after winning for the first time in 1997, today Kristensen holds the record for most victories at Le Mans with nine wins.

Reinhold Joest's journey as a driver at the 24 Hours mirrors Porsche's history at Le Mans during the 1970s...learn more in the next installment of this series!

Photo: At a rather rainy 1980 edition, Reinhold Joest (here at the wheel, white helmet) achieved his best result with second place at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Along with Jacky Ickx, he finished just behind Le Mans native and driver-constructor Jean Rondeau and his teammate Jean-Pierre Jaussaud.