World Sportscar Championship

{{Short description|Endurance auto racing series}} {{about|the world series run for sports car racing by the FIA from 1953 to 1992|the United States and Canada-based sports car racing series|IMSA SportsCar Championship}} {{use dmy dates|date=February 2024}} {{Infobox motorsport championship | name = World Sportscar Championship | logo = File:FIA SportscarWorldChampionship 1991.svg | image-size = 150px | caption = Final logo used from 1991 until series' discontinuation | category = [[Sports car racing]] | country/region = International | inaugural = 1953 | inaugural2 = | folded = 1992 | classes = Multi class championship | drivers = | riders = | teams = | constructors = | engines = | tyres = | tires = | champion driver = {{flagicon|France}} [[Yannick Dalmas]] {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[Derek Warwick]] | champion rider = | champion team = {{flagicon|France}} [[Peugeot Sport|Peugeot Talbot Sport]] | manufacturer = | website = | current_season = |constructor = }}

The '''World Sportscar Championship''' was the world [[Endurance racing (motorsport)|endurance racing]] series run for [[sports car racing]], sanctioned by the [[Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile]] (FIA), from [[1953 World Sportscar Championship|1953]] to [[1992 World Sportscar Championship|1992]]. The championship evolved from a small collection of the most important sportscar, [[Endurance racing (motorsport)|endurance]], and [[road racing]] events in Europe and North America with dozens of gentleman drivers at the grid to a professional racing series where the world's largest automakers spent millions of dollars per year.

The official name of the series frequently changed throughout the years but was generally known as the ''World Sportscar Championship'' from its inception in 1953. Alongside the [[Formula One World Championship]], it was one of the two major [[Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile#FIA World Championships|World Championships]] in circuit motor racing. The championship was revived in the [[2012 FIA World Endurance Championship|2012 season]] under the new name as the [[FIA World Endurance Championship]].

== Official names == The series was known under different names throughout the years:

* 1953–1961: World Sportscar Championship (for [[sports prototype]]s). * 1962–1965: International Championship for GT Manufacturers (for [[Grand tourer|Grand Touring (GT) cars]]). ** Title awarded to sports prototypes was known only as a ''Coupe des Sports'' (in 1962) and as an ''International Prototype Trophy'' (1963–1965). * 1966–1967: International Manufacturers Championship (for sports prototypes); International Sports Car Championship (for GT cars). * 1968–1971: International Championship for Makes (for sports prototypes); International Grand Touring Trophy (for GT cars). * 1972–1975: World Championship for Makes (for sports prototypes); International Grand Touring Trophy (for GT cars). * 1976–1977: World Sports Car Championship (for sports prototypes); World Championship for Makes (for [[Group 5 Special Production Cars]]). * 1978–1981: World Championship for Makes (for [[Group 5 Special Production Cars]]). * 1982–1985: World Endurance Championship (for sports prototypes and, from 1983 to 1984, also for GT cars). * 1986–1990: World Sports Prototype Championship (for sports prototypes). * 1991–1992: Sportscar World Championship (for sports prototypes).

Titles were given to manufacturers from 1953 to 1984 and to teams from 1985 to 1992.

== Races == [[File:1973 Monza 1000 - Ickx leading the pack at the Curva Grande.jpg|thumb|A group of sportscar competitors at [[6 Hours of Monza|Monza]] for the [[1973 World Championship for Makes]]]]

The most famous event was the [[24 Hours of Le Mans]] which was the part of the championship in every season except of the [[1956 World Sportscar Championship|1956]], [[1975 World Sportscar Championship|1975]]–[[1979 World Sportscar Championship|79]] and [[1989 World Sportscar Championship|1989]]–[[1990 World Sportscar Championship|90]] seasons. The [[24 Hours of Daytona]] followed near-continuous inclusion on the World Sportscar Championship. In 1982, the race was dropped as the series attempted to cut costs by both keeping teams in Europe and running shorter races. Among others, the following races also counted towards the championships in certain years: *[[Mille Miglia]] 1953–57 *[[1000 km Nürburgring]] 1953– *[[RAC Tourist Trophy]] 1953–64 *[[12 Hours of Sebring]] 1953– *[[Carrera Panamericana]] 1953–54 *[[Targa Florio]] 1955–73 *[[1000 km Monza]] 1963–2008 *[[1000 km Spa]] 1963– *[[12 Hours of Reims]] 1964–65 *[[1000 km Buenos Aires]] 1954–72 *[[1000 km Zeltweg]] 1966–76 *[[1000 km Fuji]] 1983–88 *[[Norisring 200 Miles]] 1984–88 *[[Watkins Glen 6 Hours]] 1968–71, 1973–80

