Dauer Sportwagen - History - Early Racing

Early Racing

For several years, Jochen Dauer had run for a number of teams, mainly in the Deutsche Rennsport Meisterschaft and its successor championship, the Supercup. Following the 1986 season, Jochen Dauer purchased a Porsche 962C, formerly belonging to the John Fitzpatrick team, as well as a Zakspeed C1/8. Dauer was able to secure sponsorship from the Victor Computer company, and confirmed a full-season campaign in the Supercup for the 962C, while the Zakspeed car would run in the Interserie. Jochen Dauer was the sole driver of the machines in both championships. Towards the end of 1987, Dauer also chose to enter the World Sports-Prototype Championship, with Johnny Dumfries and Harald Grohs co-driving in the endurance events.

Dauer Racing continued to run their old Zakspeed as well as another newly purchased Porsche in Supercup and Interserie into 1988, and earned their first victory in the Interserie event at Autodrom Most, followed by a one-two victory at Zeltweg Airfield with Franz Konrad in the second entry. Jochen Dauer won the Interserie drivers championship for the year.

In 1989, Dauer Racing chose to concentrate fully on the World Championship and Supercup, only occasionally attending Interserie events. Franz Konrad remained as the co-driver initially, but was later replaced by Will Hoy. Tic Tacs replaced Victor Computer as the team's primary sponsor. Dauer Racing struggled in the World Championship, finishing only one race in which they competed in. In Supercup however, the team finished second in the championship behind the dominant Joest Racing squad, although no victories were earned during the year, nor in the Interserie.

By 1990, the Supercup championship had been canceled. Seeking new areas with which to race the team's 962s, Dauer entered a team in the Camel GT Championship in North America, while the European squad was merged with Konrad Motorsport for a joint entry in the World Championship. Both squads struggled to complete races eventually withdrew from their respective championships before the year was completed. Strapped for cash, Dauer Racing made a last-ditch effort at the 24 Hours of Daytona in 1991, entering two 962s. One car was driven by Mario, Michael, and Jeff Andretti to a fifth place finish overall, while the other featured Al, Al Jr., Bobby, and Robby Unser, although it failed to finish. After this, Dauer Racing withdrew from motorsport.

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