Sports Car Racing
Martini's first sponsorship program happened in a minor event at the Hockenheimring in 1968. Martini Racing was then formed to enter two Porsche 907 in several sports car races in 1969 to back up the factory effort.
During the 1970s, Martini became famous in connection with Porsche in motorsport, sponsoring the works Porsche 917 that won the 1971 24 Hours of Le Mans. After a one-year hiatus in 1972, as Porsche retired from the WC championship as its 917, Martini and Porsche renewed their ties in the 1973 season, sponsoring the 911 Carrera RS that won the Targa Florio in surprise. The Martini Porsche cars won Le Mans once more in 1976 and 1977 with Porsche 936, as well as in many other events in the 1970s for the factory Porsche team, with the RSR Turbo, 935 and 936. In 1978, Martini only sponsored the works team in Le Mans, while in 1980 they were associated with Joest Racing, once more only at Le Mans.
In 1981, Martini Racing supported the Italian Lancia effort in sports car racing with the Group 5 Lancia Monte Carlo, Group 6 Lancia LC1 and Group C Lancia LC2. The works Lancia Martini drivers lineup included several contemporary Formula One racers, including Michele Alboreto, Teo Fabi and Riccardo Patrese. The association lasted until the 1986 24 Hours of Le Mans, but by then, Lancia was more involved with rallying.
After that, Martini Racing made only brief one-off entries in sports car racing, including three seasons in the FIA Sportscar Championship with Gianni Giudici's Picchio.
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