Born : March 19 1943
Biography Vern Schuppan
Vern Schuppan was born in South Australia. Schuppan’s father ran a car dealership. Obviously in his childhood, he grew up around cars and became passionate about them His father allowed Vern to take the steering wheel of the family car while he sat on his lap. Schuppan’s interest in motorsport awoke. First sparks were ignited by his visits to the Rowley Park Speedway. But the real passion arose in 1955 during a family visit to Port Wakefield to watch an Australian grand prix. Vern Schuppans father prevented him from starting racing. So it was only in his late teens that Schuppan set his first step in the motorsports world by racing carts.
Vern Schuppan – Carting ©unknown First steps in motorsports
Soon Vern Schuppan was the carting champion of South Australia. In 1965, Schuppan undertook a working holiday, travelling around the world. That was the first time he went to Goodwood. He did some overseas racing before returning to Australia to marry his fiance. That was the time he decided to give racing a proper go for a year or two. Vern Schuppan and his wife Jennifer. In just a few years ,Vern Schuppan maid it to Formula 1. Even though Vern Schuppan spent most of his active race-career in one seaters, his main sportive success was in the sports car racing.
Vern Schuppan and Le Mans 24H
In 1973, while he was still active in Formula 1, Schuppan started in the Le Mans 24H in a Mirage. However, that was no success. A DNF was the result, just as in 1974. At his 3rd attempt at the Le Mans 24H, Vern Schuppan climbed the podium. He shared the wheel of a Mirage GR8 Cosworth with Jean-Pierre Jaussaud and finished 3rd overall. From 1981 onwards, Vern Schuppan raced different Porsches at the most difficult race of the world. In his first race with Porsche, Schuppan shared the wheel of a Porsche 936 Hurley Haywood Jochen Mass . They finished 2nd in class and 12th overall. One year later, Schuppan teamed up with Jochen Mass
Race Team Spa 1984, 02.09.1984 1000 km Spa; Rennteam v.l.n.r.: Stefan Bellof , Derek Bell, Jochen Mass, Jacky Ickx , Vern Schuppan und John Watson | © Porsche AG In 1983, Schupan achieved his major result in motorsports. In a Rothmans Porsche 956, Vern Schuppan, Hurley Haywood and Al Holbert beated the competition and won the Le Mans 24H. Schuppan created history, as he was the 1st Australian to win the Le Mans 24H. Most of the later attempts in the 24h endurance race were less succesful. From 1984 to 1989, Schuppan only managed to finish 1 time. In 1984 a 6th place was his part.
Nowadays, Vern Schuppan is long retiredfrom racing; He is still living in South Australia, abd now spends his time with family and still enjoys his cars.
Vern Schuppan Race Results in Porsche
Year: 1976
Date Race No. Car Drivers Entrant Result 27.6.1976 6 h Zeltweg 2 Porsche 935 Bell / Schuppan Porsche Kremer Racing 4th
Year: 1981
Date Race No. Car Drivers Entrant Result 14.6.1981 24 h Le Mans 12 Porsche 936 Mass / Schuppan / Haywood Porsche System 12th
