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Flying Lizard Returns for 9th Consecutive ALMS Season
February 06, 2012 – Sonoma, Calif. – Flying Lizard Motorsports announced its driver lineup for the 2012 Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring.
The team will field two new racecars in the GT class for the ALMS season: the No. 45 and No. 44 2012 Porsche 911 GT3 RSRs. Joerg Bergmeister and Patrick Long, both Porsche factory drivers, will return for their fourth consecutive season driving together in the No. 45; this will be Bergmeister’s fifth year with the team.
Bergmeister is a five- time ALMS GT drivers’ champion (2005-2006 and 2008-2010). The 2008, 2009 and 2010 championships were won with Flying Lizard in the No. 45. Long has won the title three times: 2005, and 2009-2010, each with Bergmeister.
At Sebring, the pair will be joined by Porsche factory driver Marco Holzer. 2012 will be Holzer’s second year with the team. After Sebring, Holzer will return to his regular seat in the sister No. 44 Porsche for the season.
2011 12 Hours of Sebring
For Sebring, in the No. 44, Seth Neiman will be joined by Darren Law and Andy Lally. Law has driven with the Lizards since 2004 and will return as a guest driver in 2012.
Darren Law
Sebring will be Lally’s first race with the team.Andy Lally
Lally heads to Sebring following a GT win last week at the 2012 Rolex 24 At Daytona (with Magnus Racing). 2012 is Lally’s fourth GT win at the Rolex 24 At Daytona. Among his notable achievements in endurance racing and stock car racing, Lally was named NASCAR Sprint Cup Rookie of the Year for 2011. Click here for more information on Lally.
Thomas Blam, Flying Lizard Chief Strategist said,
“Marco Holzer has proven to be a highly consistent driver; he contributed a great deal to our 2011 program. He will be a very solid addition to Joerg and Patrick in the No. 45 for Sebring. In the No. 44, we have an All-American lineup with Seth, Darren and Andy. This will be Andy’s first time driving with the Lizards but he has a proven performance record in Porsches and brings a wide breadth of endurance racing experience.”
The new Porsches will have their inaugural run at the ALMS Sebring Winter test this week: February 8 and 9 in Sebring, Florida.
Developments to the RSR for 2012 include a wider body, increased front tire diameter and wider front and rear track width. Porsche has also modified the bodywork to optimize aerodynamics and added new air intake ducts to the rear quarter panel.
The Porsche 911 GT3 RSR is powered by a six-cylinder boxer engine with a four-litre capacity. Click here for details.
About Flying Lizard Motorsports
Flying Lizard returns to the American Le Mans Series for their ninth season and the fourth consecutive season for Bergmeister and Long together in the No. 45.
The Lizards have won two ALMS GT team championships (2008 and 2009) and have finished in the top three each year since 2004.
The team has secured three ALMS GT drivers’ championships: Bergmeister and Long took the title together in 2009 and 2010 and Bergmeister with Wolf Henzler in 2008. Bergmeister is five-time ALMS GT drivers’ champion (2005-2006 and 2008-2010) and Long has won the title three times (2005, and 2009-2010), all with Bergmeister.
Bergmeister is the only driver in Grand-Am and ALMS history to win the championship in both series in the same year (2006).
Flying Lizard has also competed in the 24 Heures du Mans from 2005 through 2011, finishing third in 2005, fourth in 2006, sixth in 2008, and sixth in 2011.
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (February 6, 2012) – Gooding and Company, the acclaimed auction house celebrated for selling the world’s most significant and valuable collector cars, is honored to announce its recent consignment of the Drendel Family Collection of 18 Porsches.
Recognized as the world’s finest private collection of its kind, the Drendel Family Collection consists of both road and race cars spanning 25 years of Porsche history from 1973 – 1997. With 10 of the 18 lots being offered without reserve, the arrival of this extraordinary collection in Amelia Island offers collectors and Porsche enthusiasts around the world the opportunity to own a piece of Porsche’s winning motorsport heritage.
1984-Porsche-962
In addition, the March auction marks the first time many of these historically-important racing stars will have ever been presented at auction. Gooding & Company has moved the start time of its Amelia Island Auction to 11 a.m. on Friday, March 9th to accommodate the extensive 18-car collection, as well as to accommodate the schedules of its guests at the daytime auction.
“The result of well-developed connoisseurship and deep passion, Matthew Drendel built what has become the world’s most significant private collection of turbocharged Porsches,” says David Gooding, President and founder of Gooding & Company.
“It’s a very rare occurrence when a refined, single-marque collection of high-quality road and race cars is offered to the public.
We feel privileged to have been selected to present the Drendel Family Collection in Amelia Island.”
A Passion for Porsche Matthew Drendel was attracted to Porsche automobiles from an early age. Although his personal racing successes were primarily associated with normally-aspirated 911 Cup cars, it was the legendary turbocharged Porsches that most interested him as a collector.
His collection began with a single 930 road car and later expanded to the 18 magnificent cars it is today.
Heritage Motorwerks was founded by Porsche collector, Matthew Drendel. Four of Matthew Drendel’s Porsches were used in filming of the Porsche “Family Tree” video commercial for the Pananmera… the baby turbo, 962 Lowenbrau, the GT 1 and the 917-30 that Matt drove in the PorschePanamera “Family Tree” commercial.
