RE: Chris Harris video: Porsche 962

RE: Chris Harris video: Porsche 962

Thursday 27th September 2012

Chris Harris video: Porsche 962

The trademark intense Harris stare gets that bit more intense, courtesy of one of Porsche's most legendary racers



The Porsche 962 was the most prolific sports car racer of the 1980s. It dominated Group C and IMSA, and cemented Porsche's reputation as the maker of the most robust prototype racers in the world.

Pressure? What pressure?
Pressure? What pressure?
This is the car that won Le Mans in 1987. I wrote about driving it up the hill at Goodwood earlier this year.

A taste of its performance was always going to be frustrating, so I asked the question you shouldn't really ask: "Can we drive it properly please?"

The reply came a month ago. Yes, we could drive the car at Weissach, Porsche's own test track. This was both good and bad. Perfect for story synergy because this is where the 962 was developed. Bad for personal and professional safety because there is literally no run-off around most of the lap.

Adding to an already perfect itinerary, the Porsche Museum which prepares these old cars, said it had invited Norbert Singer along. If you're a student of Le Mans, that's like being told you're going to watch the local cricket team and discovering I.V.A Richards will be opening for the opposition.

And if that wasn't enough here's the bloke behind it
And if that wasn't enough here's the bloke behind it
His CV spans 30 years of Porsche Motorsport success, beginning with the 917 in 1970. Should the 2014 return of Porsche to top-level prototype racing bring victory, it will be the first without Herr Singer involved.

I won't say much more. Days like these don't come very often, and we've all experienced the disappointment of meeting heroes who don't fulfill the expectation. The 962/Singer combination exceeded everything I could have hoped for.

Enjoy the vid.


 

Author
Discussion

Steff

Original Poster:

1,420 posts

262 months

Wednesday 26th September 2012
quotequote all
Pure Porsche porn...

Erich Stahler

2,878 posts

269 months

Wednesday 26th September 2012
quotequote all
Excellent and her Singer is a great bloke, not often are people behind such great cars that open.

dan1502

686 posts

214 months

Wednesday 26th September 2012
quotequote all
Reminds me of being driven around Brands Hatch in this...


graemel

7,017 posts

216 months

Wednesday 26th September 2012
quotequote all
Another excellent video Chris. No drifting in this one eh wink A mate still owes me a run in his 962. I'd like to think that one day it might still happen. Just to be able to say. Yep I've driven a 962 around a race circuit, life would feel that bit more complete. In relative terms I would be interested to see if you agree that they are not that difficult to drive. They are after all a purpose built race car. Having been brought up on a diet of race 911's, even a race GT3RSR is still a converted road car by comparison.

men3cac

39 posts

188 months

Wednesday 26th September 2012
quotequote all
You lucky git

SmartVenom

462 posts

168 months

Wednesday 26th September 2012
quotequote all
Wow, just wow.

Chris you have the best job in the world.

StuB

6,695 posts

238 months

Wednesday 26th September 2012
quotequote all
Excellent clip, thanks.

Rawwr

22,722 posts

233 months

Wednesday 26th September 2012
quotequote all
If I was any more jealous I think I'd prolapse.

Motorrad

6,811 posts

186 months

Wednesday 26th September 2012
quotequote all
you lucky, lucky bd.

and Norbert Singer- what a man.

Edited by Motorrad on Wednesday 26th September 20:41

Gatsods

388 posts

167 months

Wednesday 26th September 2012
quotequote all
Such a pretty car when you compare it to modern LMPs now as well. Great vid.

kentmotorcompany

2,471 posts

209 months

Wednesday 26th September 2012
quotequote all
I also noticed a distinct lack of drifting.

Lovely video though.

Cheib

23,111 posts

174 months

Wednesday 26th September 2012
quotequote all
Superb car, superb vid and I love it when someone who is just obviously so brilliant is able to explain things so simply.....he talks a bit like I.V.A Richards batted yes

You must be getting quite a reputation for Porsche to let you have a play in that!

kiteless

11,682 posts

203 months

Wednesday 26th September 2012
quotequote all
Great video, thoroughly enjoyed that thumbup

Looking at the 962, it's such an iconic shape that reeks of speed. I suspect if you asked someone who has never seen a Group C racer to draw one, they'd draw the outline of a 956 / 962; much in the same way if you asked a non-guitar player to draw an electric guitar, they'd draw an outline of a Stratocaster.

God, that flat-6 sounds butch as well.


LaurasOtherHalf

21,429 posts

195 months

Wednesday 26th September 2012
quotequote all
I promise I wont mention the panamera thread (err, oops).

But thanks for that, my favourite sports car of all time thumbup

Lucky, lucky boy!

YorkshirePudding

2,118 posts

184 months

Wednesday 26th September 2012
quotequote all
Harris, you're a lucky bd.


Himself

483 posts

146 months

Wednesday 26th September 2012
quotequote all
Fascinating stuff about the aero. Lovely livery too, is it just me that misses cigarette advertising in racing cars (can't stand smoking though)?

KP

190 posts

200 months

Wednesday 26th September 2012
quotequote all
Absolutely fantastic....

Mavican

135 posts

163 months

Wednesday 26th September 2012
quotequote all
Cheque is in the post from BAT Chris. ;-)

These Group C/Imsa car are still really evocative, and the noise is addictive.

motor mad

473 posts

188 months

Wednesday 26th September 2012
quotequote all

Utterly brilliant

Dustyw536

43 posts

178 months

Wednesday 26th September 2012
quotequote all
I dont normally comment on these things but that was absolutely fantastic!
What a hero