SO THIS IS THE OTHER ROTHMANS PORSCHE…
As era-defining motorsport partnerships go, few are as evocative as that of Rothmans and Porsche. So inextricably linked are they that the mere mention of their names conjures images of Le Mans-winning Group C projectiles piloted by dashing heroes: Ickx, Bell, Mass, Bellof.
But there’s a parallel chapter to the Rothmans Porsche story. One played out on the rally stages of Europe and the Middle East, and starring a young, mop-haired Finn whose career would ultimately come to define dazzling talent and darkest tragedy. This, then, is the tale of the ‘other’ Rothmans Porsche.
Much like today’s energy drink brands, back in the ’70s and ’80s cash-rich tobacco companies had colossal sponsorship budgets. With little in the way of advertising standards with which to comply, Rothmans had so much budget sloshing around that it asked Porsche if there was anything else the company fancied having a crack at beyond the World Sports Car Championship. The answer was a rally programme.
Initiated by Porsche, paid for by Rothmans and delivered by David Richards’ fledgling Prodrive concern, the result was a fascinating project that led to strong results and one of the most revered competition 911s of
