>>Porsche WSC-95

Porsche WSC-95

The original WSC-95 at Donington Park.

The Porsche WSC-95 (sometimes referred to as the TWR WSC-95) was a Le Mans Prototype built for Porsche by Tom Walkinshaw Racing and run by Joest Racing, yet can trace its origin to a Jaguar sports car designed in 1991. Originally intended to race in the IMSA World Sportscar Championship, the WSC-95 actually saw very little race action even though it managed to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans in both 1996 and 1997 without actually being acknowledged as a factory supported project. It would later be upgraded to the Porsche LMP1-98 before being retired. Only two cars would ever be built.

Development

In 1995, Porsche approved the beginning of a project to develop a prototype for the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) series, running under the World Sports Car (WSC) regulations. The car would not be a factory-backed effort, yet would be approved by Porsche and use some of their expertise and most of all their powerplant. Porsche turned to Tom Walkinshaw Racing (TWR) to develop a car, yet would not put forward the money in order for a new car to be built from scratch.

TWR would therefore turn to a chassis which was remaining in their shop, a spare Jaguar XJR-14 which had never completed its sale in 1992. This car was deemed suitable enough to be used in the new prototype, although it would require extensive modifications. First and foremost, the roof of the cockpit was removed in order to comply with WSC regulations. A large rollhoop was retained in order to keep structural rigidity, with a large air scoop to feed the engine being placed underneath this in order to replace the large air scoop that had originally been on the roof. Since the motor was to be a turbocharged Porsche unit, instead of the Cosworth HB V8, two scoops had to be added to the sides of the car in order to feed air to the turbochargers. Finally, the rear of the car was modified, replacing the large two tier wing with a more normal setup that fit with the current regulations.

For an engine, Porsche would use one of their longest running motors, the Type-935 turbocharged Flat-6. Originally used in the Porsche 956 in the 1980s, the engine was still powerful enough to power modern prototypes. While Porsche's new 911 GT1s would use a 3.2 Litre engine, the WSC-95 would use a smaller 3.0 Litre engine. Although smaller, this gave the WSC-95 a better fuel economy than the 911 GT1, which would be useful over long race distances.

Unfortunately, the IMSA WSC regulations were changed prior to the 1995 season, leading to Porsche canceling the project. However, in February 1996 Reinhold Joest of the Joest Racing team convinced Porsche to give the unused prototype to his team, and for them to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. With approval from Porsche, Joest put forth the money to allow for the construction of a second car from scratch, as well as the slight modifications to the existing car in order to meet the Le Mans Prototype (LMP1) regulations. Porsche would agree to help in the development of the car only if Joest agreed to pay for the services.

Following the success of the WSC-95s in winning both the 1996 and 1997 24 Hours of Le Mans, Porsche decided to take over the project themselves. Both WSC-95 chassis underwent major revisions to their bodywork. The nose was raised in the middle, while to the sides sculpting allowed for the moving of the air intakes for the engine, necessitating the removal of the large scoop underneath the rollbar. The sides of the car were also redesigned, with the large opening for the radiator vents covered up while exhaust vents were also rearranged. The Type-935 Flat-6 was also upgraded, expanded out to 3.2 Litres. While now considered an official Porsche project, the cars became officially known as the Porsche LMP1-98s.

Racing history

The two WSC-95s were completed just in time for Joest Racing to go to the Le Mans test session in May. There, the two cars showed their pace early by setting the fifth and tenth fastest times, easily beating the factory Porsche 911 GT1s. A few weeks later at Le Mans, the WSC-95s showed their improvements and the #8 entry actually found itself in pole position, while #7 was seventh. However the 911 GT1s had also improved, taking the fourth and fifth fastest qualifying positions. During the race, the #7 WSC-95 lead for nearly the entire race, although closely followed by the factory 911 GT1s. The #8 entry remained towards the front as well, although it would succumb to mechanical failures caused by a collision on the track during the closing hours. In the end, the #7 entry of Davy Jones, Alexander Wurz, and Manuel Reuter would take the overall victory, a mere lap ahead of the following Porsche 911 GT1.

WSC-95 chassis #002 on display in its 1998 Porsche LMP1-98 guise.

Although Joest had originally intended to run the car just at Le Mans in 1996, it was decided that the team would attempt once again in 1997 with a single car. A few weeks prior to Le Mans, Joest decided to showcase their car at the inaugural International Sports Racing Seriesevent at Donington Park, where the car took a dominant victory. Upon returning to Le Mans they still showed their pace by once again taking pole position. Although still facing competition from the factory Porsche 911 GT1s as well as the new McLaren F1 GTRs, Nissan had now entered and were keen to take an overall victory. However, unlike the previous year, the 911 GT1s suffered various difficulties, both in the hands of the factory team but also for the privateers. The finish therefore came down to a close race between a McLaren F1 GTR and the WSC-95, with Joest Racing once again coming out the victor by a single lap. Michele Alboreto, Stefan Johansson, and Tom Kristensen would take the victory this time.

Now realizing the potential of the abandoned WSC-95 against their 911 GT1, Porsche developed both chassis into the newer and even more capable LMP1-98. Unfortunately at the same time, not only were Porsche attempting to improve both the 911 GT1 and LMP1-98, but as were Nissan and the newcomers Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, and BMW. Still run by the Joest Racing squad, the LMP1-98s showed that their quick pace was now lacking against new competitors, managing to take a best of only ninth in qualifying. During the race itself, although the LMP1-98s showed pace, they unfortunately would not be able to survive the entire race. One car suffered electronics difficulties after only 107 laps, while the second car would break some bodywork mountings in a spin and would not be able to continue after it had completed 218 laps.

For a final appearance, an LMP1-98 would appear at the debut Petit Le Mans in the United States. Alongside a lone 911 GT1, both cars showed great pace but unfortunately the LMP1-98 would have to settle for second place, defeated by a customer Ferrari 333 SP by only a few seconds following ten hours of racing.

The LMP1-98s would be retired after 1998, with Porsche planning to develop their own Le Mans Prototype for 2000. That project would later be cancelled, and Porsche would not return to factory prototype racing until the 2005 debut of the Porsche RS Spyder.