Photo : D.R. - ACO/Nikon

If in Formula 1, Germany attributed the nickname "Kaiser" to Michael Schumacher, but the name could just as well be given in the world of endurance racing to Reinhold Joest, who will once again be the strong arm of Audi and its new R18, in the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup including the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

From 1969 to 1981, Reinhold Joest raced nine times in the 24 Hours of Le Mans as a driver. With the best result a second place in 1980 with Jacky Ickx. At that time (except for its first participation in a Ford GT 40), his history is linked to Porsche 908, Carrera RSR, 908, 936 ... 917 and also the famous "Pink Pig" in 1971, that he shared with Willy Kauhsen.

He never won as a driver, but has largely caught up as a team owner. His "New Man" Porsche 956 trumped the factory cars two years running, in 1984 (driving with Henri Pescarolo and Klaus Ludwig) and 1985 (still with Ludwig, partnered that time by Paolo Barilla and John Winter). It took a decade for Reinhold Joest to win again in La Sarthe, with a chassis based on TWR Jaguar XJR 14, powered by a Porsche engine. This combination gave him success in both 1996 and 1997. Since 1999, he has accompanied the saga Audi at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Audi Sport Team Joest have four of the nine wins at La Sarthe for Audi in 2000, 2001, 2002, and even the first success of a diesel engine at Le Mans in 2006. 

Today, Reinhold Joest has been assigned the objective of bringing the new R18 prototype into the history books, with a tenth win at Le Mans for Audi. A success that would bring the German team manager of thirteen victories, closer the tally of his former partner Porsche.

Jean-Philippe Doret

Photo: 24 HOURS OF LE MANS, June 15, 1997. Fourth Le Mans victory for Reinhold Joest (left) on the podium with his drivers Tom Kristensen, Stefan Johansson and Michele Alboreto.