==History==

=== 1953 to 1961 === In the early years, now legendary races such as the [[Mille Miglia]], [[Carrera Panamericana]] and [[Targa Florio]] were part of the calendar, alongside the [[24 Hours of Le Mans]], the [[12 Hours of Sebring]], the Tourist Trophy and Nurburgring 1000 km. Manufacturers such as [[Ferrari]], [[Maserati]], [[Mercedes-Benz]], [[Porsche]], and [[Aston Martin]] fielded entries, often featuring professional racing drivers with experience in [[Formula One]], but the majority of the fields were made up of gentleman drivers ([[Privateer (motorsport)|privateer]]s) in the likes of [[Nardi (carmaker)|Nardi]]s and [[Bandini Automobili|Bandini]]s. Cars were split into two main categories: purpose-built [[Sports prototype|sports prototypes]] which were the highest level in sports car racing, and production-based [[grand tourer]]s (GT cars) which were based on road-going models and therefore, in general, not as fast as sports prototypes. These categories were further divided into [[engine displacement]] classes. The Ferrari and Maserati works teams were fierce competitors throughout much of the decade, but although Maserati cars won many races the make never managed to clinch the World title.<ref>{{cite book|first=Karl|last=Ludvigsen|author-link=Karl Ludvigsen|title=Red Hot Rivals: Epic Clashes for Supremacy|publisher=Haynes Publishing|year=2008}}</ref> The Mercedes-Benz work team pulled out of the championship after 1955 due to their [[1955 Le Mans disaster|crash at Le Mans]], while the small Aston Martin factory team struggled to find success in 1957 and 1958 until it managed to win the championship in 1959. Notably absent from the overall results were the [[Jaguar Cars|Jaguar]] works team, who did not enter any events other than Le Mans, despite the potential of the [[Jaguar C-Type|C-]] and [[Jaguar D-Type|D-Type]]s.

===1962 to 1965===

In 1962, the calendar was expanded to include smaller races, while the FIA shifted the focus to production based GT cars. The World Sportscar Championship title was discontinued, being replaced by the '''International Championship for GT Manufacturers'''. They group cars into three categories with specific engine sizes; less than one litre, less than two litres, and over two litres. [[Hillclimbing|Hillclimbs]], sprint races and smaller races expanded the championship, which now had about 15 races per season. The famous races like Le Mans still counted towards the prototype championship, however, the points valuation wasn't very tabular so the FIA returned to the original form of the championship with about 6 to 10 races.<ref name=Krejci1>{{cite web | title = World Sportscar Championship | work = World Sports Racing Prototypes | url = http://wsrp.ic.cz/wsc.html | first = Martin | last = Krejci |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150221222225/http://wsrp.ic.cz/wsc.html|archive-date=February 21, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

For 1963 the three engine capacity classes remained but a prototype category was added. For 1965 the engine classes became for cars under 1300 cc (Class I), under 2000 cc (Class II), and over 2000 cc (Class III). Class III was designed to attract more American manufacturers, with no upper limit on engine displacement.<ref name=Rogliatti>{{citation | ref = AU66 | journal = Auto-Universum 1966 (English Edition) | title = The G.T. manufacturers championship | last = Rogliatti | first = Gianni | editor-first = Arthur | editor-last = Logoz | date = 1965 | publisher = Verlag International Automobile Parade | location = Zürich, Switzerland | volume = IX | page = 45 }}</ref>

=== 1966 to 1981 === {{See also|European Sportscar Championship}}

[[File:Ferrari 330 P4 1967.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Ferrari 330 P4 at "1000 km di Monza", 1967]]

The period between 1966 and 1971 was possibly the most successful era of the World Championship, with S (5 L sports cars ) and P (3 L prototypes) classes, and cars such as the [[Ferrari 512|Ferrari 512S]], [[Ferrari P|Ferrari 330 P4]], [[Ford GT40]], [[Lola T70]], [[Chaparral Cars|Chaparral]], [[Alfa Romeo Tipo 33|Alfa Romeo 33]], and Porsche's [[Porsche 908|908]] and [[Porsche 917|917]] battled for supremacy on classic circuits such as [[Sebring Raceway|Sebring]], [[Nürburgring]], [[Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps|Spa-Francorchamps]], [[Autodromo Nazionale Monza|Monza]], [[Targa Florio]], and [[Le Mans]] where the Fords won four years in a row, in what is now considered the Golden Age of sports car racing.

