Porsche 962 WLM02: Walter Lechner's Interserie Champion

In the late 1980s, Walter Lechner was one of the dominant figures in Interserie racing. At the heart of his success was the Porsche 962-WLM02, a Thompson-built Group C machine that combined proven Porsche engineering with Lechner's relentless competitiveness. From its debut in 1987 to championship-winning campaigns and later successes with chassis 152, the story of the WLM cars is an often-overlooked chapter in Porsche 962 history.

 

The Porsche 962-WLM02, entered by Walter Lechner Racing School, first appeared at the Supercup  Nürburgring on 26 April 1987.
Walter Lechner entrusted Franz Konrad with driving duties.

The WLM02 featured regularly throughout the 1987 season in both Supercup and Interserie competition. On its debut at the Nürburgring Supercup meeting, the car finished sixth with Franz Konrad at the wheel. Earlier in the season, Lechner had retired at the Interserie opener at Hockenheim, while a planned appearance at AVUS ended in a non-start due to engine problems.

 

At the Norisring on 28 June, the car retired with driver fatigue recorded as the cause. One week later, the WLM02 appeared at Hockenheim before returning to Interserie action. Lechner finished second at Zeltweg on 12 July, fifth at Wunstorf on 2 August, third at Most on 16 August, and scored a notable victory at Siegerland on 23 August. Later in the year he added ninth place in the Nürburgring Supersprint and another second-place finish at the final Interserie round at Zeltweg in October. 

 

To conclude the season, Lechner travelled to South Africa for the Kyalami 500 km, sharing the car with Ernst Franzmaier. The pair finished fifth overall.

It was a strong season overall, and Walter Lechner went on to win the 1987 Interserie Championship.

In 1988, Lechner again competed in the Interserie Championship and the Supercup. Most records identify his car as the WLM02.

The WLM02 reappeared in 1989 for several events, including the Silverstone Supercup, where Lechner finished third overall, and the World Sports Prototype Championship race at Dijon, where he finished twelfth. Two victories and three second-place finishes secured him another Interserie crown.

 

Lechner also possessed a second Thompson-built Porsche 962, chassis 152, which was entered for the 1990 season. The car was driven to victory by Lechner in the Interserie rounds at Wunstorf and Brands Hatch. He ultimately finished the championship in second place.

 

Restored car: