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Adam Smalley, Porsche 962C
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Porsche’s hopeful Le Mans future meets its illustrious past

Rising sportscar star Adam Smalley had to pinch himself when offered the chance to drive the car that won the world’s most famous enduro in 1987

“You feel every bump. Every single one, even at low speed. I couldn’t imagine going down the Mulsanne Straight at more than 200mph in this car. It must have been bouncing around everywhere. Respect to the guys who raced these cars.”

The car in question is a Porsche 962C, #006, the chassis with which the greatest sportscar design of all claimed a sixth victory at the Le Mans 24 Hours in 1987. The dues being paid go to Derek Bell, Hans Stuck and Al Holbert Jr, the winning line-up in the Rothmans-sponsored factory car 35 years ago, but also perhaps to the hundreds of drivers who raced the 956 and 962 at Le Mans over a period of 17 years.

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