In 1972 the [[Group 6 (racing)|Group 6]] Prototype and [[Group 5 (racing)|Group 5]] Sports Car classes were both replaced by a new Group 5 Sports Car class. These cars were limited to 3.0 L engines by the FIA, and manufacturers gradually lost interest. The new Group 5 Sports Cars, together with Group 4 Grand Touring Cars, would contest the FIA's newly renamed '''World Championship for Makes''' from 1972 to 1975. From 1976 to 1981 the World Championship for Makes was open to [[Group 5 (racing)|Group 5 Special Production Cars]] and other production based categories including [[Group 4 (racing)|Group 4 Grand Touring cars]] and it was during this period that the nearly-invincible [[Porsche 935]] dominated the championship. Prototypes returned in 1976 as [[Group 6 (racing)|Group 6]] cars with their own series, the '''World Championship for Sports Cars''', but this was to last only for two seasons (1976–1977). In 1981, the FIA instituted a drivers championship.

=== 1982 to 1992 === {{See also|European Endurance Championship}} In 1982, the FIA attempted to counter a worrying climb in engine output of the Group 5 Special Production Cars by introducing [[Group C]], a new category for closed sports-prototypes (purpose built racing cars) that limited fuel consumption (the theory being that by limiting fuel consumption, engine regulations could be more relaxed). While this change was unwelcome amongst some of the private teams, manufacturer support for the new regulations was immense. Several of the 'old guard' manufacturers returned to the WSC within the next two years, with each marque adding to the diversity of the series. Under the new rules, it was theoretically possible for [[normally aspirated engine]]s to compete with the (expensive to maintain) [[forced induction]] engines that had dominated the series in the '70s and early '80s. In addition, most races ran for either 500 or 1000 km, usually going over three and six hours, respectively, so it was possible to emphasize the "endurance" aspect of the competition as well. [[Group B]] cars, which was a GT class, were also allowed to race, but entries in this class were sparse; combined with fatal accidents in rallying where the Group B class saw more popularity, the class (and European GT racing altogether) disappeared from the series, with [[sports-prototype]]s dominating the championship.

[[File:956 Rothmans 2.jpg|thumb|right|300px|A works '''Rothmans Porsche 956''' at Silverstone]]

Porsche was the first constructor to join the series, with the [[Porsche 956|956]], but soon several other makes joined the series, including [[Jaguar Cars]], [[Mercedes-Benz]], [[Nissan]], [[Toyota]], [[Mazda]] and [[Aston Martin]]. As costs increased, a C2 class (originally named C Junior) was created for privateer teams and small manufacturers, with greater limits to fuel consumption. In this lower class, most cars used either the [[BMW M1]] engine or the new [[Cosworth DFV#DFL|Cosworth DFL]], but, like in the main class, a variety of solutions were employed by each individual manufacturer. [[Alba Cars|Alba]], [[Tiga Race Cars|Tiga]], [[Spice Engineering|Spice]] and [[Ecurie Ecosse]] were among the most competitive in this class. While the Group C formula had brought manufacturers back to the sport, it was again Porsche - with its 956 & 962 Group C line - that continued their domination of the sport.

For 1986, the World Endurance Championship became the '''World Sports-Prototype Championship'''.

Although the Group C formula was a success, with regular crowds of 50,000 to 70,000 at WSC events (a modern Grand Prix in Europe will have similar crowds), and upwards of 350,000 at the 24 hours of Le Mans,{{Citation needed|date=October 2011}} the [[FIA]] introduced new rules for 1991 at the behest of FIA vice president Bernie Ecclestone;{{Citation needed|date=October 2011}} 750 kg machines with contemporary normally aspirated engines, which were purpose-built 3500cc racing units. The new classification, known as '''Group C Category 1''', was designed to mandate Formula One engines. Although power was generally less than existing Group C cars (around 650 bhp compared to around 750 bhp upwards) the new cars are considered to be among the quickest sportscars ever. However, the take up of these new regulations was slow and only a handful of Category 1 cars were ready for the 1991 season. Consequently, the FIA also allowed cars complying with pre-1991 Group C rules to contest the championship (as '''Group C Category 2''' cars) during the one transitional year. They were however seriously handicapped in terms of weight, fuel allocation and grid positions. For 1991 the championship took on yet another new name, the '''FIA Sportscar World Championship''' and the new 3.5 litre rules took full effect for the 1992 championship with the old Group C cars no longer included.

