Home Coming: The Porsche 963

Porsche is fielding a new prototype at Le Mans. There are few statements on this earth that carry such timeless validity. Newton’s laws of motion, perhaps. Though nobody can say for certain whether they really are valid everywhere in the universe. With Porsche, things are different. Because the sports prototype is the most original Porsche of all.

It’s no different with the Porsche 963. Developed for the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and the North American IMSA series, Porsche is again competing in top-tier racing on both sides of the Atlantic. It is tempting to say: Finally! In the case of the WEC, the comeback follows a six-year hiatus. The 963 was designed for the hypercar class that is recognized in both series, which in turn can be divided into LMH (Le Mans Hypercar) and LMDh (Le Mans Daytona hybrid). Designed as an LMDh vehicle, the 963 uses an LMP2-based chassis manufactured by a supplier, is fitted with standardized Michelin tires and features spec hybrid components. The design, the combustion engine in the rear and the vehicle philosophy, on the other hand, are entirely up to the competitors.

In spirit and in name, Porsche has let itself be inspired by the legendary 956 and 962 racing cars, which won at Le Mans six times in a row during Group C times. Chronologically speaking, the 963 follows the 919 Hybrid, which took home victories number 17, 18 and 19 in the endurance race. But there’s even more history inside this car. This is the third time that Porsche and Penske have teamed up together – and it’s the third time that a V8 engine with the designation 9RD has powered a Porsche. The last time these ingredients came together was in 2006, when the RS Spyder developed by Porsche and entered by Penske won everything there was to win in America.

→ Read these and other stories exclusively in ramp #61 & the Porsche Le Mans Special.