Between 1964 and 1971, Rudi Lins started at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Targa Florio in Sicily. He won the European Hill Climb Championship for sports cars in a Porsche Carrera 6. On 28 June 2024, the former works driver turns 80.
Michael Steiner, Member of the Executive Board for Research and Development, wishes “All the best to Rudi Lins on his big birthday and thank you for his many, many races for Porsche. We look back fondly on his time as a works driver, when he successfully piloted the Porsche Carrera 6 in the sixties.”
Rudi Lins was born on 28 June 1944 in Bludenz in Vorarlberg, Austria. He grew up with a passion for sports cars. His father had an authorised VW workshop in his home town and was one of the first Porsche dealers in the country. After training to become a car mechanic, Rudi worked in the family business. Lins started his career as a racing driver at the Austrian hill climb race Axamer Lizum in a Porsche 356 S. While still only in his early twenties, he became the 1965 Austrian national champion. In the next three years, he secured the title of Austrian hill climb champion. Lins celebrated his greatest triumph in 1967 when he won the European Hill Climb Championship for sports cars in a Porsche Carrera 6. The next year, he took second place. Decades later, Lins still raves about the lightweight car with its tubular frame and plastic body.
21 March 1970: Hans Herrmann and Rudi Lins in a 917 KH at the 12-hour race in Sebring.
In the seventies, together with Hans Herrmann, Lins started at various endurance races for Porsche Salzburg KG in a Porsche 917. After taking part in the 1000 km Zeltweg in June 1971 in a 911 S, Lins concluded his motor sport career. The water and winter sports enthusiast spent the next few years travelling, and in the mid-seventies he took over the family dealership.
Since his retirement, Rudi Lins has been involved with the Porsche Heritage and Museum team as a witness and interview partner. He has also taken part in the occasional vintage car rally.
