Insight Card : Argo JM19 No.89 Le Mans 1986
Driven by Martin Schanche, Torgjer Kleppe, and Martin Birrane, the Argo JM19 No. 89, competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans on May 31–June 1, 1986, entered by Martin Schanche Racing in the Group C2 class.
The Argo JM19 was a Group C2 sports-prototype designed by Jo Marquart and Nick Jordan of Anglian Cars Ltd., introduced in 1986 as a successor to the successful JM16. Built for privateer teams in Group C2 and IMSA GTP Lights, it was versatile and lightweight. Key specifications for the No. 89:
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Chassis: Aluminum honeycomb monocoque with steel subframes, weighing ~750–800 kg, meeting C2’s minimum weight. Chassis number JM19-110, per race records.
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Engine: Zakspeed 1.8-litre inline-4 turbo, producing ~500–550 bhp. The compact, Formula 1-derived engine was powerful but prone to reliability issues under endurance conditions.
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Transmission: Five-speed manual.
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Aerodynamics: Low-drag bodywork designed with Achim Storz, optimized for Le Mans’ Hunaudières Straight, achieving a top speed of 301 km/h (187 mph). Its frontal radiators, however, caused overheating issues due to hot coolant lines.
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Tyres: Goodyear, standard for Schanche’s entry.
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Design: The JM19 was adaptable, with later variants (JM19B, JM19C, JM19D) using engines like Cosworth DFL, Mazda rotary, and Motori Moderni. The No. 89’s Zakspeed setup prioritized speed over durability.
Drivers
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Martin Schanche (Norway, age 41): Known as “Mister Rallycross,” Schanche was a six-time European Rallycross Champion (1978–1995) with an aggressive style, earning the nickname “Villmannen fra Tana” (Wild Man from Tana). His Le Mans debut in 1986 followed a 1985 World Endurance Championship stint (Strandell Porsche, DNFs). Schanche’s rallycross fame didn’t translate to endurance racing success, but his speed was notable.
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Torgjer Kleppe (Norway, age 33): A Le Mans debutant, Kleppe had limited racing pedigree, likely a co-driver selected for loyalty or funding. Little is known about his career beyond this entry.
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Martin Birrane (Ireland, age 50): A veteran privateer with eight Le Mans appearances (1973–1986), Birrane was a pay-driver and team owner (ADA Engineering). His experience included driving Lolas, Chevrons, and Porsches, with a best finish of 9th overall (1980, Lola T380). Birrane later owned Mondello Park and Lola Cars (1997–2012).
Martin Schanche Racing
Martin Schanche Racing was a Norwegian privateer team led by rallycross legend Martin Schanche, who purchased the JM19 to compete in the 1986 World Sports-Prototype Championship. Sponsored by Lucky Strike, the team aimed to leverage Schanche’s aggressive driving and the JM19’s speed. The No. 89 was their sole Le Mans entry, prepared with limited resources compared to factory teams like Porsche and Jaguar.
