Rather than give up after a difficult start in Endurance racing, Repsol decided to ensure that 1989 was different. The company increased its backing for the team, making it the Repsol Brun Motorsport outfit. The cars would run a blue livery, and the team structure was improved in search of a successful season.
Walter Brun, the owner and driver of the team, became Jesús Pareja’s regular teammate, foresaking the Pareja– Larrauri duo. Repsol also decided to provide support for Spanish driver Fermin Velez, who returned to the discipline after a season in Formula 3000. Velez would drive for the Chamberlain Engineering team, with a, Spice Cosworth in the C2 class of the series.
The season began at Suzuka in Japan. Pareja was debuting the new Porsche 962 with revised aerodynamics –something which impeded the team’s success in the race. The engine also had fuel pressure issues, and the team would only qualify 18th for the race. In a more positive result, Fermin Velez easily won the C2 race.
Back in Europe, ahead of the second race of the year at Dijon, practices were held at the circuit. Repsol Brun received a special visit from Carlos Sainz, who wished to test out the Porsche ahead of a possible 24 Hours of Le Mans drive. Immediately fast, he gave much to talk about to the regular drivers, but would eventually decide against participation in the legendary Endurance race.
At the Dijon event, serious tyre issues prevented a good race for the team. They placed down in thirteenth, two places behind C2 winner Vélez.
The Jarama race was more successful. Vélez took win number three in the smaller class, whilst Pareja was reunited with Larrauri for a third place finish –Repsol’s first podium in the discipline.
Things would go less positively at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, however, Brun had entered two cars with Spanish drivers, as he would share a drive with Pareja and Larrarui whilst Andres Vilarino would debut with Seher and Konrad. Velez would also participate, driving his Spice. None of the three would finish the race, although they performed at a very high level. Velez led his class until his engine broke, Pareja would miss out on third when another engine issue would hit his Porsche, and Vilarino would have a discreet showing.
The 24 Hours of Le Mans would not count towards the world championship, due to a disagreement between the organisers and the FISA.
Brands Hatch and Nurburgring brought two good results for the Repsol team: Pareja–Brun placed sixth and fourth, respectively, with Pareja sixth in the series. Velez would win at Brands Hatch and retire at Nurburgring.
The next two races, at Donington and Spa, were disappointing. Pareja and Brun both retired with engine issues, and in Spa the pain was amplified by the fact that Pareja had clawed his way up to fifth, before retiring five laps from the end. Third and second at those events, Velez would win the FIA Cup C2 title after his result at Spa.
The final race of the campaign, held in Mexico, demonstrated that Pareja was a top driver when his Porsche 962 allowed it. He was seventh, taking him to eighth in the overall standings. Velez entered the big class, and was up into the top ten before being taken out by future winner Jochen Mass. Repsol Brun Motorsport were third in the team standings.
