Racing Car · Group C · Prototype/Sports
Porsche 956
Group C — Ground Effect Prototype
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956
Displacement
2.6
LITRES
Peak Power
620
PS RACE TRIM
Weight
800 kg
MIN. HOMOLOGATION
Top Speed
367
KM/H MULSANNE
ENTRY 0022 · CLASS: GROUP C
Overview§ 01
The 956 was Porsche’s first ground-effect prototype and the car that defined Group C racing through the mid-1980s. Its aluminium monocoque chassis and twin-turbocharged flat-6 — derived from the Indy-influenced Type 935 lineage — combined with true underbody venturi tunnels for downforce unmatched by contemporary rivals.
In near-standard form the 956 won Le Mans three years running from 1982 to 1985, and privately entered examples continued to compete competitively for years after the factory moved on to the 962.
Technical Specification§ 02
| Chassis & Construction | |
| Chassis Type | Aluminium monocoque, ground-effect underbody |
| Dry Weight | 800 kg (min. homologation) |
| Engine — Type 935/76 | |
| Configuration | Air-cooled flat-6, twin-turbo |
| Displacement | 2649 cc (2.6L) |
| Peak Power | 620 PS @ 8200 rpm |
| Performance | |
| Top Speed | 367 km/h (Mulsanne, qualifying) |
Development History§ 03
1981
Development Begins
Porsche develops the 956 to FIA's new Group C regulations, its first ground-effect prototype.
June 1982
Le Mans 24H — 1-2-3 Finish
956s driven by Ickx/Bell, Mass/Schuppan, and Haywood/Barbour/Holbert sweep the podium.
1983-1985
Three More Le Mans Wins
The 956 and its evolutions win Le Mans in 1983, 1984, and 1985.
Race Record — Selected Results§ 04
POS
Event
Driver(s)
Chassis
Year
1
24H Le Mans
Ickx / Bell
956-002
1982
1
24H Le Mans
Holbert / Bell / Stuck
956B
1983
1
1000km Silverstone
Ickx / Bell
956-002
1982
Chassis / Unit Register§ 05
956-002
ROTHMANS PORSCHE · 1982
Le Mans winner 1982. Ickx / Bell.
Museum — Porsche Stuttgart
956-004
ROTHMANS PORSCHE · 1982
Second-place finisher, 1982 Le Mans.
Private Collection
Related Entries§ 06