Year: 1982
Date Race No. Car Drivers Entrant Result 25.4.1982 6 h Riverside 12 Porsche 935 Busby / Schuppan John Fitzpatrick Racing 37th 30.5.1982 1000 km Nürburgring Porsche 935 Stommelen / Grohs / Schuppan Kremer Racing DNA 20.6.1982 24 h Le Mans 2 Porsche 956 Mass / Schuppan Porsche System 2nd 20.6.1982 24 h Le Mans T Porsche 956 Ickx / Bell / Mass / Schuppan / Holbert / Haywood / Barth Porsche System T-car 22.8.1982 500 mile Road America 12 Porsche 935 Busby / Schuppan John Fitzpatrick Racing DNA 5.9.1982 1000 km Spa 2 Porsche 956 Bell / Schuppan Rothmans Porsche Team 2nd 3.10.1982 6 h Fuji 2 Porsche 956 Bell / Schuppan Rothmans Porsche DNF 6.11.1982 9 h Kyalami 4 Porsche 956 Bell / Schuppan Rothmans 2nd
Year: 1983
Date Race No. Car Drivers Entrant Result 3.4.1983 500 km Suzuka 1 Porsche 956 Fujita / Schuppan Trust Racing Team 1st 8.5.1983 1000 km Silverstone 21 Porsche 956 Jones / Schuppan Porsche Kremer Racing 5th 5.6.1983 500 km Fuji 6 Porsche 956 Fujita / Schuppan Trust Racing Team 1st 19.6.1983 24 h Le Mans 2 Porsche 956 In entry list only Rothmans Porsche DNF 19.6.1983 24 h Le Mans 3 Porsche 956 Schuppan / Holbert / Haywood Rothmans Porsche 1st 19.6.1983 24 h Le Mans 33 Porsche 956 Ickx / Bell / Schuppan / Barth Rothmans Porsche T-car 24.7.1983 1000 km Fuji 6 Porsche 956 Fujita / Schuppan Trust Racing Team 1st 28.8.1983 1000 km Suzuka 1 Porsche 956 Fujita / Schuppan Trust Racing Team 1st 2.10.1983 1000 km Fuji 6 Porsche 956 Schuppan / Fujita Trust Racing Team 3rd 27.11.1983 500 mile Fuji 6 Porsche 956 Fujita / Schuppan Trust Racing Team 1st 10.12.1983 1000 km Kyalami 3 Porsche 956 Holbert / Schuppan Porsche/Rothmans DNF
Year: 1984
Date Race No. Car Drivers Entrant Result 1.4.1984 500 km Suzuka 1 Porsche 956 Schuppan / Katayama Trust Racing Team 1st 13.5.1984 1000 km Silverstone 19 Porsche 956 Brun / Schuppan Brun Motorsport GmbH 11th 3.6.1984 500 km Fuji 1 Porsche 956 Schuppan / Katayama Trust Racing Team DNF 17.6.1984 24 h Le Mans 11 Porsche 956 Schuppan / Jones / Jarier Porsche Kremer Racing 6th 17.6.1984 24 h Le Mans 17 Porsche 956 In entry list only Porsche Kremer Racing 9th 15.7.1984 1000 km Nürburgring 16 Porsche 956 Schuppan / Danner GTi Engineering DNS 29.7.1984 1000 km Fuji 1 Porsche 956 Schuppan / Katayama Trust Racing Team 2nd 5.8.1984 1000 km Mosport 3 Porsche 956 Schuppan / Mason Rothmans NC 30.8.1984 1000 km Suzuka 1 Porsche 956 Schuppan / Katayama Trust Racing Team 2nd 2.9.1984 1000 km Spa 3 Porsche 956 Schuppan / Watson Rothmans Porsche 6th 30.9.1984 1000 km Fuji 60 Porsche 956 Stuck / Schuppan Trust Racing Team 3rd 25.11.1984 500 mile Fuji 1 Porsche 956 Schuppan / Katayama Trust Racing Team 1st 2.12.1984 1000 km Sandown Park 3 Porsche 956 Jones / Schuppan Rothmans Porsche 8th
Year: 1985
