Jacky Ickx and Jochen Mass were hired by Porsche in 1976 as the primary drivers in both the 935 and 936! This led to a very demanding schedule, but one which the duo was ready to face.
Ickx and Mass scored victories in the 6-Hour season opener at Mugello and the subsequent Vallelunga 6 Hours. The 935 didn't just win these races -- it dominated! The organizing body soon declared the Porsche air-air intercooler to be illegal in its placement and so Porsche was forced to relocate it. In doing so, they had no choice but to adopt a heavier and more complicated water-air intercooler.
Teething pains resulted in DNFs at the Nürburgring 1000km and Zeltweg 6-Hours. At Watkins Glen, driving the fastest car in the event (174.9mph on the back straight), Mass/Ickx were delayed in the pits with seized rear brakes. They eventually regained third while teammates Shurti/Stommelen earned a victory.
The Championship battle still came down to the final 6-Hour race at Dijon where Ickx and Mass scored a decisive victory in car #1. The third place that Schurti and Stommelen earned, driving car #3, provided the critical points that secured the World Championship for Porsche!
