Exhibition Martini Racing until the 4th of MayThe Louwman Museum in Den Haag

presents from the 15th of February 2014 until the 4th of May 2014 a major exhibition of cars from the legendary Martini Racing team.

 

Martini Racing immediately conjures up a passion for motors, but also know-how, innovation and design; a brand, a team and a style that occupy a special place in the history of motor racing, not only for having created one of the first sponsorships in history and the unmistakeable car livery, but because in 45 years of history Martini Racing has dominated all the major car racing events, boasting a record breaking list of successes: from the challenging Endurance competitions to Formula 1, and from the gruelling Rallies to the DTM championship, the prime international touring car series.The history of Martini Racing officially began on the 27th December 1970 when, on the Hockenheim circuit in Germany, the official colours chosen to decorate the Porsche 917 cars destined for the 1971 World Sportscar Championship were unveiled: a serie of dark blue, light blue and red stripes on a silver background, a colour combination that would make motor racing history and leave an indelible mark on all major racing events. Even since then Martini Racing has been present alongside the famous names in racing: Porsche, Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, Lotus, Brabham, Lancia and Ford.

 

A look at the company’s history is ample proof of its success. The first significant victories came in the year of its official debut with Porsche: Martini Racing dominated the 12 hours of Sebring and, in particular, the 24 hour Le Mans race, the classic French endurance competition alone being worth as much as a world victory.The first world title dates from 1976 when the Porsch-Martini Racing team won both the Group 5 world championship (for series grand touring cars), and Group 6 for two-seater racing cars, in addition to the 24 Hour Le Mans, of course. Fans had to wait until 1982 to celebrate another world title, this time with the Lancia team when it returned to win the category with Beta Montecarlo Turbo.As for the Formula 1 title, there was nothing to be done against the huge power of the Ferrari, McLaren and Lotus teams which dominated the scene at the time. However in 2007/2008, Martini won two world constructor’s titles and one driver’s championship with Michael Schumacher.The category that has given Martini Racing the greatest satisfaction, however, is the rally. The Lancia-Martini Racing became synonymous with repeated victories and world titles won by the Delta, from the early 80s, with the success of the Lancia 037 in 1983 and 6 consecutive world titles won by the Delta, from 1987 to 1992 with Juha Kankunnen and Mika Biasion.Last but not least, important victories were achieved by the Alfa Romeo 155 in the DTM (1995/96) and in the Italian GT Championship.Cars on show.

 

The exhibition contents 5 endurance racers; Porsche RSR (1974), Porsche 935 (1977), Lancia Beta Montecarlo (1981), Lancia LC1 (1982), Lancia LC2 (1983-86), 2 Formula 1 cars; Techno PA 123/6 (1973) and Brabham Alfa (1976/77), 6 rally cars; Porsche 911 SC Safari (1978), Lancia 037 (1983), Lancia Delta S4 (1985/86), Lancia ECV2 (1988), Lancia Delta HF (1992), Fiat 500 (1993) and 2 touring class cars; Alfa Romeo 155 V6 (1995) and Porsche GT3 R (2013).

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Winning any race is cause for breaking out the best French wine or champagne from the wine rack. Winning a race as big as the 24 Hour Le Mans requires a trip to the wine cellar racks to find the rarest vintage available.