Porsche's extraordinary track record in endurance racing includes nearly the same number of wins at Le Mans (19) as at Daytona (18). The German marque's history at the two races kicked off at the end of the 1960s when the Rolex 24 at Daytona served as the opening round of the World Marques Championship, predecessor to the current FIA World Endurance Championship.

1968-1970: from the 907 to the 917 – On 4 February 1968, Porsche won its first 24-hour endurance race: Daytona with a 907 driven by Vic Elford, Hans Herrmann, Jochen Neerpasch, Jo Siffert and Rolf Stommelen, the marque's best factory drivers at the time. The legendary 917 was born the following year. After early difficulties, modifications executed in 1970 and 1971 by John Wyer's Gulf team and engineer John Horsman transformed the car into a relentless winning machine, becoming (after the Ford Mk II in 1966) the second car to win both Daytona and Le Mans in the same year. Wyer achieved the victory at Daytona with his favorite driver, Pedro Rodríguez (along with Leo Kinnunen and Brian Redman in 1970, then with Jackie Oliver in 1971). During the same era, the 917 gave Porsche its first two wins at Le Mans thanks to Richard Attwood/Hans Herrmann in 1970 (Porsche Konstruktionen Salzburg team) and Helmut Marko/Gijs van Lennep in 1971 (Martini Racing).

1982-1989: from the 956 to the 962 C – In 1982, new prototype regulations called Group C brought about the Porsche 956. The car driven by Jacky Ickx and Derek Bell won the 24 Hours that year for its rookie appearance, and again in 1983 thanks to Hurley Haywood, Al Holbert and Vern Schuppan. The 956 was ineligible to compete in the IMSA as the American championship rules required the pedals to be behind the front wheel axle. Then modified, the 956 became the 962 for its first participation mid-season of the 1984 IMSA. The car went on to win the 1985 Rolex 24 at Daytona driven by Thierry Boutsen, A.J. Foyt, Al Unser, Sr. and Bob Wollek. That same year, Porsche made the 962 C its factory prototype for Le Mans. Hans-Joachim Stuck clocked a record pole position (3:14.88 at an average 251 kph) which held until 2017. However, the official 962 Cs were beaten in the race by the fuel strategy adopted by Joest Racing's 956.

Later on, Derek Bell and Al Holbert won Daytona with the 962 (along with Al Unser, Jr. in 1986, and Chip Robinson and Unser, Jr. in 1987) and Le Mans with the 962 C (along with Stuck in 1986 and 1987). Beaten at Le Mans by Jaguar in 1988 then Sauber-Mercedes in 1989, Porsche won two additional victories at Daytona in 1989 with the 962 of John Andretti/Derek Bell/Bob Wollek and in 1991 with Joest Racing's 962 C driven by Hurley Haywood/Frank Jelinski/Henri Pescarolo/John Winter/Bob Wollek.

Like the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Rolex 24 at Daytona has always been hugely popular, in part due to the unique nature of the circuit which borrows part of the oval used for the Daytona 500, and because of the sunny Floridian weather greatly appreciated during European winters (even though rain can often play a role). Hypercar constructors have their own reasons for taking part in the race: Porsche will be looking to increase its win record to 20, Ferrari hasn't won as a factory team in half a century, Peugeot has never won, Jim Glickenhaus is creating new opportunities at home, and more. The grid on the raised portion of the circuit at the start of the race will certainly be a stunning sight in the very near future!

PHOTOS (Copyright - ACO/ARCHIVES) - AT TOP: LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), 1970 24 HOURS OF LE MANS. Though the Gulf team clinched two wins with the Porsche 917 at the Rolex 24 at Daytona in 1970 and 1971, John Wyer's outfit never managed to triumph at Le Mans with the car during that period. ABOVE: LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), 1986 24 HOURS OF LE MANS. One year after the first of its five victories at Daytona, in 1986 the 962 (version 962 C) became the fifth Porsche to win Le Mans after the 917, 936, 935 and 956.