Extended version of the Porsche Panamera – Porsche Family Tree CommercialVideo
“Matthew Drendel maintained a reputation for collecting the very best cars and, therefore, has always been respected in the Porsche community,” says Gooding & Company Specialist David Brynan.
“The overall scope of the collection and focus on factory team cars reflect his tremendous dedication and knowledge of the marque.”
Matthew Clayton Drendel was 35 and died quickly of a stomach aneurysm on November 24, 2010. The Drendel family is highly regarded in the Porsche community and has contributed a great amount to the quality of life here.
______________________________________________________________________ Detailed below are seven of the most significant collector cars being offered as part of the Drendel Family
The Porsche 917 racing program was one of the most successful in the history of motor sport and the 973 917/30 Can-Am Spyder represents its pinnacle. With a 1,000 hp turbocharged flat-twelve, American racing champion Mark Donohue’s 917/30 was so dominant that the Can Am Challenge Cup was disbanded and the other manufacturers withdrew due to their inability to compete. One of four examples completed at the Porsche factory, 004 was intended to be the 1974 Penske-Sunoco team car but was instead sold to Australian Porsche Importer Alan Hamilton. Later purchased by the Porsche factory, this car is now the centerpiece of the Drendel Family Collection. Meticulously restored and presented in the iconic Penske-Sunoco livery, this 917/30 has been raced at the Monterey Historics and has been displayed at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance and Rennsport Reunion.
According to Gooding & Company specialists, this car is the finest example of the Porsche 962 and one of the most successful racing cars of its generation. With only two owners from new, this back-to-back 24 Hours of Daytona winner will be one of the Drendel Family Collection’s most significant offerings at the auction with its immediately recognizable Löwenbräu livery, list of legendary drivers, unrivalled racing record and superb documentation.
Rennsport II HR1 Porsche 962
In 1984 Porsche provided the late Al Holbert this 962 to compete in the IMSA road racing series where it would go on to earn 15 overall wins from 1984 to 1986, this included a back to back Daytona 24 hour overall win in 1986 and 1987. 962-103 scored three Drivers Championships, three Team Championships and three Manufacturer Championships for Porsche! This was the first 962 chassis to score a win and is by far the most successful 962. With names like Derek Bell and Chip Robinson joining Al, it proved to be an unbeatable combination. The 956 and 962 are still today regarded as the most successful sports-cars in history, making this example the winningest sports-car in history.
3. – 1974 Porsche RSR Turbo Carrera 2.14 Chassis 911 460 9016 (R9) Estimate: $1.75 – $2.25 million
The Carrera RSR Turbo 2.14 represents a turning point in the history of competition Porsches when it introduced the use of turbocharged engines in production-based race cars. Used by the factory for development, this hand-built experimental 911 was campaigned as a Martini & Rossi Porsche Works entry in the 1974 season at Nürburgring, Imola and Zeltweg. Few racing cars of this caliber have remained so correct and untouched, making this car an extremely important piece of Porsche history.
This 935, serial number 935-001, is the very first 935 ever made by Porsche. It was built on the very first production 911 Turbo chassis, 930 570 0001. Initially used for testing and development purposes, it was pressed into service near the end of the 1976 season in the Group 5 World Manufacturers Championship, as BMW was closing the gap with Porsche towards points in winning the championship. On its racing debut, 935-001 dominated the Six Hours of Watkins Glen, and went on to win the race overall.
Following the triumphant success, “001” would go on to earn a second place finish at the Six Hours of Dijon, right behind 935-002. The result was at the end of 1976 was a Group 5 World Championship for Porsche. 935-001 is the only former, factory team 935/76 in the world in private ownership. 935-002 is now on display at the Porsche museum in Stuttgart, Germany. 935-001 launched what would become one of the most successful types of road racing sports cars ever. Porsche 935s dominated race tracks around the world for over a decade. Today, 935-001 remains in its original, unrestored state, exactly as it was when it was last raced in 1976.
5.- 1985 Porsche 962 Chassis 962-HR1 Estimate: $900,000 – $1.2 million
During its career, this Porsche achieved 11 overall wins and 19 podium finishes, as well as 2 IMSA GTP Drivers Championships and an IMSA GTP Manufacturers Championship. Along with its Holbert Racing sister car, 962-103, this 962 is one of the most significant 962s in history. Fresh from restoration, 962- HR1 was displayed at RennSport Reunion IV in 2011.
Chassis 993-GT1-004 was part of the family tree commercial filmed for the introduction of the Panamera.
This rare factory team car – one of just four built – has competed at top events (Le Mans, Nürburgring and Laguna Seca) in the highest levels of international racing with known drivers behind its wheel. Later campaigned by Rohr Racing at Daytona and Harry Bytzek in the Canada GT Challenge Cup, GT1-004 has one of the most impressive racing records of any factory GT1.
A restructuring of the rules as handed down by the FIA was largely responsible for the classes known as GT1 and GT2. While GT2 cars were based on production platforms, to call a GT1 anything other than a prototype would be to misconstrue the logic of effort. While a few road going versions of the Mercedes CLK-GTR and the Toyota GT-One were constructed, it was all done at face value. Only Porsche made a complete effort to adhere to the rules by making an actual run of GT1 road going production models. As Weissach was to learn for the 1997 and 1998 FIA GT seasons, no good deed goes unpunished, as their GT1 was a victim of questionable limitations on performance compared to the competition. Only at Le Mans, under the rules of the ACO, was the true potential of the GT1 clearly in evidence.
