Video: Porsche 962 v Jaguar XJR-9 at Daytona '89
"We're really being spoiled by the racing" says the commentator as the clock on the 1989 Daytona 24 hours counts down toward the finish. Indeed the race had boiled down to one pit stop – could the leading Porsche 962 of Bob Wollek, Derek Bell and John Andretti get in and out in time?
We won't ruin the result of this video, but we can provide you with some background as to why the '89 Daytona 24 was so awesome. The Miller High Life sponsored Porsche had started all the way back in 12th, after a poor qualifying session. After making its way to the front the 962 and chasing Jaguar XJR-9 (which itself had started 7th) appeared to be connected by a bungee chord, rarely off the same lap and moving up the leader board consistently together, setting up a titanic battle for victory.
But it's not just that that makes us love the video above. It's the sight of those awesome GTP, GTO and GTU cars battling on the banks of Daytona. It sounds awesome and takes us back to the days when sportscar racing's top level took in the Florida classic every year.
With 2017 seeing the birth of brand new DPi cars, backed by some of North America's major manufacturers, can this year's 24 live up to the epics of the past?
Daytona 24 Hours
Porsche
962
Jaguar
XJR-9
Historic
The hardest race of Martin Brundle’s career – the 1988 Daytona 24 Hours
Historic
Video: Porsche 962 and Jaguar XJR-16: the perfect two-car garage?
Goodwood SpeedWeek
This Jaguar XJR-12 is the most successful Group C car
