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.
Dale Kistemaker (c) 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 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.
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