The genesis behind the decision to build the original GT1 came as an answer to counter the successful road to race configuration of the McLaren F1 which won Le Mans overall in 1995. In reality, this was to be Norbert Singer’s first new real prototype to come from Weissach since the 956 in 1982.
After the initial successful appearance of the Porsche GT1 at La Sarthe in 1996, ( 1st in class, 2nd overall ) McLaren would counter with a new car for the upcoming season. Norbert Singer developed the evolution version of the GT1, which was a considerable improvement over the previous edition. The FIA GT Championship debuted in 1997 and while Weissach entered a pair of GT1’s to contest the series, the major focus was preparing for Le Mans.
GT1 evolution chassis 004 had it’s initial roll out at Weissach for the 1997 season in late March and immediately was used for testing prior to pre-qualifying for Le Mans in May. Wearing number 25 for the actual June race, the trio of Stuck, Wollek and Boutsen quickly established 004 as the car to beat for the overall win. However, in motorsport there is only one certainty and that is uncertainty. With eight hours remaining, Wollek spun and 004 was retired from the race. For the remainder of the 1997 FIA GT season 004 was entered for only two races. However, at Laguna Seca, a new star in sportscar racing was ignited as Allan McNish got the jump on the superior Mercedes squad and kept the Porsche badge in front until the first round of pit stops and a miscalculation knocked 004 out of first place. The duo of McNish and Kellners settled for a podium position of third overall. GT1 004 was returned to Weissach where it was used for extensive tire testing with Michelin in preparation for the 1998 season and a year long birthday party for Porsche’s 50th.
GT1 004 was sold in 1998 and was campaigned successfully, retired from use and eventually sold in 2005 to a private collector. Three years later 004 was obtained by Matt Drendel and restored visually to the way it appeared at Le Mans in 1997. The three year run of werks GT1’s continue to be immensely popular with enthusiasts in the manner of models, books and published material. Porsche requested 004 to be on their stand at the New York Auto Show in 2009 and later that year 004 was part of the family tree commercial filmed for the introduction of the Panamera.
The racing variant of the road-going 930, the 934 expanded on the success of the RSR, winning the European GT Championship as well as the TransAm Championship in North America. The second 934 constructed, this car was actively campaigned through the early 1980s, culminating in a first in class at the 1982 24 Hours of Le Mans.
In regards to this car, noted Porsche authority Bruce Anderson was quoted as saying
“it is the most successful 934 to race in international competition.”
Only the second 934 of the 31 produced by Porsche, “930670155” has a wonderful story to tell. Competing successfully for seven consecutive seasons, this 934 has won more races and had more podium finishes than any other 934 in history. It would go on to earn both a Group 4 class win at the 1982 24 Hours of Le Mans. Powered by an air-cooled 3.0L, turbocharged, flat six, this example would go on to make an amazing 630hp!
The remaining cars of the Drendel Family Collection, 11 offered without reserve, are listed below:
8. – 1980 Porsche 924 Carrera GT Le Mans Chassis 924-003 Estimate: $450,000 – $600,000, Without Reserve
One of three Works entries at the 1980 24 Hours of Le Mans; placed 13
th Overall with Bell and Holbert
Born as a project of Porsche AG, to show that the front engined 924 was just as suitable for racing as their other models, the 924 Carrera GT Le Mans (924-003) was a remarkable success in so many ways. Credited for being the car that originally brought Derek Bell and the late Al Holbert together, this car was already off to a good start before there’s even a mention of its successful racing career. This 924 certainly proved its worth amongst others in the Porsche range, as it would go on to be a popular choice for several other private racing teams following the success of the Factory 924 Carrera GT Le Mans at the challenging, 24 Hours of Le Mans. In total, there were four of these cars produced, this is the only example in private hands, with the other three still belonging to Porsche today.
9. – 1980 Porsche Indy Car Chassis 0031 Estimate: $350,000 – $550,000
Intended as Porsche’s return to open-wheel racing, the company’s ground-breaking program was cancelled a month before the Indianapolis 500 s a result of last-minute USAC rule changes
10 – 1987 McLaren-Porsche MP4/3 Formula One Chassis MP4/3/1 Estimate: $450,000 – $600,000, Without Reserve
The first MP4/3 built and the only example in private hands
11. – 1981 Porsche 924 GTP “Le Mans” Chassis 924-005 Estimate: $375,000 – $450,000, Without Reserve
Factory prototype and development car, built to compete at the 24 Hours of Le Mans
12. – 1995 Porsche 911 GT2 Evolution Chassis WP0ZZZ99ZTS393062 Estimate: $375,000 – $425,000, Without Reserve
The Champion Porsche, 1996 12 Hours of Sebring class winner
All the way from Pompano Beach, Florida, this 911 GT2 Evolution cut its teeth racing for Champion Racing in the ‘Sunshine State’, where it earned everything from a GT1 class win at the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1996 to a second in class finish in 1997 at the grueling, 24 Hours of Daytona. Taking several other podium finishes throughout its racing career, this chassis, #393062, is one of the most successful 993 GT2s to ever compete thanks to an impressive list of endurance racing legends that piloted it during its career, including Hans Stuck, Thierry Boutsen and Bill Adam. This iteration of the (993) 911 GT2 is proof that evolution is very effective within the Porsche Motorsport department, as this GT2 Evolution produced 600hp, growing 150hp from the original “GT2” to make it competitive within the GT1 racing class.
