Porsche 935

By H.A. Branham

When looking back at what can unofficially be called IMSA’s first era – from its 1969 founding to the 1993 end of the Camel GT Series – it’s easy to romanticize first and foremost about the glory days of GTP and the cars that populated the class. Which creates the possibility of overlooking the first four-wheel superstar of IMSA – the Porsche 935.

That can’t happen. We’re talking about the car that has been called the “all-conquering Porsche 935.” A label well-earned, most certainly.

The car was an absolute staple in IMSA from the late 1970s to the early ‘80s before the exotic GTP category was unveiled, partially as a competitive antidote to 935 dominance. The car was a longtime staple worldwide in sports car racing, produced from 1976-81, and raced through 1985.

As with other fabled IMSA rides, the 935s especially excelled in the most prestigious events. Drivers in those cockpits won the Rolex 24 At Daytona and the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring six times each. If that doesn’t convince you of the 935’s legendary status, what would?

Peter Gregg and Hurley Haywood, both part of the 2023 inaugural class of IMSA Hall of Fame inductees, were the drivers most people remember for the 935’s success. Through the years, there were other heavy hitters swinging away successfully, such as Danny Ongais, Bobby Rahal, Brian Redman and Bob Wollek. A.J. Foyt, too, in a victorious co-drive in the 1983 Rolex 24.

Haywood snagged the first 935 victory in IMSA, in the 1977 season finale at Daytona International Speedway. Technically, he drove a Porsche 934/5, a hybrid of the two models. The first 935 “proper” victory came in the 1978 season-opening Rolex 24 with Rolf Stommelen, Toine Hezemans and Gregg co-driving.

After that … floodgates. The 935, already a force outside North America and in other sanctioning organizations, had arrived in IMSA in the biggest of ways. With present and future implications.

“Essentially it was a move ahead to the turbo era or a more technologically advanced era that ultimately led to the GTP class,” said Mark Raffauf, IMSA’s senior director of competition.

“So, it was the starting point for IMSA sort of getting on the world stage; the 935 put IMSA on the world stage because it was a common car around the world. And yet, the unique thing about it, is when you saw a grid and there were 14 different 935s, probably no two were the same because every one of them got ‘hot rodded’ [by IMSA teams].”

The last major victory for the 935 was at the Mobil 1 Twelve 12 Hours of Sebring in 1984, competing in the new GTP class but still pulling what was an upset – on paper. Through 1984, 935s had won more than 150 races around the world.

“The 935 was really simple, really powerful and difficult to drive because of the power [with twin turbos],” Raffauf said. “It was a handful, but it was always a beast. The 935s made the right kind of noise and they spit fire out the back – it was just cool to watch.”