===1993 demise=== The new generation of WSC racing engines, with the stated intent of cost reduction and improved competition, quickly proved disastrous. Costs rose massively as works teams developed cars capable of qualifying around halfway up a Formula 1 grid, despite weighing some 200 kg more. Manufacturers again abandoned the sportscar series, realising they now had an engine suitable for F1. In particular, Mercedes and [[Peugeot]] elected to either concentrate on or move solely to F1. The more exotic engines were unaffordable for teams like Spice and [[ADA Engineering|ADA]], thus after the manufacturers left the top class of sportscar racing, the series essentially collapsed. A lack of entries meant the 1993 season was cancelled before the first race.

In 1994, the World Sportscar title would return, this time in the hands of the [[International Motor Sports Association]] in North America for use in the [[IMSA GT]] series. The name would be used for the series' top class of prototypes until 1998 when the series ended. 1994 also signaled the return of an international GT series after an absence of over a decade with the introduction of the [[BPR Global GT Series]]. The success of the series lead to a friendly takeover by the FIA in 1997, becoming the [[FIA GT Championship]]. Prototypes were mainly absent from European tracks (Le Mans being the sole notable exception) until 1997, which saw the creation of the International Sports Racing Series which evolved into the short-lived [[FIA Sportscar Championship]] in 2001 until 2003. Sports prototypes then came exclusively under the control of the [[Automobile Club de l'Ouest]] (ACO) and their sanctioned series, the [[American Le Mans Series]] in North America and the [[Le Mans Series]] in Europe. The FIA's championship for GTs was eventually promoted to [[world championship]] status in [[2010 FIA GT1 World Championship|2010]], while the ACO launched their own international championship, the [[Intercontinental Le Mans Cup]], the same year.

===2012 rebirth=== {{main|FIA World Endurance Championship}} Following the success of the ACO's [[Intercontinental Le Mans Cup]] (ILMC), the FIA reached an agreement with the ACO to create a new [[FIA World Endurance Championship]] for 2012. The series shares many elements of the ILMC, including the use of the [[24 Hours of Le Mans]] as part of the series schedule. The series continued to utilise the ACO's two primary classes, [[Le Mans Prototype]]s and [[Grand Tourer|GT Endurance]] (GTE). Hypercar replaced LMP1 as the primary class in 2021,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.fiawec.com/en/hypercar/27 | title=Hypercar - FIA World Endurance Championship | access-date=31 May 2023 | archive-date=29 October 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029094034/https://www.fiawec.com/en/hypercar/27 | url-status=dead }}</ref> running LMH and LMDh cars, the same as used in the [[IMSA Sportscar Championship|IMSA Sportscar Championship's]] top class [[IMSA SportsCar Championship#Class structure|GTP]]. Championship titles are awarded for constructors and drivers in prototypes, while a constructors cup are awarded in the GTE categories. From 2017 championship titles are awarded also for constructors and drivers in GTE category.<ref name="FIA WEC">{{cite web | url = http://fia.com/en-GB/mediacentre/pressreleases/fiasport/2011/Pages/fia-wec.aspx | title = 2012 FIA World Endurance Championship | publisher = [[Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile]] | work = fia.com | date = 2011-06-03 | access-date = 2011-06-04 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110606063434/http://fia.com/en-GB/mediacentre/pressreleases/fiasport/2011/Pages/fia-wec.aspx | archive-date = 2011-06-06 }}</ref><ref name="FIA WMSC">{{cite web | url = http://fia.com/en-GB/mediacentre/pressreleases/wmsc/2011/Pages/wmsc-030611.aspx | title = World Motor Sport Council | publisher = [[Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile]] | work = fia.com | date = 2011-06-03 | access-date = 2011-06-04 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110606063414/http://www.fia.com/en-GB/mediacentre/pressreleases/wmsc/2011/Pages/wmsc-030611.aspx | archive-date = 2011-06-06 }}</ref> [[Group GT3|LMGT3]] replaced GTE in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lloyd |first=Daniel |date=2024-06-13 |title=The Key Battlegrounds in the New GT3 Class at Le Mans |url=https://www.racecar-engineering.com/articles/le-mans/the-key-battlegrounds-for-the-new-class-at-le-mans/ |access-date=2024-06-17 |website=Racecar Engineering |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Championship winners ==

