Nick Faure (born 28 May 1944) is a former English sportscar racing driver, and purveyor of Porsche in the United Kingdom of his era. Known affectionately as Mr. Porsche, Faure achieved fame through racing and selling Porsche 911 and 356s, since the 1960s and his name has become synonymous with the marque. His fame allowed him the opportunity to race at Le Mans 24 Hours eleven times. He retired from international motor sport after the 1989 Spa 24 Hours.

Career

In 1967 and 1968, Faure raced the ex-works 911, that Vic Elford had raced for Porsche GB. In 1969, Faure moved into British Saloon Car Championship, with the support of Porsche Cars GB, racing for the Demetriou Group. During the season, he achieved three fourth place finishes at Silverstone, Snetterton and Crystal Palace. This resulted in 16th place in the overall championship standings (fourth in class) For the next three seasons, Faure had step away from the International scene and raced nationally. In 1973, he was invited by Porsche to drive their brand new Carrera RS 2.7 lightweight in the British Production Sports Car Championship. He then moved on to the RS 3.0 version for the following season, still under Porsche Cars GB banner.

1974 also saw Faure receive an invitation to drive a Carrera 3.0 RSR for Ecurie Francorchamps, in the British Airways 1000km, at Brands Hatch. Although, due to gearbox problems, the car did not finish the race, this led to him to this first appearance in the Le Mans 24 hours. He helped steer the Carrera 3.0 RSR of ”Beurlys” to sixth overall, in his attempt in 1975. This would remain Faure’s best result, as he would never again finish inside the top-ten. The 1977 Rivet Supply 6 Hours race at Brands Hatch, would see Faure’s best result in a World Sportscar race, when partnered by Bob Wollek, he finished fourth overall in a Porsche Kremer Racing 935.

Faure would continue to race annually at Le Mans until 1985, taking in some other Word Sportscar race, mainly in England without much success. After finishing 36th in the 1989 24 Heures de Francorchamps - Lotto Trophy, he would retire from International Motor Sport.

Away from the track

Faure became associated with Porsche through his experience driving a wide range of the company's competition cars. Since the mid-1980s, he has operated a Porsche specialist business in Surrey, England, focusing on Porsche 911 and 356 models. He became known for his driving style in Porsche 911s, particularly his use of "hands off" opposite-lock cornering techniques that demonstrated the car's self-centering characteristics. Drawing on his experience with the marque, he later specialized in sourcing and supplying selected classic Porsche models.

Racing record

Career highlights Season Series Position Team Car 1969 British Saloon Car Championship 16th Demetriou Group Porsche 911 1981 World Endurance Championship for drivers 293rd Dorset Racing Associates Lola-Cosworth T298

Complete 24 Hours of Le Mans results Year Class No Tyres Car Team Co-Drivers Laps Pos. ClassPos. 1975 GT 69 Porsche 911 Carrera RSRPorsche F6 2v SOHC 2992cc ”Beurlys” ”Jean Beurlys” John Cooper 311 6th 2nd 1976 GT 70 Porsche 934 Porsche 930/71 F6 2992cc Turbo ”Beurlys” ”Jean Beurlys” John Goss 168NC 1977 Gr.5 42 Porsche 935 Porsche 930/72 F6 2807cc Turbo Porsche Kremer Racing John Fitzpatrick Guy Edwards 15DNFengine 1978 S+2.0 12 De Cadenet Lola T380Ford Cosworth DFV V8/90° DOHC 2993cc Simon Phillips Racing with Batco Racing John Bealsey Simon Phillips 99NCInsufficient distance covered 1979 IMSA+2.5 61 Ferrari 512 BBFerrari F12 4942cc ”Beurlys” Bernard de Dryver Steve O'Rourke 274 12th 5th 1980 S+2.0 11 De Cadenet Lola LMFord Cosworth DFV V8/90° 4v DOHC 2993cc Nick Faure Bernard de Dryver Richard JonesDNQ 1981 S+2.0 21 De Cadenet Lola LMFord Cosworth DFV V8/90° 4v DOHC 2993cc Dorset Racing Associates Vivian Candy Martin Birrane 171DNFGearbox casing 1982 C 16 Lola T610Ford Cosworth DFL V8 3955cc Ultramar Team Lola Guy Edwards Rupert Keegan 72DNFHead gasket 1983 C 41 EMKA C83/1Aston Martin Tickford V8/90° 2v DOHC 5340cc EMKA Productions Ltd. Tiff Needell Steve O'Rourke 275 17th 13th 1984 C1 38 Dome RC82Ford Cosworth DFL V8/90° 3296cc Dorset Racing Associates Richard Jones Mark Galvin 156DNFOil pressure 1985 C1 66 EMKA C84/1Aston Martin Tickford V8/90° 2v DOHC 5340cc EMKA Productions Ltd. Tiff Needell Steve O'Rourke 338 11th 11th

Complete 24 Hours of Spa results Year Class No Tyres Car Team Co-Drivers Laps Pos. ClassPos. 1989 N/Div.3 59 Opel Kadett GSi 16VOpel L4 1998cc East Belgian Racing Team ”Nico” Wolf-Dieter Feuerlein 377 36th 4th

References