FASTIME
“
...as it’s a limited edition watch it’s special to have number 83 matching the year I won at Le Mans.” Vern Schuppen
Porsche, the Porsche 956, specially built for that event. People often referred to these as “Rothmans Porches” – it is slightly jarring now, but at the time cigarette sponsorships were the norm.
An Australian by birth, Schuppen spent much of his career based in the UK – both his children were born here – and was recognised for his achievements with the
Right, top to bottom: Vern Schuppen driving the winning Rothman’s Porsche at the 1983 event; Vern today enjoying
retirement in Australia and Portugal; Vern’s Aston Martin DB2
award of the Member of the Order of Australia by the Queen in 1983. He was a South Australian state karting champion while still a
teenager, and moved to London in 1969 when he was 26, determined to become a Formula 1 racing driver. This he achieved in 1972 at the Oulton Park Gold Cup driving a BRM 153, taking 5th
place.
Although now in his late sixties and retired – splitting his time between Australia and Portugal – Schuppen remains part of the racing circuit. He says: “I’m invited to race occasionally in historic events like Goodwood, Le Mans and at racing event anniversaries. “A number of retired drivers get invited to participate in these events – a bit like in golf and tennis. It is a great reunion with old racing pals and colleagues. I call it social racing – however we still want to beat each other!” Following his retirement from racing, which also took in a stint running his own team on the Japanese competition circuit, Schuppen moved into racing car design and build. At one point he employed 80 people in a 60,000sq ft plant in High Wycombe, Bucks, strangely situated very close to Christopher Ward’s Maidenhead headquarters. He had become a keen collector of classic cars – including a 1950 Aston Martin DB2. And this is where Christopher Ward comes in. The recently launched C70 DBR1 is Christopher Ward London’s accolade to Aston Martin’s 1959 Le Mans winning DBR1. As it is a limited edition of 500 pieces, customers are able to choose which number they want, while still available. For Schuppen, number 83 of the C70 DBR1 limited edition connects his Le Mans win in 1983 with his own love of Aston Martin cars. Schuppen discovered the Christopher Ward London collections through a contact that supplies custom number plates. He says: “A guy in the UK who makes nice custom number plates and was in the process of making some for my Aston, thought I might be interested in the C70 DBR1 and emailed the information to me.” He went ahead and ordered number 83. “And I do love the
watch,” Schuppen says. “The design and colours are wonderful, and I love the leather band and the way it clips shut. It looks really great. And as it’s a limited edition watch it’s special to have number 83 matching the year I won at Le Mans.”
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www.christopherward.co.uk
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