Take A Ride In A Porsche 956!

[jhansen]

I stumbled on this collection of videos the other day. The footage includes in-car rides at Le Mans, Silverstone, and the Nurburgring Nordschleife. The videos are a bit lengthy to download, but are well worth it. The footage looks to be from 1983. The Nurburgring run includes commentary from Derek Bell.

http://www.lad.lv/~martini/porsche/d...ub=2&model=956

I also recently ordered an hour-long DVD titled In-Car 956, which I think includes some of this footage. Here's a link to the DVD.

http://www.dukevideo.com/Welcome/DVD...956%20DVD.aspx

[jhansen]

My copy of In-Car 956 arrived yesterday and I immediately watched the video. I'll give a short review of my impressions. If the mods would like to move this thread please do so.

Basically, the video includes seven in-car rides with Derek Bell driving a factory Rothman's Porsche 956. The footage is from 1983 and follows the WSC calendar from that year. You also get a bonus ride with Vern Schuppan at Mosport.

The video opens with a few laps at Silverstone. The audio for the Silverstone laps was the worst of the bunch, but you could still just hear the engine note and the tires chirping a bit as he pounds around the circuit. There is no commentary for this portion.

Next you go to the Nurburgring Nordschleife. Derek Bell describes the lap as you ride along. His insight is enjoyable as he tries to relate his experience to you.

Le Mans is next up. This portion features commentary from an unnamed announcer. You ride on Bell’s out lap and a flying lap. In my opinion the ride down the Mulsanne sans chicanes at 240mph is well worth the price of admission. To see the scenery streaking by is truly remarkable.

Spa is next up and features the same commentator as the Le Mans laps. Another great drive through a classic circuit.

Brands Hatch follows. The last three tracks appear to be narrated by Derek Bell himself while driving. That is the impression I got anyways. Fuji is next with a few laps on a drying track with Kylami rounding out the series. The Mosport lap includes no commentary.

All in all, I was extremely pleased with this DVD. I am a great fan of the Porsche 956/962s, so this was a must. The footage is dated, but the quality is reasonable given the time when it was made. Although some might be disappointed as this is not "state of the art." This is no frills racing action. You pretty much get the in-car video, great sounds, manual shifting, oversteer, understeer, bumps, wheelspin, an odd shifting noise that must be akin to the 956, and some commentary.

[cybersdorf]

Manual shifting... - wasn't it the PDK car Bell used for these camera rides? That would account for the strange noise.
Also, they change gear manually today as well. Just not with a stick shift.

Great sound - well you said it yourself, you are a fan of the 956/962, a car which I like to consider one of the dullest ever.

All joking aside, I also know the DVD, it is a "must have".

[Aysedasi]

In-Car 956 was the first video I ever bought - in 1985, I think.... Its been referred to many times in threads in Armchair Enthusiast.. For the sportscar fan, Derek's runs at Le Mans and the Nurburgring are simply unmissable. If you haven't got this already - you should have. [Isn't the commentator Brian Kreisky?]

[JAG]

'Great sound - well you said it yourself, you are a fan of the 956/962, a car which I like to consider one of the dullest ever'

I thought that in the later days of Group C, but once they're gone you start to pine for them.

I'm pretty sick of the 550/575 at the momnet, but they'll be missed.

[cybersdorf]

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

[Isn't the commentator Brian Kreisky?]

I believe so. He's been gone for a while, too.

[paul-collins]

BTW, one thing to watch for is Jacky Ickx. Seems he always knew when the camera was rolling, and made a point of showing off for it.

[jhansen]

Well geeze cy, thanks for the epitath...


Edit: Yes P-C, Ickx overtakes Bell a few times in the video, as does Stefan Bellof.

[cybersdorf]

Originally Posted by jhansen

Well geeze cy, thanks for the epitath...

I was whistling "nearer my god to thee" as I posted it...

[Aysedasi]

If I remember..... "He's going very fast because he doesn;t have a camera in the car........"...

I miss those 956/962s enormously. But then my first Le Mans was 1986 and I just loved Group C.

[jhansen]

LoL, yes Ayse, I did catch that comment as well.

[Splendid Cat]

Originally Posted by cybersdorf

I believe so. He's been gone for a while, too.

He's dead. He was the producer and director. I think he was killed in a light aircraft / helicopter crash a several years ago.

[cybersdorf]

Originally Posted by Splendid Cat

He's dead.

I know.

[Splendid Cat]

Originally Posted by cybersdorf

I know.

You always do my friend

[Graham Goodwin]

it was a plane crash - failed take off and flew into a building

[Hazza]

that video scars you. When ever you play GT4 around the ring you'll hear voices in your head!

"There goes Jacky Ickx on his qualifying lap..."

[Truckosaurus]

My favourite bit, and forgive me as I've mentioned it before on here, is where Dellboy runs wide at one corner at high speed, gets on the grass and fairly close to the armco and just mutters "oops!" into the microphone.

[AllonFS]

My favourite bit is on the first lap at Le Mans where as he is accelerating flat out on the Mulsanne he takes one hand off the wheel (I suspect to pick his nose!) whilst overtaking a slower prototype. Genius.

[Aysedasi]

I always pick my nose at £200+ mph......... Is that unusual?

[jimclark]

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

I always pick my nose at £200+ mph......... Is that unusual?

Only if there's nothing to be had....

[Splendid Cat]

My fave bit is accelerating through the dunlop curve (pre- girly chicane). Look at the crowds on driver's side and then you get a idea of the speed. Even with a camera in the car. If anybody has got "24 to zero" (the 84 Lm vid) you get the same feeling, but this time its in the race.