Porsche's history with Rothmans
I begin by saying that the history of these two Porsche & Rothmans companies will be forever associated in the memory of fans who, in the 80's and like me, followed the most varied automobile competitions, starting in 1982 in the World Endurance Championship, continuing in 1984 by the European Championship rally and finally at Paris-Dakar, 3 different competitions where PORSCHE associated with Rothmans would have sporting and commercial success as is the hallmark of the 2 brands in question.

In a small reference to the history of ROTHMANS, it was founded by Louis Rothman in 1890 with a small kiosk on Fleet Street in London, in 1900 Rothman opened a showrrom in Pal Mall, where he created this same brand of cigarettes, due to the success of this economic group currently the main brands sold worldwide.

In 1982, Rothmans decided to bet heavily on the World Endurance Championship and nothing better than sponsoring the PORSCHE team in the 24h. Le Mans, where its beautiful colors fit like a glove on the magnificent 956, this bet turned out to be a resounding marketing success with the conquest of 1st/2nd and 3rd places, from this result the sky was the limit.


In 1984 PORSCHE produced the 911 SC RS model with technical support from Prodrive and its focus turned to the European Rally Championship where drivers like H.Toivonen and B.Beguin delighted the fans driving these machines.

Still in 84 and in a more radical bet, the appeal of the Desert was challenging, initially with the 911 4x4 and then with 959 Raid masterfully led by R.Metge and J.Ickx, the balance of this challenge was brilliant in 3 participations they managed 2 victories in 84 and 86 with R.Metge, with the banning of Gr.B cars in the rally scene, this partnership ended with the tobacco brand following for F1.

It remains for me to mention for having the memory of these sporting events of PORSCHE with ROTHMANS and for being one of the mythical decorations that I have in my collection of miniature models with this theme, namely a Porsche 956 of the 24h. Le Mans, 2 x MB and MAN truck transporter, 2 Porsche 959 Rally Raid and I will soon buy the 911 SC.


João R.