13. – 1992 Porsche 968 Turbo RS Chassis WPOZZZ96ZNS820065 Estimate: $250,000 – $325,000, Without Reserve
Factory prototype with Le Mans and Sebring race history
With 450 horsepower and nearly 500 foot pounds of torque this is anything but your typical 968. The 968 Turbo RS was a product of the men at Porsche Motorsport in Weissach, Germany. Featuring the familiar 3.0L engine block, but utilizing a SOHC cylinder head, the 968 Turbo RS was fitted with a large, KKK L41 Turbocharger that helped make it so competitive that the entire project was eventually abandoned because of what some might call ‘sibling rivalry’. The 968 Turbo RS had the basic ingredients to embarrass its older brother, the 911. With an extensive use of Carbon Fiber and TAG engine management, this 968 proved to be a cutting edge weapon within its career. This particular example is undoubtedly the most desirable of the four produced, as it’s the prototype chassis and is the only example to be raced during the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1994.
14. – 1994 Porsche 911 Turbo 3.6 “Bad Boys” Movie Car
The 964 chassis 911 Turbo 3.6 marks the end of an era for Porsche, as it was the end of the single-turbo, rear-wheel driven 911 Turbos, making it especially prominent amongst discerning Porschephiles. This particular example is especially significant as it is the exact car used in the popular film “Bad Boys”, starring Will Smith, Martin Lawrence and Tea Leoni.
15. – 1986 Porsche 944 Turbo Cup Chassis WP0ZZZ95ZGN154076 Estimate: $65,000 – $85,000, Without Reserve
Underneath this 944’s relatively unassuming exterior lurks a beast. The 944 Turbo Cup, or “944 Weissach Turbo” as the factory would call them, were gifted with all the best secrets from Porsche Motorsport. Featuring everything from lightweight body panels to significant suspension and chassis modifications, the 944 Turbo Cup is already off to a good start before you even mention the significant power increase over the standard model. Shedding over 400lbs from a showroom 944 Turbo, the Turbo Cup could now accelerate to 60mph in under 5 seconds! A frequenter of victory lane, this chassis would go onto be highly successful during its racing career even at one point earning six consecutive wins while competing in the Firehawk endurance showroom stock series. Since its retirement from racing, it was given a FULL ground up restoration by the experts at Rennsport Porsche in Louisiana, and now enjoys its life as a true race car for the street!
16. – 1988 Porsche 944 Turbo S Chassis WP0AA2957JN151272 Estimate: $50,000 – $65,000, Without Reserve
17. – 1994 Porsche 968 Turbo S Clone Chassis WP0AA2961RS820772 Estimate: $45,000 – $55,000, Without Reserve
If you are thinking this is your typical 968 Turbo S, think again. Mr. Lloyd Hawkins, then owner of the prototype 968 Turbo RS s/n 820065 and the owner of Rennsport Porsche in Louisiana wanted nothing less than a road going version of his 968 Turbo RS prototype.
In collaboration with Porsche Motorsport North America and Porsche Motorsport in Germany, the trio of experts went to work on Mr. Hawkins wish. When they were finished, they created a true one off beast! If ever there was a “Wolf in Sheep’s clothing”, this is it.
Able to produce over 500 horsepower at the wheels from it’s 3.0 liter 4 cylinder engine at 26 psi or about 1.75 bar, with a quick change to racing “slick tires”, this car would be at home on any race track, or by simply switching back to “street tires”, you could set the cruise control on for a long journey down the interstate.
While the project was no doubt expensive, costing over $200,000 dollars and over 1800 man hours to complete, the project was a huge success! NO detail was overlooked. Carrillo “H-Beam” connecting rods were used, along with Mahle pistons, an actual 968 Turbo RS 3.0 liter racing engine block, ARP studs, three angle valve cuts, “O” ringed heads, stainless steel brake lines, 964 Turbo S brakes with ABS, adjustable coil over springs with Bilstein shocks, adjustable sway bars, carbon fiber clutch, 968 Turbo RS G44/01 transmission with limited slip differential, and that is just to name a few, all the correct parts to go racing with are present and accounted for.
Inside the car however, it features many comfort amenities, such as heated leather Porsche sport seats, Porsche/Alpine Hi-Fi stereo system with 6 disc changer, power steering, front airbags, rear foldable seats, full lightweight carpet (without sound deadening material) throughout, air conditioning, removable/tilting sunroof, power windows, power rear window wiper and even a fully functioning adjustable rear wing to add or remove downforce at the rear of the car as needed.
This 968 Turbo RS really embodies the “best of both worlds”‘ and in some ways pays homage to the great racing cars of the past. The racing cars that could truly be driven to the track to compete, and then be driven home again. It is, without question, one of Mr. Drendel’s favorite street cars. He was once quoted as saying, “For me, this car is much more fun to drive than my 959 Sport. With a perfect 50/50 weight distribution, once I got my set up dialed in just right within the suspension, there isn’t anything else I would do to change this car, I don’t know how it could possibly get any better.”
Gooding & Company will be conducting its annual Amelia Island Auction on March 9, 2012 at 11 a.m., at the Racquet Park located at the Omni Amelia Island Plantation at 6800 First Coast Highway in Amelia Island, one mile south of the Amelia Island Parkway.
Guests may preview the cars on Thursday, March 8th from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Friday, March 9th from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
An auction catalogue for $75 admits two to the viewing and auction. General admission to the viewing and auction can be purchased at the tent for $30 per person.