Date Race No. Car Drivers Entrant Result 7.4.1985 500 km Suzuka 1 Porsche 956 Schuppan / Suzuki Trust Racing Team 4th 5.5.1985 1000 km Fuji 1 Porsche 956 Schuppan / Suzuki Trust Racing Team 1st 12.5.1985 1000 km Silverstone 69 Porsche 956 Schuppan / Weaver Richard Lloyd Racing with Porsche T-car 12.5.1985 1000 km Silverstone 69T Porsche 956 Schuppan / Weaver Richard Lloyd Racing with Porsche DNF 16.6.1985 24 h Le Mans 3 Porsche 962 Holbert / Watson / Schuppan Rothmans-Porsche DNF 16.6.1985 24 h Le Mans 111 Porsche 956 Stuck / Bell / Schuppan / Holbert Rothmans-Porsche T-car 28.7.1985 500 mile Fuji 1 Porsche 956 Schuppan / Suzuki Trust Racing Team DNF 25.8.1985 1000 km Suzuka 1 Porsche 956 Schuppan / Suzuki Trust Racing Team 4th 8.9.1985 Tourist Trophy 30 Colt Starion Brodie / Schuppan Mitsubishi Colt Racing 5th 22.9.1985 1000 km Brands Hatch 3 Porsche 956 Schuppan / Holbert Rothmans Porsche 5th 29.9.1985 500 km Watkins Glen 40 Chevrolet Corvette GTP Hobbs / Schuppan Hendricks Motorsports 35th 6.10.1985 1000 km Fuji 60 Porsche 956 Schuppan Trust Racing Team 6th 24.11.1985 500 km Fuji 1 Porsche 956 Schuppan / Suzuki / Fouché Trust Racing Team 6th 1.12.1985 800 km Selangor 1T Porsche 962 Mass / Ickx / Schuppan / Weaver / Stuck / Bell Rothmans Porsche T-car 1.12.1985 800 km Selangor 69 Porsche 956 Schuppan / Weaver Rothmans Porsche 3rd
Year: 1986
Date Race No. Car Drivers Entrant Result 2.2.1986 24 h Daytona 04 Jaguar XJR-7 Schuppan / Redman / Haywood Group 44 24th 22.3.1986 12 h Sebring 04 Jaguar XJR-7 Redman / Schuppan / Haywood Group 44 44th 6.4.1986 500 km Suzuka 7 Porsche 956 Schuppan / Fouché Trust Racing Team 5th 4.5.1986 1000 km Fuji 7 Porsche 956 Schuppan / Suzuki / Fouché Trust Racing Team DNF 1.6.1986 24 h Le Mans 2 Porsche 962 Wollek / Mass / Schuppan Rothmans Porsche DNF 1.6.1986 24 h Le Mans 3 Porsche 962 Schuppan / Olson Rothmans Porsche DNF 20.7.1986 500 mile Fuji 7 Porsche 956 Schuppan / Suzuki / Fouché Trust Racing Team 1st 24.8.1986 1000 km Suzuka 7 Porsche 956 Schuppan / Suzuki / Fouché Trust Racing Team DQ 15.9.1986 1000 km Spa 8 Porsche 956 “Winter” / Schuppan / Nissen Joest Racing 8th 5.10.1986 1000 km Fuji 60 Porsche 956 Schuppan / Fouché / Suzuki Trust Racing Team 6th 23.11.1986 500 km Fuji 7 Porsche 956 Schuppan / Suzuki Trust Racing Team 1st
Year: 1987
Date Race No. Car Drivers Entrant Result 1.2.1987 24 h Daytona 16 Porsche 962 Cobb / Dyson / Schuppan Dyson Racing 3rd 1.3.1987 3 h Miami 5 Porsche 962 Weaver / Schuppan Bob Akin Motoracing 26th 21.3.1987 12 h Sebring 16 Porsche 962 Cobb / Schuppan Dyson Racing 47th 12.4.1987 500 km Suzuka 100 Porsche 962 Schuppan / Suzuki Trust Racing Team 10th 3.5.1987 1000 km Fuji 100 Porsche 962 Schuppan / Suzuki Trust Racing Team 2nd 14.6.1987 24 h Le Mans 18 Porsche 962 Wollek / Mass / Schuppan Porsche AG DNF 14.6.1987 24 h Le Mans 19 Porsche 962 Schuppan / Nierop Porsche AG DNS 5.7.1987 500 km Watkins Glen 16 Porsche 962 Cobb / Schuppan Dyson Racing 1st 19.7.1987 500 mile Fuji 100 Porsche 962 Schuppan / Suzuki Trust Racing Team 2nd 16.8.1987 500 mile Road America 5 Porsche 962 Weaver / Schuppan Bob Akin Motor Racing 5th 23.8.1987 1000 km Suzuka 100 Porsche 962 Schuppan / Suzuki / Weaver Trust Racing Team DNF 27.9.1987 1000 km Fuji 100 Porsche 962 Schuppan / Suzuki / Weaver Trust Racing Team 10th 29.11.1987 500 km Fuji 100 Porsche 962 Schuppan / Suzuki Trust Racing Team 3rd
