Porsche Seeking Eighth Straight Win at Le Mans; Andrettis Will Start 3rd

Porsche will be seeking its eighth straight Le Mans 24 Hours victory this weekend, with the Andretti family--father, son and nephew--driving one of the factory cars.

Friday was an off-day at the track as teams prepared for the endurance race that begins this afternoon.

Factory Porsche 962s took the top three positions in the trials Wednesday and Thursday, with defending champion Hans Stuck of West Germany leading the way on the 8.41-mile circuit. Stuck covered a lap in 3 minutes 15.64 seconds, more than five seconds faster than last year’s qualifying mark of 3:21.09 set by Bob Wolleck.

Stuck averaged 155.48 m.p.h. on his lap and was clocked at 243 m.p.h. on the Hunaudieres straightaway.

Australian Vern Schuppan and American Mario Andretti, also in Porsche 962s, followed Stuck. Schuppan was timed in 3:18.62, averaging 153.28 m.p.h. Andretti was third in 3:21.77, at 150.75 m.p.h.

Andretti is driving with his son, Michael, and his nephew, John. Mario is trying to become the only driver besides Britain’s Graham Hill to win the Indianpolis 500, the Formula One driving championship and the Le Mans race. Andretti finished third in 1983 with Michael and Phillipe Alliot of France as teammates.

Jaguars were fourth and sixth in the trials, with Martin Brundle and Andy Wallace, both of Britain, driving.

Mercedes was to compete at Le Mans for the first time since 1955. But a tire blowout in Wednesday’s trials forced the company to withdraw.