Martini Racing.

[Ferry_vO]

Now that Martini makes a comeback in motor racing on the F1 Williams cars, it seems a good time to recap the history of Martini sponsoring in motor racing, and that's what the Louwman museum in The Hague did, together with the Alfa Romeo Museum, the Porsche Museum and other parties.

From left to right: Early Lancia 037, Lancia Delta S4 and a late 037 (With fuel injection):



Lancia Delta Integrale Evo:



Porsche 911 Safari (With bull bar, raised suspension, off road tires and air horns!):



Little Fiat 500 used as an entry-level rally car:

[Ferry_vO]

Lancia ECV2 prototype; this was to replace the S4 but the program was halted when group B was cancelled:





Alfa Romeo 155 V6 ITC touring car:



Porsche super cup 91 GT3R:

[Ferry_vO]

Lancia Beta Montecarlo Turbo:



Lancia LC1 (Front) and the LC2 behind it:





Brabham Alfa Romeo BT45 (Carlos Pace) and Tecno Alfa Romeo PA123/6 (Chris Amon):

[Ferry_vO]

Porsche 935:





And finally: The 911 RSR Turbo that came in second in the 1974 Le Mans race:

[Panther_99FS]

Some pleasant memories captured here - thanks!

[Ferry_vO]

Some pleasant memories captured here - thanks!

The only ones I have memories of are the Delta integrale rally car and the Alfa 155 V6 in the short-lived ITC and the DTM before that (Though they didn't have Martini sponsoring in that period IIRC).

New memories will be made this year though, with the return of Group C and Group 5 cars to Zandvoort in August!

Originally the Porsche museum was to send a 917 too (Most likely the #22 in which Helmut Marko and Gijs van Lennep set an all-time distance record in 1971 which was not broken until 2010. The RSR Turbo was a good replacement though.

[grunau_baby]

Great collection they host at the Louwmann museum, but the Martini Racing exhibition is simply great!!! Seeing the ECV and group B S4 is a unique experience for sure! Great pics and thanks for sharing!!!

Never mind those Porsches I would go for this amazingly cute little cinquecento in Martini trim. Must be a blast to drive...

Regards
Alex

[Ferry_vO]

I would go for this amazingly cute little cinquecento in Martini trim. Must be a blast to drive...

It wouldn't be my first pick from this line-up, but it would be the safest choice.. I would love to drive any of those! Oh well, at least I can drive a few of those in my race sims and dream a little...