''Note:'' In [[1953 World Sportscar Championship|1953]]-[[1984 World Sportscar Championship|1984]] seasons titles were awarded to ''manufacturers'' of sports cars belonging to two main categories: [[Sports prototype]] (except of the [[1978 World Sportscar Championship|1978]]-[[1981 World Sportscar Championship|1981]] seasons) and [[Grand tourer|Grand Touring (GT)]] (except of the [[1953 World Sportscar Championship|1953]]-[[1961 World Sportscar Championship|1961]] and [[1982 World Sportscar Championship|1982]] seasons). In [[1985 World Sportscar Championship|1985]]-[[1992 World Sportscar Championship|1992]] seasons titles were awarded only to ''teams'' entering sports prototypes (instead of ''manufacturers'' of sports prototypes), excluding ''teams'' entering GT cars.

In [[1962 World Sportscar Championship|1962]]-[[1967 World Sportscar Championship|1967]] seasons titles in both categories were awarded in several engine capacity ''divisions''. In [[1962 World Sportscar Championship|1962]]-[[1963 World Sportscar Championship|1963]] seasons titles were also awarded in three engine capacity ''subdivisions'' (or ''series'') within each ''division'' of GT cars category.<ref>{{cite web|title=World Championship - final positions and tables|url=http://www.classicscars.com/wspr/results/wscc/tablemsmakes.html|publisher=classicscars.com|accessdate=29 March 2023}}</ref>

