Built in 1982 as a replacement for the Porsche 936, the Porsche 956 was a car that was designed by Porsche specialist “Mr. Le Mans” or Norbert Singer (who designed practically all the Porsche racing cars such as 917, 935, 936, 956, 962 C, WSC Spyder and 911 GT1 98 during 1970-1998). 

With a monocoque chassis made from aluminium, the engine used was of the older 936/81 but was made to comply rules that met the Group C regulations so as to keep the weight under 800 kg. This model dominated so much that it took the top seven places in the final standing.

At the 51st edition of the Le Mans held at the Circuit de la Sarthe, France on 18-19 June, 1983, the car sponsored by the Rothmans Porsche Team with drivers Australian Vern Schuppan and Americans Hurley Haywood and Al Holbert came 1st after doing 370 laps.