THE MAGIC NUMBERS OF GROUP C: 956
As Formula 1 was booming in interest with the traditional Cosworth DFVengined cars now trying to combat the increasing threat of turbocharging, FISA, the sport’s governing body, started to turn its attentions to the ailing sportscar racing scene.
Old warhorses built to Group 5 or 6 regulations were still winning and Porsche’s 936 won Le Mans in 1981 having dominated the category since 1976. Something was needed to breathe fresh life into the category.
FISAcame up with Group C as its sportscar rule set, which embraced the fuel crisis by placing emphasis on economy as much, if not more, than speed. The regulations seemed to favour the manufacturers with their bigger budgets, although the junior C2 category would cater for the independents, with the first two big-budget entries being those of Ford, aiming to revive the GT40’s success with its C100, and Porsche.
Group C began in 1982 and it was a Rondeau that won the first race at Monza; Porsche’s