Bidder registration forms, press credentials and additional auction information are available at www.goodingco.com or by calling (310) 899-1960. Auctions are broadcast Live at www.goodingco.com/auction
About Gooding & Company
Gooding & Company, internationally celebrated for its world-class automotive auctions, provides unparalleled service in the collector car market, offering a wide range of services including private and estate sales, appraisals and collection management.
In the past two years, Gooding & Company has realized the most prestigious automotive records in the world for a Car Sold at Auction with the iconic 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa Prototype at $16.39 million, an American Car at Auction with the 1931 Whittell Coupe Duesenberg Model J at $10.34 million, and the undisclosed private treaty sale of the world’s Most Valuable Car with the 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic.
The auction house ignited 2012 achieving extraordinary results at its annual Scottsdale Auctions in January with more than $39.8 million in sales and 98% sold. Preceding each auction, a complete catalogue is made available online at www.goodingco.com and a
virtual auction guide is published via Gooding & Company’s IAC award-winning iPhone and iPad app.
For additional vehicle information and up-to-the-minute results, follow Gooding & Company on Facebook and Twitter @GoodingCompany. Renowned for its annual standing as the official auction house for the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, Gooding & Company will return to Pebble Beach, California on August 18 & 19, 2012.
Thanks to Michael Jordan at Insideline for sharing!
This is Zwart’s street car, so he selected his options appropriately.
“Since I’m using it as my every-day car,” he says, “I got nav and XM satellite radio and all that funny stuff that really doesn’t line up for a full race car for the street, but I do need some things. Also I got a little red stitching inside.
“I deleted the graphics so I can go slightly low key. My last RS was black with black graphics, which worked well. It’s always dicey to order a color like this that is not usually available, but I must say I am very pleased how it came out.”
As Circle Porsche’s Michelle Larson says, “It’s the best part of this business. Everybody leaves here happy; after all, they’re taking a Porsche with them.”
The RS 4.0’s key feature is a 4.0-liter street-legal version of the racing-type RSR engine and it delivers 500 hp at 8,250 rpm and 339 lb-ft of torque at 5,750 rpm. The chassis setup is mid-way between the GT3 RS 3.8 and GT2 RS, and it includes rod-ends in the rear suspension. If you look closely, you’ll also notice the aero whiskers forward of the front wheels and a steeper, 9-degree inclination of the rear wing. Overall the car has 450 pounds of downforce at its top speed, some 82 pounds at the front and 348 pounds at the rear. The RS 4.0 gets to 100 km/hr (62 mph) in 3.9 seconds on the way to 193 mph.
1948 Porsche 356 Roadster – the good Doctor’s First. She rolls and steers but the brakes are to fear- By Joe Kyte
What is Topiary? Topiary is the art of creating sculpture in the medium of clipped trees, shrubbery and vines. Joe Kyte provides traditional cutting frames of all sizes yes, but he goes way beyond that!
Topiary Joe builds giant planted topiary animals, Living Logo public art work, huge Mosaiculture and giant steel wire green sculpture World Wide.
Conservatory grade planted character figures, green roof/green wall integrated sculpture, geometric box shrubbery cutting frames of horses, dinosaurs, vintage cars – even Lions, Tigers and Bears!
He creates large scale 3D sustainable advertising sculptures to your specifications, on the job site or in his shop.
Stuttgart. At the famous 24 hour race in Daytona/USA in a field stronger than ever before, pilots from the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup impressed with outstanding performances.
At his first attempt, René Rast (Germany), the Supercup champion of 2010 and 2011, won the long distance classic in Florida with the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup together with Porsche works driver Richard Lietz (Austria) and Americans Andy Lally and John Potter.
Jeroen Bleekemolen from the Netherlands, title winner of the world’s fastest international one-make race series in 2008 and 2009, scored second place with Porsche factory pilot Wolf Henzler (Germany) as well as Marc Goossens (Belgium), Spencer Pumpelly and Steven Bertheau (both USA).
“A dream has come true with this victory,” said René Rast, winner of five Supercup rounds last year, including the Porsche Carrera World Cup on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife. In recognition of his outstanding achievements last season, Porsche gave Rast the opportunity of competing in Daytona.
Jeroen Bleekemolen stated:
“That was undoubtedly the most intensely competitive 24 hour race I’ve ever driven. To finish second here is a fantastic effort from the entire team.”
Jonas Krauss, Manager of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, was also very pleased with his drivers’ performances on the Daytona International Speedway.
“Our pilots have done an excellent job in this world-class field,” he said.
“The fact that René could win at his Daytona debut and Jeroen also climbed the podium in second clearly shows that some of the best GT pilots in the world are contesting the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup and they can hold their own anywhere.”
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Other Supercup pilots in Daytona were Britain’s Sean Edwards and Nick Tandy, who finished in 18th place.
Position 24 was occupied by Frenchman Kévin Estre, the 2011 “Rookie of the Year” in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup. Porsche also gave him the chance to start in Daytona in recognition of his strong performance as the most successful Supercup newcomer by far.
The three Porsche works drivers Wolf Henzler, Richard Lietz and Marc Lieb, who shared the GT podium in Daytona with René Rast and Jeroen Bleekemolen, also first proved themselves in the Porsche makes cup series. Wolf Henzler was the Supercup champion of 2004, and Marc Lieb clinched the title in the 2002 Porsche Carrera Cup.
