Although Porsche were developing 959's for the Paris-Dakar Rally, the Stuttgart manufacturer harboured a desire for their flagship model to race at Le Mans - an event upon which so much of the firms status was based. For 1986, a crack factory built car known as the 961 was prepared on chassis 10016. It was debuted at the annual Le Mans practice day where Rene Metge easily pre-qualified. An all-French driver line-up would be back for the race in June, the 961 running in its own invitational class (IMSA GTX). It was powered by a twin turbocharged engine to more or less Group C spec, displacement having been 2847cc.
Output was 680bhp at 7800rpm, enough for the 961 to reach a top speed of 205mph down the famous Mulsanne Straight. But although weight was down to just 1150kg, the 961's relatively chunky aerodynamics and bulky four-wheel drive system dictated it would never be able to live with full-house sports prototypes. Despite a high-speed tyre blowout, Rene Metge and Claude Ballot-Lena finished the 1986 Le Mans 24 Hours in a fine seventh overall. It was a particularly dominant year for the German company, nine of the top ten finishers having been Porsche's, a feat as yet unmatched. Later on in the year, Porsche entered the 961 in the Daytona 3 Hours. It was the IMSA finale and a useful proving ground to check the 961's suitability for the annual 24 Hour race held there each February. However, with Daytona's steep banking loading the tyres beyond their rating, the car suffered two spectacular tyre failures. 10016 was run at a conservative pace thereafter to finish 24th overall. It would not be returning to Florida. 1987 did see the 961 back at Le Mans though, this time in full Rothmans livery as opposed to the sponsorless white bodywork used during 1986. Long-standing Porsche favourite Rene Metge was joined by Claude Haldi and Kees Nierop, the latter unfortunately spinning out whilst 11th after gear selection problems. The career of the solitary 961 was over, Porsche discontinuing the sporadic competition programme but not before it was able to show some very real promise.
From QV500.com
Porsche 961
Sorry if I cannot express myself correctly, but I don't know English as good as I want, so my answers will probably be the same in many cases.
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