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The Thrilling 1981 Le Mans: A Race for the Ages

Introduction

The 1981 24 Hours of Le Mans was an epic motorsport event that showcased the pinnacle of endurance racing. Held on June 13-14 at the legendary Circuit de la Sarthe, the race attracted a record-breaking crowd of 350,000 spectators who witnessed a thrilling battle for victory.

Race Highlights

The race started with a dramatic crash involving several cars, including the leading Porsche 917. However, the Porsche team quickly recovered, with Jacky Ickx and Derek Bell taking the lead in their Porsche 936.

The race developed into a fierce battle between Porsche and Lancia, with the Italian team fielding its powerful Lancia Beta Montecarlo Turbo. After several lead changes, Porsche emerged victorious, with Ickx and Bell crossing the finish line in their Porsche 936 after 342 laps.

Finishing Positions

Position	Team	Drivers	Time
1	Porsche	Jacky Ickx, Derek Bell	24:54:05.260
2	Lancia	Michele Alboreto, Jean-Claude Andruet	24:59:00.420
3	Porsche	Bob Wollek, Joest Wiedenhausen	25:04:01.830
4	Rondeau	Jean Ragnotti, Philippe Alliot	25:06:12.750
5	Porsche	Jürgen Barth, Walter Röhrl	25:08:36.670

Notable Facts

The race was won by Porsche for the fifth consecutive year.
Jacky Ickx became the first driver to win the race six times.
The Porsche 936 set a new race distance record of 4,842.813 km.
The race was the last major international event for the Porsche 917.

Key Moments

Lap 1: A crash involving several cars, including the leading Porsche 917, causes a safety car period.

Lap 40: Porsche takes the lead with Jacky Ickx at the wheel of the Porsche 936.

Lap 120: Lancia's Michele Alboreto passes Ickx for the lead.

Lap 220: Ickx regains the lead, which Porsche holds for the remainder of the race.

Lap 342: Ickx and Bell cross the finish line in the Porsche 936, winning the race.

The Impact of the 1981 Le Mans

The 1981 Le Mans was a significant event in the history of motorsport. It was a race that showcased the pinnacle of endurance racing and featured some of the most iconic cars and drivers of the era. The race helped to solidify Porsche's dominance in endurance racing and cemented Jacky Ickx's status as a legend of the sport.

Conclusion

The 1981 24 Hours of Le Mans was a thrilling race that will be remembered for its dramatic moments and its historic significance. It was a race that showcased the best of endurance racing and left an enduring legacy on the sport.