Key: {{smaller|1='''Winning manufacturer''' = The company that owned the intellectual rights to the chassis and the engine of the car that a team entered for a race.; '''Winning team''' = The company that registered a car and driver for a race, and was then responsible for preparing and maintaining that car during the race weekend.; '''SP''' = [[Sports prototype]]s.; '''SP Jnr''' = [[Group C#History|Sports prototypes]] built by small manufacturers or entered by [[Privateer (motorsport)|privateer team]]s.; '''GT''' =[[Grand tourer|GT cars]].}} {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year ! Title ! Winning manufacturer (1953 – 1984) ! Winning team (1985 – 1992) ! Winning driver(s) (1981 – 1992) |- ! [[1953 World Sportscar Championship|1953]] | World Sportscar Championship (SP) | {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Ferrari]] | align="center" | - | align="center" | - |- ! [[1954 World Sportscar Championship|1954]] | World Sportscar Championship (SP) | {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Ferrari]] | align="center" | - | align="center" | - |- ! [[1955 World Sportscar Championship|1955]] | World Sportscar Championship (SP) | {{flagicon|FRG}} [[Mercedes-Benz]] | align="center" | - | align="center" | - |- ! [[1956 World Sportscar Championship|1956]] | World Sportscar Championship (SP) | {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Ferrari]] | align="center" | - | align="center" | - |- ! [[1957 World Sportscar Championship|1957]] | World Sportscar Championship (SP) | {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Ferrari]] | align="center" | - | align="center" | - |- ! [[1958 World Sportscar Championship|1958]] | World Sportscar Championship (SP) | {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Ferrari]] | align="center" | - | align="center" | - |- ! [[1959 World Sportscar Championship|1959]] | World Sportscar Championship (SP) | {{flagicon|GBR}} [[Aston Martin]] | align="center" | - | align="center" | - |- ! [[1960 World Sportscar Championship|1960]] | World Sportscar Championship (SP) | {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Ferrari]] | align="center" | - | align="center" | - |- ! [[1961 World Sportscar Championship|1961]] | World Sportscar Championship (SP) | {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Ferrari]] | align="center" | - | align="center" | - |- !rowspan=2| [[1962 World Sportscar Championship|1962]] | International Championship for GT Manufacturers (GT) | {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Ferrari]] (+2.0) {{flagicon|FRG}} [[Porsche in motorsport|Porsche]] (2.0) {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Fiat]]-[[Abarth]] (1.0) | align="center" | - | align="center" | - |- | Coupe des Sports (SP) | {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Ferrari]] (3.0) {{flagicon|FRG}} [[Porsche in motorsport|Porsche]] (2.0) {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Fiat]]-[[Abarth]] (1.0) | align="center" | - | align="center" | - |- !rowspan=2| [[1963 World Sportscar Championship|1963]] | International Championship for GT Manufacturers (GT) | {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Ferrari]] (+2.0) {{flagicon|FRG}} [[Porsche in motorsport|Porsche]] (2.0) {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Fiat]]-[[Abarth]] (1.0) | align="center" | - | align="center" | - |- | International Prototype Trophy (SP) | {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Ferrari]] | align="center" | - | align="center" | - |- !rowspan=2| [[1964 World Sportscar Championship|1964]] | International Championship for GT Manufacturers (GT) | {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Ferrari]] (+2.0) {{flagicon|FRG}} [[Porsche in motorsport|Porsche]] (2.0) {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Abarth]]-[[Simca]] (1.0) | align="center" | - | align="center" | - |- | International Prototype Trophy (SP) | {{flagicon|FRG}} [[Porsche in motorsport|Porsche]] | align="center" | - | align="center" | - |- !rowspan=2| [[1965 World Sportscar Championship|1965]] | International Championship for GT Manufacturers (GT) | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Shelby American|Shelby]] (+2.0) {{flagicon|FRG}} [[Porsche in motorsport|Porsche]] (2.0) {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Abarth]]-[[Simca]] (1.3) | align="center" | - | align="center" | - |- | International Prototype Trophy (SP) | {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Ferrari]] | align="center" | - | align="center" | - |- !rowspan=2| [[1966 World Sportscar Championship|1966]] | International Manufacturers Championship (SP) | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] (+2.0) {{flagicon|FRG}} [[Porsche in motorsport|Porsche]] (2.0) | align="center" | - | align="center" | - |- | International