Nick Faure

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 at Le Mans 24 Hours eleven times. He retired from international motor sport after his last race, 1989 Spa 24 Hours.^[1][2]

Career

In 1967 and 1968, he 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 (4th 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.^[2][3]

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 6th overall, in his attempt in 1975. This would remain Faure’s best result, as he would never again finish inside the top 10. 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.^[1][2][4]

He 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.^[1][5]

Away from the track

Since his association with the Stuttgart marque has been famous from his experience, driving so many types of competition Porsches. Since the mid-1980s, Faure has run his own Porsche Specialist outlet in Surrey, England, selling all thing 911 and 356 related. Faure’s reputation for driving 911s to their limit and sometimes beyond is legendary, in particular his “hands-off” technique of controlling opposite-lock cornering, allowing the car to show off its own self-centering abilities. His wealth of experience and enjoyment owning a 911, he can now supply some of the finest hand-picked examples of these classics.^[1]

Racing record

Career highlights

Complete 24 Hours of Le Mans results

Year	Class	No	Tyres	Car	Team	Co-Drivers	Laps	Pos.	Class Pos.
1975	GT	69		Porsche 911 Carrera RSR Porsche 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	168	NC
1977	Gr.5	42		Porsche 935 Porsche 930/72 F6 2807cc Turbo	Porsche Kremer Racing	John Fitzpatrick Guy Edwards	15	DNF engine
1978	S+2.0	12	G	De Cadenet Lola T380 Ford Cosworth DFV V8/90° DOHC 2993cc	Simon Phillips Racing with Batco Racing	John Bealsey Simon Phillips	99	NC Insufficient distance covered
1979	IMSA+2.5	61	M	Ferrari 512 BB Ferrari F12 4942cc	”Beurlys”	Bernard de Dryver Steve O'Rourke	274	12th	5th
1980	S+2.0	11		De Cadenet Lola LM Ford Cosworth DFV V8/90° 4v DOHC 2993cc	Nick Faure	Bernard de Dryver Richard Jones		DNQ
1981	S+2.0	21	D	De Cadenet Lola LM Ford Cosworth DFV V8/90° 4v DOHC 2993cc	Dorset Racing Associates	Vivian Candy Martin Birrane	171	DNF Gearbox casing
1982	C	16	A	Lola T610 Ford Cosworth DFL V8 3955cc	Ultramar Team Lola	Guy Edwards Rupert Keegan	72	DNF Head gasket
1983	C	41		EMKA C83/1 Aston Martin Tickford V8/90° 2v DOHC 5340cc	EMKA Productions Ltd.	Tiff Needell Steve O'Rourke	275	17th	13th
1984	C1	38	D	Dome RC82 Ford Cosworth DFL V8/90° 3296cc	Dorset Racing Associates	Richard Jones Mark Galvin	156	DNF Oil pressure
1985	C1	66	D	EMKA C84/1 Aston 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.	Class Pos.
1989	N/Div.3	59		Opel Kadett GSi 16V Opel L4 1998cc	East Belgian Racing Team	”Nico” Wolf-Dieter Feuerlein	377	36th	4th

References