1998

"The 911 is the only car with which you can take part in an African safari, race the 24 Hours at Le Mans, go to the theatre, or even drive through the streets of New York"

(Ferry Porsche)

The 911 made its first appearance at Le Mans in 1966 after it had premiered at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1963. It formed the basis for the development of legendary models such as the 935 “Moby Dick”, which won in 1979. The car under its name of the 911 RSR still plays for victory and is driven towards success in the Grand Touring category today!

The manufacturer entered two very different crews for the 1998 race. The experienced trio of no. 25 is made up of Müller, Alzen and the driver Bob Wollek, who celebrates the fact that that year was the twenty-eighth of his thirty appearances in the Le Mans 24 Hours. Laurent Aïello, Allan McNish, and Stéphane Ortelli, the young drivers of the no. 26, have appeared in the event between once and four times.

A Toyota was firmly in the lead when it came to a halt near Arnage due to a gearbox failure an hour and a half from the end of the race. The No. 26 Porsche claimed top spot, followed by the sister car. The Nissan which completes the podium was some distance away and the two Germans strove cautiously to reach the finish line. This double celebrates as it should be the fiftieth anniversary of the Stuttgart brand.

The winning crew is the youngest to win in the history of the 24 Hours with an average age of 28. The three young winners immortalised their victory by taking a picture of themselves on the podium at a time when the mobile phone was somewhat undemocratic and the practice of the selfie much less widespread than it is today. The camera is disposable but the shot is sent around the world!

American Don Panoz entered the first hybrid racing car in the history of the 24 Hours back in 1998. A 6-litre Ford engine is associated with an electric motor. The principle: the batteries of this one are recharged during braking and restore any energy during acceleration.

The Panoz Q9 manages a decent time in practice but this is still insufficient for the car to qualify. 

Hervé Poulain entrusted the decoration of his classic car in 1998 (a Porsche… 911 no less!) to his friend, the press cartoonist Georges Wolinski. 

The audacious lively disposition of the car may displease some, however, it is representative of the work of the artist who has never ceased to stage and question the relationship between man and woman. The lucubration of the fantasy allow a celebration of both humour and freedom.