If you’re the sort of person who gets unfeasibly excited and lightly feverish when presented with a classic, mint condition old-school sportscar previously owned by someone very cool and very famous, then, frankly, you’re our sort of person.
And thus, today is a good day for you, because a Porsche 911 previously owned by Top GearMagazine’s Man of the Year (2011) Jenson Button is up for sale.
Formula One ace Jenson Button is selling his classic Porsche 911 – for a staggering £210,000. The Somerset-born star owns a string of supercars made by Ferrari, McLaren and Bugatti.
But his 1973 Carrera RS is considered the ‘holy grail’ of 911 models and is highly sought after by collectors.
Porsche wanted to race the 911 but was required to build 500 ‘homologation’ models which could be driven legally on roads beforehand.
So they launched the Carrera RS – with Button’s sports car the first Porsche which wealthy businessmen could drive to work in during the week and thrash around a racetrack at the weekend. It was a stiffer, lighter, more powerful 911 fitted with a 2.7-litre engine developing 210bhp.
A huge demand meant Porsche ended up building 1,590 models, with Jenson’s 1,280 off the production line.
And it’s no ordinary Porsche 911.
It is a 1973 2.7 Carrera RS.
This very fact should send a shiver of fizz right through to your extremities. Don’t forget, it’s the car Porsche had to homologate in order to go racing back in the 1970s.
They had to build a minimum of 500, but actually churned out 1590 because of the demand.
Compared to the standard 911, the 2.7 Carrera RS models featured stiffer suspension, larger brakes, wider rear wheels and arches and, of course,
……that fabulous ‘duck-tail’ rear spoiler.
The engine was a 2.7-litre flat-sixer producing 210bhp and became the fastest road-going car in Germany of its day.
0-60mph took just under six seconds and flat out, the RS would top 152mph.
Jenson picked up this ultimate collectors’ Porsche just two years ago, number 1280 of the 1590 model run, which has covered just 25,000 miles.
It reportedly spent most of its life in Italy, owned early in its life by Mario Angiolini, founder of the ‘Jolly Club’ Italian racing team.
So you can imagine that being a rare 2.7 Carrera RS, in black, previously owned by the 2009 Formula One world champion and all-round top bloke, would command a significant premium over its lowly siblings.
You’d be right.
This particular Porsche is on the market for £209,850.
Stuttgart. The 24 hour race in Daytona remains Porsche territory:
At the cliff-hanger 50th anniversary of the long distance classic in Florida/USA, the Zuffenhausen sports car manufacturer celebrated a convincing triple triumph in the GT class against strong opposition from the likes of Audi, BMW, Corvette and Ferrari.
(l.-r.): Andy Lally, John Potter, Richard Lietz, Rene Rast
Victory went to Porsche works driver Richard Lietz (Austria) in the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup fielded by Magnus Racing with teammates René Rast (Germany) as well as Americans Andy Lally and John Potter.
Porsche Factory Pilot Richard Lietz (Austria) – Magnus Racing
Magnus Racing – René Rast (Germany)
Magnus Racing – American Andy Lally
Magnus Racing – American John Potter.
#44 Magnus Racing Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
After a thrilling finale in front of record crowds on the Daytona International Speedway, Lietz saw the flag 9.412 seconds ahead of his factory pilot colleague Wolf Henzler.
#67 TRG Racing’s Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
The previous year’s winner from Germany shared the cockpit of TRG Racing’s Porsche 911 GT3 Cup with Jeroen Bleekemolen (Netherlands), Marc Goossens (Belgium), Spencer Pumpelly (USA) and Steven Bertheau (USA).
Jeroen Bleekemolen (Netherlands), Marc Goossens (Belgium), Steven Bertheau (USA), Factory Pilot Wolf Henzler, Spencer Pumpelly (USA)
Scoring third place was Porsche works driver Marc Lieb (Germany) with Americans Hurley Haywood, Leh Keen and Andrew Davis in the legendary starting number 59 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup run by the Daytona-winning squad Brumos Racing.
Porsche works driver Marc Lieb (Germany) with Americans Hurley Haywood, Leh Keen and Andrew Davis – Brumos Racing Team
“Today we all witnessed why Daytona is one of the world’s most fascinating races,” said Wolfgang Hatz, Board Member for Research and Development at Porsche AG.
“For me that was a 24 hour sprint. The front-runners were incredibly close right to the flag. I’m very pleased to see that we had virtually no technical problems with our cars and the teams and drivers did such a magnificent job under difficult conditions.
Congratulations and well done to you all.”
Joerg Bergmiester, Patrick Long, Marc Lieb, Marco Holzer, Patrick Pilet, Wolf Henzler, Richard Lietz – Porsche Factory Pilots
Porsche’s head of motorsport, Hartmut Kristen, commented after this latest success:
“The 50th running of this classic was unbelievably exciting. For much of the time, there were ten GT cars in one lap. The spectators were again treated to some fantastic motorsport. And it’s great of course to celebrate an impressive victory in front of such spectacular crowds. The Porsche 911 GT3 Cup again brilliantly underlined its outstanding reliability at this extremely difficult race.”
With its latest win, Porsche has now scored 22 overall and 74 class wins, making it the most successful manufacturer in the history of this race.
The anniversary race of the endurance classic in Florida, at which the new Porsche 911 ran as the safety car, was stronger than ever before. In the GT class alone, 45 cars lined up to start.
