30.04.2026Where everything began - Joest Racing wrotes Le Mans-history for the first time

Porsche's list of victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans is unparalleled. No decade reflects the manufacturer's dominance at the Circuit de la Sarthe more impressively than the 1980s. Both the factory teams and the powerful privateers left a lasting mark during this period, with Porsche triumphing seven years in a row from 1981 to 1987.

In the midst of this era of supremacy, one team achieved a victory that would later become a legend itself: Joest Racing. Their 1984 success has now been immortalized by WERK83 in scale 1:18 and with their customary high quality.

A boycott by the factory team following rule changes opened the door for numerous private teams to compete for overall victory in the famous endurance classic – against rivals such as Lancia, the World Championship, and several entries from the USA, including a privately entered Jaguar XJS. As one of the most successful private racing teams with the Porsche 956, Reinhold Joest's team was among the favorites. The team from Abtsteinach near Mannheim even manufactured its own components, such as a new one-piece underbody.

Among the three cars entered was the Porsche 956B, introduced in 1984 – a further development of the successful Porsche 956, designed under the direction of Porsche legend Norbert Singer. The car was driven by a top-class crew: local hero Henri Pescarolo, who already boasted three Le Mans victories with Matra, and Klaus Ludwig, who won the race in 1979. Stefan Johansson, also listed as a driver, instead started in the sister car, number eight.

The long-tail version (956B LH), with its turbocharged six-cylinder boxer engine, featured a body specially optimized for Le Mans, which reduced drag on the long straights and thus enabled higher top speeds. The model debuted at Silverstone in 1982 and enjoyed worldwide success before being retired from racing at the end of 1986.

Dressed in the now iconic yellow and black "New Man" livery, Pescarolo and Ludwig initially overcame fuel pressure issues in the early stages of the 24-hour race and then steadily worked their way forward. By the halfway point, they were already among the top three, took the lead with around eight hours remaining, and ultimately secured victory by more than two laps.

This success marked the first of a total of 17 Le Mans victories for Joest Racing – initially with Porsche, later with Audi. Just one year later, another triumph followed, again with Klaus Ludwig at the wheel of a 956B. For Le Mans enthusiasts and motorsport historians, the corresponding model offers a rare opportunity to own a piece of racing history. With steerable front wheels, opening doors, and a high-quality collector's box, it's an ideal addition to any discerning model car collection.

Porsche 956 LH #7 New Man Winner 24 Hours of Le Mans 1984 Team Joest 1:18 WERK83, RRP €79.95, item-no.: W18043004C

продукты

Porsche 956 LH #7 New-Man победитель 24h LeMans 1984 Team Joest 1:18 WERK83

63,96 €