962-121 was one of the most successful 962s to compete in IMSA racing. Built as a customer car in 1986 to IMSA's GTP specifications, 121 was sold to Bruce Leven's Mercer Island, Washington-based Bayside Disposal Racing in June of that year. First run by the Bayside team at Watkins Glen in July 1986, 962-121 ran a total of 22 GTP races in its impressive career, winning an astonishing six of 11 entered in 1987, a record that no other 962 ever equaled.
Among the many highlights of 121's career, back to back wins at the Sebring 12 Hours in 1987 and 1988 are undoubtedly its crowning achievements. Running with Budweiser sponsorship in 1987, Jochen Mass and Bobby Rahal led the way home for a 962 podium sweep. Under Havoline livery in 1988, Klaus Ludwig and Hans Stuck drove to a crushing defeat, a full nine laps ahead of the 2nd place finisher, with 962s exerting their dominance having taken the first five positions.
After 121's IMSA career ended, it was sold to Kevin Jeannette (Gunnar Racing), the car's former chief mechanic, and Jeff Hayes, of West Palm Beach, Florida. They in turn sold the car to Tim Vargo of Cordova, Tennessee, who vintage raced it in the mid-1990s. The car then passed to Phil Bagley at Klub Sport Racing and thence to Dr. Jerry Molitor of Chester, New Jersey, in March of 1999. Dr. Molitor entrusted 121 to Kurt Hoffman at Hoffman Vintage Racing for a full restoration prior to running the car in a number of vintage events. After an engine failure, the car went back Hoffman for freshening, while the damaged engine was shipped to Porsche Motorsports North America in Santa Ana, California, for a complete drivetrain overhaul.
After a two-year restoration to its 1988 Sebring appearance, Dr. Molitor displayed -121 at major Concours around the country, including Greenwich and Amelia Island, where it was awarded the "Spirit of Sebring" trophy. It has been invited to appear at Amelia Island again this year to help celebrate Sebring's 60th anniversary and the 25th anniversary of its first Sebring victory. Dr. Molitor and his son have raced 962-121 at many club events and vintage races including the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion to show that this Porsche prototype is still much more than just a pretty face. It represents the high point of the 962's IMSA program and would make an important addition to any collection of racing champions.
Description courtesy of Bonhams International Auction House
Date | Race | No. | Chassis | Drivers | Entrant | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6.7.1986 | 500 mile Watkins Glen | 85 | Porsche 962 #121 | Leven / Adam / Barilla | Bridgestone-Bayside | 18th |
27.7.1986 | 300 km Portland | 85 | Porsche 962 #121 | Bob Wollek | Bridgestone/Bayside | 10th |
6.7.1986 | 500 mile Watkins Glen | 85 | Porsche 962 #121 | Leven / Adam / Barilla | Bridgestone-Bayside | 18th |
27.7.1986 | 300km Portland | 85 | Porsche 962 #121 | Bob Wollek | Bridgestone/Bayside | 10th |
24.8.1986 | 500 mile Road America | 86 | Porsche 962 #121 | Leven / Barilla | Bridgestone/Bayside | 22nd |
5.10.1986 | 500km Columbus | 86 | Porsche 962 #121 | Leven / Millen | Bridgestone/Bayside | 8th |
1.2.1987 | 24h Daytona | 86 | Porsche 962 #121 | Mass / Ludwig | Bayside Disposal Racing | 56th |
1.3.1987 | 3h Miami | 86 | Porsche 962 #121 | Mass / Rahal | Leven/Bayside Disposal Racing | 2nd |
21.3.1987 | 12h Sebring | 86 | Porsche 962 #121 | Mass / Rahal | Bayside Disposal Racing | 1st |
26.4.1987 | 500km Riverside | 86 | Porsche 962 #121 | Leven / Hobbs | Bayside Disposal | 9th |
3.5.1987 | 300km Laguna Seca | 85 | Porsche 962 #121 | Klaus Ludwig | Bayside Disposal Racing | 1st |
7.6.1987 | 500km Mid-Ohio | 86 | Porsche 962 #121 | Mass / Rahal | Bayside Disposal | 1st |
26.7.1987 | 300km Portland | 86 | Porsche 962 #121 | Bobby Rahal | Leven/Bayside Disposal Racing | 2nd |
2.8.1987 | 300km Sears Point | 86 | Porsche 962 #121 | Jochen Mass | Bayside Motorsports | 1st |
16.8.1987 | 500 mile Road America | 86 | Porsche 962 #121 | Leven / Haywood | Bayside Motorsports | 36th |
4.10.1987 | 300km Columbus | 86 | Porsche 962 #121 | Bobby Rahal | Leven/Bayside Disposal Racing | 1st |
25.10.1987 | 2 h Del Mar |
85 | Porsche 962 #121 | Jochen Mass | Leven/Bayside Disposal Racing | 1st |
19.3.1988 | 12h Sebring | 86 | Porsche 962 #121 | Stuck / Ludwig | Bayside Disposal Racing | 1st |
14.8.1988 | 300 km Sears Point | 86 | Porsche 962 #121 | Leven / Dyson | Waste Management/Bayside | 13th |
2.10.1988 | 300km Columbus | 86 | Porsche 962 #121 | Bruce Leven | Bayside-Leven Motorsport | 36th |
23.10.1988 | 2h Del Mar | 85 | Porsche 962 #121 | Bayside-Leven Motorsport | DNA | |
5.2.1989 | 24h Daytona | 85 | Porsche 962 #121 | Leven / Dyson / Dobson / Paul, Jr. | Texaco Havoline Star Bayside Motorsports | 36th |
30.7.1989 | 300 km Portland | 85 | Porsche 962 #121 | Bruce Leven | Bayside Racing/Bruce Leven | 12th |
10.9.1989 | 300 km Sears Point | 86 | Porsche 962 #121 | Jochen Mass | Bayside Racing/Bruce Leven | 7th |
22.10.1989 | 2h Del Mar | 86 | Porsche 962 C #121 | Mass | Bayside Racing/Bruce Leven | 5th |
Results courtesy of RacingSportsCars.com