Sports Car Championship ([[Group 4 Sports Cars]]) | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] (+2.0) {{flagicon|FRG}} [[Porsche in motorsport|Porsche]] (2.0) {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Abarth]] (1.3) | align="center" | - | align="center" | - |- !rowspan=2| [[1967 World Sportscar Championship|1967]] | International Manufacturers Championship (SP) | {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Ferrari]] (+2.0) {{flagicon|FRG}} [[Porsche in motorsport|Porsche]] (2.0) | align="center" | - | align="center" | - |- | International Sports Car Championship ([[Group 4 Sports Cars]]) | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] (+2.0) {{flagicon|FRG}} [[Porsche in motorsport|Porsche]] (2.0) {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Abarth]] (1.3) | align="center" | - | align="center" | - |- ! [[1968 World Sportscar Championship|1968]] | International Championship for Makes (SP) International Grand Touring Trophy (GT) | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] {{flagicon|FRG}} [[Porsche in motorsport|Porsche]] | align="center" | - | align="center" | - |- ! [[1969 World Sportscar Championship|1969]] | International Championship for Makes (SP) International Grand Touring Trophy (GT) | {{flagicon|FRG}} [[Porsche in motorsport|Porsche]] {{flagicon|FRG}} [[Porsche in motorsport|Porsche]] | align="center" | - | align="center" | - |- ! [[1970 World Sportscar Championship|1970]] | International Championship for Makes (SP) International Grand Touring Trophy (GT) | {{flagicon|FRG}} [[Porsche in motorsport|Porsche]] {{flagicon|FRG}} [[Porsche in motorsport|Porsche]] | align="center" | - | align="center" | - |- ! [[1971 World Sportscar Championship|1971]] | International Championship for Makes (SP) International Grand Touring Trophy (GT) | {{flagicon|FRG}} [[Porsche in motorsport|Porsche]] {{flagicon|FRG}} [[Porsche in motorsport|Porsche]] | align="center" | - | align="center" | - |- ! [[1972 World Sportscar Championship|1972]] | World Championship for Makes (SP) International Grand Touring Trophy (GT) | {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Ferrari]] {{flagicon|FRG}} [[Porsche in motorsport|Porsche]] | align="center" | - | align="center" | - |- ! [[1973 World Sportscar Championship|1973]] | World Championship for Makes (SP) International Grand Touring Trophy (GT) | {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Equipe Matra Sports|Matra]] {{flagicon|FRG}} [[Porsche in motorsport|Porsche]] | align="center" | - | align="center" | - |- ! [[1974 World Sportscar Championship|1974]] | World Championship for Makes (SP) International Grand Touring Trophy (GT) | {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Equipe Matra Sports|Matra]] {{flagicon|FRG}} [[Porsche in motorsport|Porsche]] | align="center" | - | align="center" | - |- ! [[1975 World Sportscar Championship|1975]] | World Championship for Makes (SP) International Grand Touring Trophy (GT) | {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Alfa Romeo in motorsport|Alfa Romeo]] {{flagicon|FRG}} [[Porsche in motorsport|Porsche]] | align="center" | - | align="center" | - |- !rowspan=2| 1976 | [[1976 World Championship for Makes|World Championship for Makes]] ([[Group 5 Special Production Cars]]) | {{flagicon|FRG}} [[Porsche in motorsport|Porsche]] | align="center" | - | align="center" | - |- | [[1976 World Sportscar Championship|World Sports Car Championship]] (SP) | {{flagicon|FRG}} [[Porsche in motorsport|Porsche]] | align="center" | - | align="center" | - |- !rowspan=2| 1977 | [[1977 World Championship for Makes|World Championship for Makes]] ([[Group 5 Special Production Cars]]) | {{flagicon|FRG}} [[Porsche in motorsport|Porsche]] {{flagicon|FRG}} [[BMW in motorsport|BMW]] | align="center" | - | align="center" | - |- | [[1977 World Sportscar Championship|World Sports Car Championship]] (SP) | {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Alfa Romeo in motorsport|Alfa Romeo]] | align="center" | - | align="center" | - |- ! [[1978 World Sportscar Championship|1978]] | World Championship for Makes ([[Group 5 Special Production Cars]]) | {{flagicon|FRG}} [[Porsche in motorsport|Porsche]] | align="center" | - | align="center" | - |- ! [[1979 World Sportscar Championship|1979]] | World Championship for Makes ([[Group 5 Special Production Cars]]) | {{flagicon|FRG}} [[Porsche in motorsport|Porsche]] | align="center" | - | align="center" | - |- ! [[1980 World Sportscar Championship|1980]] | World Championship for Makes ([[Group 5 Special Production Cars]]) | {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Lancia]] | align="center" | - | align="center" | - |- ! [[1981 World Sportscar Championship|1981]] | World Championship for Drivers and Makes ([[Group 5 Special Production