Vern Schuppan

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. 

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 with Hurley Haywood and Jochen Mass. They finished 2nd in class and 12th overall.  One year later, Schuppan teamed up with Jochen Mass again. They finished 2nd in class and 2nd overall in a Porsche 956.

 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	24 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