Year: 1988
Date Race No. Car Drivers Entrant Result 31.1.1988 24 h Daytona 16 Porsche 962 Cobb / Weaver / Dyson / Schuppan Dyson Racing 9th 3.3.1988 500 km Fuji 100 Porsche 962 Schuppan / Fouché Trust Racing Team DNF 10.4.1988 500 km Suzuka 100 Porsche 962 Schuppan / Fouché Trust Racing Team 2nd 1.5.1988 1000 km Fuji 100 Porsche 962 Schuppan / Fouché Trust Racing Team DNF 12.6.1988 24 h Le Mans 18 Porsche 962 Wollek / Schuppan / van der Merwe Porsche AG DNF 24.7.1988 500 mile Fuji 100 Porsche 962 Schuppan / Fouché Trust Racing Team DNF 28.8.1988 1000 km Suzuka 100 Porsche 962 Schuppan / Fouché Trust Racing Team 15th 9.10.1988 1000 km Fuji 100 Porsche 962 Fouché / Schuppan / van der Merwe Trust Racing Team 10th 9.10.1988 1000 km Fuji 100T Porsche 962 Schuppan / Fouché / van der Merwe Trust Racing Team T-car
Year: 1989
Date Race No. Car Drivers Entrant Result 12.3.1989 500 km Fuji 55 Porsche 962 Schuppan / Elgh / Matsumoto Omron Racing Team 2nd 9.4.1989 480 km Suzuka 55 Porsche 962 Schuppan / Elgh Team Davey (Omron Racing Team) 12th 30.4.1989 1000 km Fuji 55 Porsche 962 Schuppan / Elgh / Matsumoto Omron Racing Team 1st 11.6.1989 24 h Le Mans 55 Porsche 962 Schuppan / Elgh / Brabham Team Schuppan 13th 23.7.1989 500 mile Fuji 55 Porsche 962 Schuppan / Elgh Omron Racing Team DNF 17.9.1989 480 km Spa 20 Porsche 962 Schuppan / Lee-Davey Team Davey DNF 8.10.1989 1000 km Fuji 55 Porsche 962 Schuppan / Elgh Omron Racing Team 3rd 3.12.1989 1000 km Suzuka 55 Porsche 962 Elgh / Schuppan Omron Racing Team DNF
Year: 1990
Date Race No. Car Drivers Entrant Result 4.2.1990 24 h Daytona 16 Porsche 962 Dyson / *Schuppan Dyson Racing 55th 11.3.1990 500 km Fuji 55 Porsche 962 Elgh / Schuppan Omron Racing Team 11th 3.4.1990 1000 km Fuji 55 Porsche 962 Schuppan / Elgh / Mezera Omron Racing Team NC 8.4.1990 480 km Suzuka 19 Porsche 962 Elgh / Schuppan Team Davey (Omron Racing Team) 9th 17.6.1990 24 h Le Mans 33 Porsche 962 In entry list only Team Schuppan 12th 17.6.1990 24 h Le Mans 55 Porsche 962 In entry list only Team Schuppan 15th 22.7.1990 500 mile Fuji 55 Porsche 962 Schuppan / Elgh / Mezera Omron Racing Team DNS 26.8.1990 1000 km Suzuka 55 Porsche 962 Elgh / Mezera / *Schuppan Omron Racing Team 11th
Year: 1991
Date Race No. Car Drivers Entrant Result 23.6.1991 24 h Le Mans 52 Porsche 962 In entry list only Team Salamin Primagaz (Team Schuppan) DNF 23.6.1991 2 4 h Le Mans 53 Porsche 962 In entry list only Team Salamin Primagaz (Team Schuppan) T-car
Year: 1992
Date Race No. Car Drivers Entrant Result 5.1.1992 Daytona Test 53 Porsche 962 Ratzenberger / Schuppan / Elgh / Haywood Team Schuppan DNA 2.2.1992 24 h Daytona 52 Porsche 962 Ratzenberger / Haywood / Elgh / Brayton / *Schuppan Team 0123 3rd
Race results courtesy Racing Sports Cars
