'Dream Team' Daytona-Winning Porsche 962 Confirmed

March 4, 2017 by Amelia Island Concours

'DREAM TEAM'' DAYTONA WINNING PORSCHE 962 CONFIRMED FOR NEXT WEEKEND'S AMELIA ISLAND CONCOURS

Al Unser's 'dream team' Porsche 962 prototype that won the 1985 Rolex 24 at Daytona is a confirmed entrant in the 22nd Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance Cars of Al Unser Sr. class.

The winner of the 1985 Rolex 24 proved that fast and steady does indeed win the race. So does a cast of superstars. Al Unser Sr., a three-time Indy 500 winner that February weekend, joined four-time Indy 500 winner AJ Foyt, Porsche superstar Bob Wollek and Thierry Boutsen in the number-8 Porsche 962 at Daytona to open his 1985 racing season. They faced a multi-class 76-car field led by the favorite Porsche 962 team of Al Holbert, Derek Bell and Al Unser Jr.

The fans and press loved the Father vs. Son Porsche duel. It was made even more complex because Foyt and Wollek had the flu. Plus this was the senior Unser's first night race, a fact unknown to everyone but him.

During the night the Unser/Foyt/Wollek Porsche 962 was as much as 13 laps behind the leading #14 Holbert Porsche. But just after dawn fuel feed problems hobbled the leading #14 Porsche. The problem persisted throughout Sunday morning and their leading margin eroded to just two laps as the healthy Unser/Foyt/Wollek Porsche 962 began to close.

Foyt and Wollek had won the 1983 Rolex 24 for Porsche and car entrant Preston Henn in an atmosphere of acrimony when Foyt was a last minute substitute. But by the start of the 1985 Rolex 24 the odd couple of the Texan and the Frenchman were fast and firm allies of one mind. As the Frenchman prepared for his final two-hour stint Fo yt gallantly handed Wollek his gloves and helmet. At the checkered flag the international team of Porsche ace Wollek and the Indy 500 winners had turned a 13 lap deficit into a 17 lap lead, and Al Unser added yet another major international victory to his resume.

On November 9, 1985 at Tamiami Park Al Sr. won his third Indy Car title in the last few laps of the Miami 200 mile season finale defeating his son for the national championship by just a single point.

'This Porsche 962 shows the depth of 'Big Al's' versatility,' said Bill Warner, founder and Chairman of the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance. 'The '85 Rolex 24 was his first Daytona 24 Hours and his first night race. At the end of that season he won the CART title in an open wheel Indy car: he can win in any kind of car, day or night, on any kind of circuit or track.'