Hoppen

[Mark Nelson <mnelson@brls.com>]

Hey All!

Can we please cut the Jo Hoppen crap.  I wasn't going to get involved
with this thread, since I was hoping it would die, but I'm sick of
hearing about him.  For those that aren't very educated on the history
of racing with Porsche and Audi, let me enlighten you with the little
bit I know about Jo Hoppen.

Jo was SPECIFICALLY responsible for John Buffum not being able to run
the WRC with the Audi team.  It was well known, but not spoken (at least
not publicly), that Buffum was a better driver than just about any of
the other WRC drivers, but Jo didn't want him to go over there, and beat
Audi's other factory drivers (can't have no yanks winning).  Anybody
ever wonder why no Americans run in the WRC??  How about the '86 Olympus
WRC rally in Washington state... Buffum was in a much older and less
powerful (450-500HP as opposed to 600HP) Sport Quattro (not an S1), and
STILL managed 3rd behind the Lancia Delta S4 and Peugeot!!  Consider the
fact that the factory Audi drivers did not do that well in the S1's
earlier in the year!!  Of course there was the fact that Hoppen didn't
help Buffum out much either, as far as support.  I've heard
miscellaneous horror stories about Jo Hoppen during the Trans Am and
IMSA days as well.

Now here's what I have found out, as far as Porsche is concerned, the
support given to racers pre-Hoppen, was incredibly good.  When Hoppen
came around, everything changed.  For instance, there were several
people, including my dad, who were racing 911's around 20 years ago.
During that time the 924 came out, and everyone was wondering who was
going to start racing one.  Well, during a race, a new 924 showed up.
It turns out Jo Hoppen GAVE the car to Doc Bundy who was a Nissan
driver!!  The people that had Porsches, and had been Porsche loyal for
years, including my dad and Dennis Asse were exceedingly pissed, and
went over and confronted Jo Hoppen.  Jo had the most arrogant attitude,
so Dennis Asse had stickers made that said "F*** Jo Hoppen" (no the
asterisks were there on the stickers), and ALL of the Porsche drivers
put them on the back of their cars.

>From anyone that has actually had to deal with the guy while he was head
of racing, they will be more than happy to tell you what they think of
Jo Hoppen...they aren't going to be nice words.  There are many other
people that work on Audis that are much more likable and helping people
(i.e. Bruno, Buffum, etc.)...Jo doesn't seem to be one of them.  Before
you think I'm full of it, after you've talked to him, just think about
this...Jo owns his own business and is there to MAKE MONEY, so of course
he's going to be nice to you.  I personally don't care what you do,
because after all...it's you money, but I think this ideology of Jo
Hoppen just being a wonderful person to deal with, needs to be
addressed.

cya!

-Mark Nelson
'90 s2 (building for scca pro rally)
'85 4ktq (looks much better with those 16's =)