“To beat so many great drivers, the crème de la crème of GT pilots, is simply awesome,” said the winner Richard Lietz.
“Winning this race for Porsche is a highlight of my career, comparable only to my two victories in Le Mans.”
His teammate René Rast, the two-time champion of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, to whom Porsche gave the chance to compete at Daytona in recognition of his excellent performance last season, said:
“Everything ran smoothly. We didn’t experience a single technical problem. That was only the second 24 hour race of my career and undoubtedly the toughest. During one of my stints I spent three and a half hours at the wheel. That was incredibly exhausting.”
In the gripping final phase, Wolf Henzler again pulled out all stops, but the leading Richard Lietz managed to stave him off to the flag.
Porsche Factory Pilot – Wolf Henzler
“He was just too quick today,” Henzler stated. “But to climb the podium again after my win last year is a huge success for me.”
With the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup fielded by Brumos Racing, which took off into the race from pole position, Marc Lieb pitted shortly before the flag for a ‘splash and dash’ refuelling stop.
Porsche Factory Pilot – Marc Lieb
Despite having led the race for long distances up until this point, he was unable to rejoin the fight for victory.
“We experienced a bit of bad luck towards the end with our race strategy,” he said. “But although I was rather disappointed initially, it’s still a great team effort to come third against such an incredibly strong GT field.”
Andrew Davis, Leh Keen and Marc Lieb – Brumos Racing
Turning the fastest race lap of the entire GT field, Porsche factory pilot Marco Holzer (Germany) turned heads at the classic on the Daytona International Speedway.
Porsche Factory Pilot – Marco Holzer
Alex Job Racing #23
He didn’t, however, manage to reach the flag.
“Everything was running beautifully with our car until the retirement,” he commented.
“But we had a bit of bad luck under the yellow flag. Three times we came in to refuel just before a caution phase and lost laps because of it. That’s rough.”
Lady Luck wasn’t with Porsche works drivers Joerg Bergmeister (Germany) and Patrick Long (USA) either.
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup of Flying Lizard Motorsports
With the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup of Flying Lizard Motorsports, which they shared with American Seth Neiman and Mike Rockenfeller (Switzerland), they were holding their own with the front-runners early on, but fell back and had to settle for 15th place at the flag.
Bergmeister/Long/Neiman/Rockenfeller (D/USA/USA/D), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
“Early on in the race we were running in the top three,” said Patrick Long. “Our pace was very fast.
But Seth’s collision with a Daytona prototype put us out of serious contention.”
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup of Flying Lizard Motorsports
GT class
1. Lietz/Lally/Rast/Potter (A/USA/D/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, 727 laps
2. Henzler/Bleekemolen/Bertheau/Goossens/Pumpelly (D/NL/USA/B/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, 727 laps
3. Lieb/Haywood/Davis/Keen (D/USA/USA/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, 726 laps
4. Edwards/Bremer/Liddell (USA/DK/GB), Camaro GT.R, 726 laps
5. Beretta/Bertolini/Vilander (MC/I/SF), Ferrari 458, 726 laps
6. Franchitti/Bomarito/Hinchcliffe/Tremblay (GB/USA/CAN/USA), Mazda RX-8, 722 laps
7. Pilet/Farnbacher/Keating/Simonsen (F/D/USA/DK), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, 721 laps
11. Armindo/Curtis/Lewis/Sofronas/Willsey (F/USA/USA/USA/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, 713 laps
14. Avenatti/Faieta/Poordad/Sweedler/Wagner (USA/USA/USA/USA/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, 707 laps
15. Bergmeister/Long/Neiman/Rockenfeller (D/USA/USA/D), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, 706 laps
(l.-r.): Jörg Bergmeister, Patrick Long, Marc Lieb, Marco Holzer, Patrick Pilet, Wolf Henzler, Richard Lietz
Press Release
26/01/2012
Daytona 24 Hours, USA
Porsche starts from pole position
Stuttgart. Setting the fastest time in qualifying, Porsche pilot Andrew Davis (USA) secured pole position in the strongly-supported GT class at the Daytona 24 Hours.
Porsche pilot Andrew Davis (USA) secured pole position
For the 50th anniversary of the long-distance classic in Florida/USA, he shares the cockpit of the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup fielded by the winning Brumos Racing squad with Porsche works driver Marc Lieb (Germany) and American Hurley Haywood. With five overall wins and six class victories, Haywood is the most successful pilot in the history of this race. On board the car with the legendary starting number 59 is Leh Keen (USA) as the fourth driver.
“The Brumos team managed to get me out on the track before any of the others. With a field of 46 cars, this would normally be a huge advantage,” said Andrew Davis, who relegated Jeff Segal (USA) in the Ferrari to the second grid spot. “But my first lap wasn’t so good. I actually set the top time towards the end of the session. My Porsche was prepared perfectly.”
With the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup run by Magnus Racing, Andy Lally (USA) turned the third quickest lap.
Magnus Racing, Andy Lally (USA)
His teammates for the race are Porsche works driver Richard Lietz (Austria), John Potter (USA) as well as René Rast (Germany), the two-time champion of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup.
Porsche factory pilot Patrick Long (USA)
Porsche factory pilot Patrick Long (USA), who shares driving duties with his works driver colleague Joerg Bergmeister (Germany) as well as Seth Neiman (USA) and Mike Rockenfeller (Switzerland) in Flying Lizard Racing’s Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, posted the fourth quickest time.