Cars]]) | {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Lancia]] | align="center" | - | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Bob Garretson]] |- ! [[1982 World Sportscar Championship|1982]] | World Endurance Championship (SP) | {{flagicon|FRG}} [[Porsche in motorsport|Porsche]] | align="center" | - | {{flagicon|BEL}} [[Jacky Ickx]] |- ! [[1983 World Sportscar Championship|1983]] | World Endurance Championship (SP), (GT) | {{flagicon|FRG}} [[Porsche in motorsport|Porsche]] (SP) {{flagicon|ITA}} Alba-[[Giannini Automobili|Giannini]] (SP Jnr) {{flagicon|FRG}} [[Porsche]] (GT) | align="center" | - | {{flagicon|BEL}} [[Jacky Ickx]] |- ! [[1984 World Sportscar Championship|1984]] | World Endurance Championship (SP), (GT) | {{flagicon|FRG}} [[Porsche in motorsport|Porsche]] (SP) {{flagicon|ITA}} Alba-[[Giannini Automobili|Giannini]] (SP Jnr) {{flagicon|FRG}} [[BMW]] (GT) | align="center" | - | {{flagicon|FRG}} [[Stefan Bellof]] |- ! [[1985 World Sportscar Championship|1985]] | World Endurance Championship (SP) | align="center" | - | {{flagicon|FRG}} [[Rothmans Porsche|Rothmans]] [[Porsche in motorsport|Porsche]] (SP) {{flagicon|GBR}} [[Spice Engineering]] (SP Jnr) | {{flagicon|GBR}} [[Derek Bell (auto racer)|Derek Bell]] (SP) {{flagicon|FRG}} [[Hans-Joachim Stuck]] (SP) {{flagicon|GBR}} [[Gordon Spice]] (SP Jnr) {{flagicon|GBR}} [[Ray Bellm]] (SP Jnr) |- ! [[1986 World Sportscar Championship|1986]] | World Sports Prototype Championship (SP) | align="center" | - | {{flagicon|CHE}} [[Brun Motorsport]] (SP) {{flagicon|GBR}} [[Ecurie Ecosse]] (SP Jnr) | {{flagicon|GBR}} [[Derek Bell (auto racer)|Derek Bell]] (SP) {{flagicon|GBR}} [[Gordon Spice]] (SP Jnr) {{flagicon|GBR}} [[Ray Bellm]] (SP Jnr) |- ! | [[1987 World Sportscar Championship|1987]] | World Sports Prototype Championship (SP) | align="center" | - | {{flagicon|GBR}} [[Silk Cut]] [[Jaguar (car)|Jaguar]] (SP) {{flagicon|GBR}} [[Spice Engineering]] (SP Jnr) | {{flagicon|BRA|variant=1968}} [[Raul Boesel]] (SP) {{flagicon|GBR}} [[Gordon Spice]] (SP Jnr) {{flagicon|ESP}} [[Fermín Vélez]] (SP Jnr) |- ! [[1988 World Sportscar Championship|1988]] | World Sports Prototype Championship (SP) | align="center" | - | {{flagicon|GBR}} [[Silk Cut]] [[Jaguar (car)|Jaguar]] (SP) {{flagicon|GBR}} [[Spice Engineering]] (SP Jnr) | {{flagicon|GBR}} [[Martin Brundle]] (SP) {{flagicon|GBR}} [[Gordon Spice]] (SP Jnr) {{flagicon|GBR}} [[Ray Bellm]] (SP Jnr) |- ! [[1989 World Sportscar Championship|1989]] | World Sports Prototype Championship (SP) | align="center" | - | {{flagicon|SWI}} Team [[Sauber]] [[Mercedes-Benz|Mercedes]] (SP) {{flagicon|GBR}} [[Chamberlain Engineering]] (SP Jnr) | {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Jean-Louis Schlesser]] (SP) {{flagicon|GBR}} [[Nick Adams (racing driver)|Nick Adams]] (SP Jnr) {{flagicon|ESP}} [[Fermín Vélez]] (SP Jnr) |- ! [[1990 World Sportscar Championship|1990]] | World Sports Prototype Championship (SP) | align="center" | - | {{flagicon|SWI}} Team [[Sauber]] [[Mercedes-Benz|Mercedes]] | {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Jean-Louis Schlesser]] {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Mauro Baldi]] |- ! [[1991 World Sportscar Championship|1991]] | Sportscar World Championship (SP) | align="center" | - | {{flagicon|GBR}} [[Silk Cut]] [[Jaguar (car)|Jaguar]] | {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Teo Fabi]] |- ! [[1992 World Sportscar Championship|1992]] | Sportscar World Championship (SP) | align="center" | - | {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Peugeot Sport|Peugeot Talbot Sport]] (SP) {{flagicon|GBR}} [[Chamberlain Engineering]] (SP Jnr) | {{flagicon|GBR}} [[Derek Warwick]] (SP) {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Yannick Dalmas]] (SP) {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Ferdinand de Lesseps (racing driver)|Ferdinand de Lesseps]] (SP Jnr) |}

==See also== * [[FIA World Endurance Championship]]

==References== {{reflist}} *{{cite book|first=Janos|last=Wimpffen|author-link=Janos Wimpffen|title=Time and Two Seats|publisher=David Bull publishing|year=1999|isbn=0-9672252-0-5}} *{{cite book|first=Karl|last=Ludvigsen|author-link=Karl Ludvigsen|title=Red Hot Rivals: Epic Clashes for Supremacy|publisher=Haynes Publishing|year=2008}}

==External links== *[https://web.archive.org/web/20150221222225/http://wsrp.ic.cz/wsc.html WSC Results] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20080622060320/http://www.racingpedia.net/en_world-sportscar-championship_0_intro_0.html World Sportscar Championship stats]

[[Category:World Sportscar Championship| ]] [[Category:Group C]] [[Category:Defunct auto racing series]] [[Category:Recurring sporting events established in 1953]] [[Category:Recurring sporting events disestablished in 1992]] [[Category:Sports car racing series]] [[Category:FIA world championships]]