John Fitzpatrick Group C Porsches - The Definitive History

John Fitzpatrick Group C Porsches - The Definitive HistoryThis book will be delivered from the UK. Local duties and taxes may be applicable on import to regions outside the UK. By purchasing this title, you agree and consent to your information being shared with Porter Press International for use in the fulfilment of your order. Porter Press fine books curated by Amalgam the full collection > John Fitzpatrick Racing was a highly successful privateer Porsche team in the glorious early years of Group C

This book will be delivered from the UK. Local duties and taxes may be applicable on import to regions outside the UK. By purchasing this title, you agree and consent to your information being shared with Porter Press International for use in the fulfilment of your order.

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John Fitzpatrick Racing was a highly successful privateer Porsche team in the glorious early years of Group C sportscar racing, first with 956s, then 962s.

From 1983 to 1986, Fitzpatrick’s operation made 66 Group C entries in 44 races in the World Endurance Championship, the German Deutsche Rennsport-Meisterschaft and the American Can-Am, winning three times and taking another 11 podium positions. This book tells the story of this exciting team, its five Group C Porsches and what became of them, its crews, its drivers, its races and – above all – its charismatic owner, John Fitzpatrick, arguably the best British driver never to have raced in Formula 1.

Key content

John Fitzpatrick's story: during an extraordinary 22 years behind the wheel, he was the youngest-ever winner of the British Saloon Car Championship and became one of Porsche's most garlanded champions.

The birth of Group C: this new category rejuvenated sportscar racing when it was introduced in 1982 and heralded the development of the legendary Porsche 956.

The 1983 season: the highlight was victory for Fitzpatrick and Derek Warwick in the Brands Hatch 1,000Kms, but there were podiums too in the 1,000Kms races at Spa and Imola – and a win in the Can-Am race at Elkhart Lake.

The 1984 season: with Fitzpatrick now running a two-car team, the stand-out result was third place in the Le Mans 24 Hours for David Hobbs, Sarel van der Merwe and Philippe Streiff, while strong second places came at the Nürburgring and Mosport, and thirds in Britain at Silverstone and Brands Hatch.

The 1985 season: loss of sponsorship necessitated a reduced programme, mainly with single-car entries, but Le Mans brought another fine finish with fourth place for Jo Gartner, David Hobbs and Guy Edwards.

The 1986 season: Le Mans again provided the highlight with another fourth place, this time for Emilio de Villota, Fermín Velez and George Fouché.

Numerous interviews with drivers and other team personnel bring colour and anecdotes to the story, with significant names including John Fitzpatrick himself and Porsche's Jürgen Barth, plus star drivers such as Derek Warwick, David Hobbs and Thierry Boutsen.

Limited Edition

Limited to only 750 copies signed by author Mark Cole, with 9 copies signed by Rupert Keegan, John Fitzpatrick and Mark Cole, and 2 copies signed by John Fitzpatrick and Mark Cole.

The Author

Mark Cole is a journalist and author who covered his 35th Le Mans 24 Hours in 2017. His career includes being club editor of Autosport magazine, press officer at Thruxton and Silverstone circuits, and the press attaché for the FIA World Sports Car Championship. He has, for 25 years, been a commentator on Eurosport TV. The subjects of his previous books are on Brands Hatch racing circuit and GT racing.

Title Information

Author: Mark Cole
Publication: June 2019
Specifications: 340mm x 245mm hardback, page extent 364pp. Blue slipcase.
Illustrations: Over 400 photographs
Language: English
Publisher: Porter Press International
ISBN: 978-1-907085-88-8