data-caption data-sizenormal data-rawwidth800 data-rawheight600 classoriginimage zh-lightbox-thumb lazy width800 data-original data-actualsrc 961 LM data-caption data-sizenormal data-rawwidth800 data-rawheight600 classoriginimage zh-lightbox-thumb lazy width800 data-original data-actualsrc 1986 961 data-caption data-sizenormal data-rawwidth800 data-rawheight600 classoriginimage zh-lightbox-thumb lazy width800 data-original data-actualsrc 1987 961 LM data-caption data-sizenormal data-rawwidth800 data-rawheight600 classoriginimage zh-lightbox-thumb lazy width800 data-original data-actualsrc 1987 961 LMIn the early 1980s, the Fdration Internationale du Sport Automobile (FISA) reorganized their classification structure for motorsports. Two new categories, known as Group B and Group C, were designated for use in the World Sports-Prototype Championship. Porsche had developed the 956 for the Group C rules, and following the 956s debut, began work on developing a Group B car. An initial proto type concept, named the Porsche Gruppe B, debuted in 1983, after which plans were made to build the car for production and provide racing versions for customers as had been done with the 956.80FIABCPorscheC956956BPorsche Gruppe B-B1983956By time the Gruppe B had been launched as the production 959 in 1985, Group B rules had been altered by FISA to better suit the class use in the World Rally Championship rather than the Sports-Prototype Championship. Plans to develop multiple customer cars for sports car racing were therefore scrapped by Porsche, but development continued on the production of car which could be factory run in order to put the cars development to use. This lone racing car, built on 959 chassis No. 10016, became known as the 961.Gruppe B1985959BWRCSPC10016959AKA-961The new 961 retained much from the 959 road car, including most notably the four-wheel drive system that was uncommon in sports car racing at the time but allowable under the Group B regulations. The system wa s modified to distribute power more to the rear wheels rather than the balanced distribution of the 959. The driver adjustable damper and suspension systems were removed and replaced by a racing unit that could only be adjusted from by the pit crew, but was more reliable for endurance racing.9619594WDB4WD959The 961s engine was a Porsche Type-935 unit. This twin-turbocharged engine was not only used in the 959, but also in the Group C 956 and later the 962C.1 This racing development helped the 961 run higher boost level than the standard 959. This resulted in a peak power output of 680 hp (510 kW). The brakes were also adopted from those developed for the 962C.Bodywork was replaced with lighter panels to bring the car down to a weight of 1. 150 kg (2. 540 lb), while the rear wing and front fascia were replaced with modified designs in order to create more downforce.Dunlop, who already supported Porsches factory 962C team, supplied the tyres for the 961.961935959C956962C961959680HP510KW962 C1150KG962C961 When the 961 was completed in 1986, Porsche had not yet built enough 959s to satisfy the Group B regulations for homologation. Due to this, the 961 had to be classified under International Motor Sports Associations similar GTX class.1986961B959.