Nick Faure

Nick Faure
Nationality English
Born 28 May 1944
Retired 1989

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

Season Series Position Team Car
1969 British Saloon Car Championship [6] 16th Demetriou Group Porsche 911
1981 World Endurance Championship for drivers [7][8] 293rd Dorset Racing Associates Lola-Cosworth T298

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
Belgium ”Beurlys” Belgium ”Jean Beurlys”
United Kingdom John Cooper
311 6th 2nd
1976 GT 70 Porsche 934
Porsche 930/71 F6 2992cc Turbo
Belgium ”Beurlys” Belgium ”Jean Beurlys”
Australia John Goss
168 NC
1977 Gr.5 42 Porsche 935
Porsche 930/72 F6 2807cc Turbo
Germany Porsche Kremer Racing United Kingdom John Fitzpatrick
United Kingdom Guy Edwards
15 DNF
engine
1978 S+2.0 12 G De Cadenet Lola T380
Ford Cosworth DFV V8/90° DOHC 2993cc
France Simon Phillips Racing with Batco Racing United Kingdom John Bealsey
United Kingdom Simon Phillips
99 NC
Insufficient distance covered
1979 IMSA+2.5 61 M Ferrari 512 BB
Ferrari F12 4942cc
Belgium ”Beurlys” Belgium Bernard de Dryver
United Kingdom Steve O'Rourke
274 12th 5th
1980 S+2.0 11 De Cadenet Lola LM
Ford Cosworth DFV V8/90° 4v DOHC 2993cc
United Kingdom Nick Faure Belgium Bernard de Dryver
United Kingdom Richard Jones
DNQ
1981 S+2.0 21 D De Cadenet Lola LM
Ford Cosworth DFV V8/90° 4v DOHC 2993cc
United Kingdom Dorset Racing Associates Republic of Ireland Vivian Candy
Republic of Ireland Martin Birrane
171 DNF
Gearbox casing
1982 C 16 A Lola T610
Ford Cosworth DFL V8 3955cc
United Kingdom Ultramar Team Lola United Kingdom Guy Edwards
United Kingdom Rupert Keegan
72 DNF
Head gasket
1983 C 41 EMKA C83/1
Aston Martin Tickford V8/90° 2v DOHC 5340cc
United Kingdom EMKA Productions Ltd. United Kingdom Tiff Needell
United Kingdom Steve O'Rourke
275 17th 13th
1984 C1 38 D Dome RC82
Ford Cosworth DFL V8/90° 3296cc
United Kingdom Dorset Racing Associates United Kingdom Richard Jones
Republic of Ireland Mark Galvin
156 DNF
Oil pressure
1985 C1 66 D EMKA C84/1
Aston Martin Tickford V8/90° 2v DOHC 5340cc
United Kingdom EMKA Productions Ltd. United Kingdom Tiff Needell
United Kingdom 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
Belgium East Belgian Racing Team Switzerland ”Nico”
Germany Wolf-Dieter Feuerlein
377 36th 4th

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Nick Faure (GB) - All Results - Racing Sports Cars". racingsportscars.com. Retrieved 2014-05-06.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 "About Me". Nickfaure.com. Retrieved 2014-05-05.
  3. "1969 BSCC". Touringcarracing.net. Retrieved 2014-05-05.
  4. "Brands Hatch 6 Hours 1977 - Race Results - Racing Sports Cars". racingsportscars.com. Retrieved 2014-05-06.
  5. "Spa 24 Hours 1989". Racing Sports Cars. 1989-07-23. Retrieved 2014-05-05.
  6. "RAC British Saloon Car Championship - 1969". Touringcarracing.net. Retrieved 2014-05-05.
  7. "World Sportscar Championship 1981 standings | Driver Database". Driverdb.com. Retrieved 2014-05-05.
  8. "Nick Faure (GB)'s cars - Photo Gallery". Racing Sports Cars. Retrieved 2014-05-05.