SPORTSCAR WORLDCHAMPIONSHIPS 1953 - 1998
In the course of the years since 1953, the rules of the official designation of the Sportscar Worldchampionship have been changed several times. The championship has been called the Sportscar Worldchampionhip, the Manufacturers`World Championship, the Endurance Worldchampionship or even the Sports Prototype Worldchampionship. It was intended for manufacturers until 1980 and for teams since 1985. A separated competition for drivers was introduced in 1981. The last Sportscar Worldchampionship was staged in 1992. The F.I.A. GT Championship was a fixture in the international calendar from 1997. However, it was only held up to 1998. The GT1 class, in which the works teams patricipated, was then cancelled without replacement.
The most successful companies in the history of the Sportscar and GT World Championships are Ferrari and Porsche with 13 titles each. Mercedes-Benz won five times and Jaguar scored 3 titles. Alfa Romeo, Ford, Lancia and Matra all won 2 championships, while Peugeot and Aston Martin succeeded once.
Mauro Baldi/I, Derek Bell/GB, Stefan Bellof/D, Raul Boesel/BR, Martin Brundle/GB, Yannick Dalmas/F, Teo Fabi/I, Bob Garretson/USA, Jacky Ickx/B, Klaus Ludwig/D, Jean Louis Schlesser/F, Bernd Schneider/D, Hans Joachim Stuck/D, Derek Warwick and Riccardo Zonta became world driving champions in sports or GT cars.
Texts: J H / Messe Essen Press Office
Photos © Messe Essen Press Office
Graphics: project * 2000
© 2001 by researchracing
l Contents l Essen 2001 l