Seventh fastest was Porsche works driver Marco Holzer (Germany).
Porsche works driver Marco Holzer (Germany)
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, Alex Job Racing: Marco Holzer, Cooper MacNeil, Butch Leitzinger, Emmanuel Collard
“We changed a couple of things on the car before the qualifying and that paid off,” said the teammate of Emmanuel Collard (France), Butch Leitzinger (USA) and Cooper MacNeil (USA).
“I had to overtake two cars during my fastest lap and that cost several tenths of seconds. Still, we have a good starting position for the race. We’ve worked very hard on the car following our tests and I’m certain that we’ll do well over the distance.”
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The 24 hour race starts on Saturday at 15.30 hours local time (21.30 hrs CET).
Result GT Qualifying
1. Andrew Davis (USA), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, 1:49.342 minutes
2. Jeff Segal (USA), Ferrari 458, + 0.015 seconds
3. Andy Lally (USA), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, + 0.046
4. Patrick Long (USA), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, + 0.208
5. Gianmaria Bruni (I), Ferrari 458, + 0.319
6. Wayne Nonnamaker (USA), Mazda RX-8, + 0.358
7. Marco Holzer (D), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, + 0.424
9. Martin Ragginger (A), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, 0.549
10. Bryce Miller (USA), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, 0.702
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup strongly represented at Daytona
Five Supercup pilots contest the 24 hour classic
Stuttgart. The Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup is strongly represented at the 24 hour race in Daytona. Five drivers from the world’s fastest international one-make race series tackle the spring classic in Florida/USA with the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup.
In recognition of their outstanding performances last season, Porsche AG has given the double Supercup champion René Rast (Germany) and Frenchman Kévin Estre as “Rookie of the Year” the chance to participate in the 50th anniversary running of the legendary sports car race on the Daytona International Speedway.
“René and Kévin displayed extraordinary prowess during the 2011 season,” says Jonas Krauss, Head of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup.
“So with support from Porsche, they have earned the chance to prove themselves in the fiercely-contested GT class of this long distance classic against very strong competition.”
Other pilots from the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup in Daytona are Britain’s Sean Edwards and Nick Tandy as well as Jeroen Bleekemolen from the Netherlands.
Sean Edwards (GB) – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Deutschland 2011
Nick Tandy (GB) – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Spanien 2011
Jeroen Bleekemolen (NL) – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Italien 2011
On the way to his second title after 2010, René Rast celebrated five victories last year, including races on the storied Grand Prix circuits of Spa and Silverstone.
René Rast (D) – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Türkei 2011
Moreover, the German won the Porsche Carrera World Cup on the famed Nürburgring-Nordschleife.
“For me, Daytona is a real highlight to kick off the new season,” says Rast about his Daytona campaign with Magnus Racing.
“It’s not every day a race driver gets the chance to contest such a prestigious 24 hour race with Porsche backup. This is really something very special.”
Kévin Estre was not only the most successful Supercup newcomer by far in 2011 – he also secured his first victory in this intensely competitive one-make series in the Royal Park of Monza. The Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup has run as support to the Formula 1 World Championship since 1993.
Estre is excited about his debut in Daytona with TRG Racing.
“I thank Porsche for this unique chance,” he says. “I’ll do my best to justify their trust and to represent the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup well.”
Kevin Estre (F) – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Italien 2011
Traditionally, the 24 hour race on the Daytona International Speedway is the first highlight of the motorsport season and year after year attracts the best pilots from all kinds of race series worldwide to the ‘Sunshine State’ of the USA.
Spearheaded by title defender Wolf Henzler (Germany), seven Porsche works drivers contest the strongly supported GT class. With 22 overall wins, Porsche is the most successful manufacturer in the history of the race.
The race
The endurance classic, which kicks off the Grand-Am Series season, started out in 1962 as a three hour race. At 1,250 miles in 1964, the race grew to double the distance of the classic 1,000 kilometre races of Spa, Monza and the Nürburgring. The maiden 24 hour event in Daytona took place in 1966. Due to the oil crisis in 1974 the race was not run. Taking their places on the winner’s list are Formula 1 champions like Phil Hill and Mario Andretti as well as legendary Porsche pilots like Hans Herrmann, Rolf Stommelen, Hurley Haywood and Bob Wollek.
The circuit
The Daytona International Speedway is one of the world’s most famous race tracks. The 24 hour race is contested on the 5.729 kilometre track combination of oval with banked corner and the infield. The circuit is also the venue for the famed NASCAR Daytona 500 race with over 250,000 spectators annually.
The Porsche drivers
In the traditionally very competitive GT class, seven Porsche works drivers have victory in sight with the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup:
Title defender Wolf Henzler competes for TRG Racing, Joerg Bergmeister (Germany) and Patrick Long (USA) line up for Flying Lizard Motorsports, their winning team from the American Le Mans Series. Alex Job Racing has Marco Holzer (Germany) onboard, with Patrick Pilet (Franc) taking the wheel of the second TRG-Porsche. Magnus Racing competes with Richard Lietz (Austria), whilst his teammate in the new World Endurance Championship, Marc Lieb (Germany), lines up for Brumos Racing.
One of the partners of the Porsche works driver is the US racing legend Hurley Haywood (USA). With five overall and six class victories, Haywood is the most successful pilot ever in Daytona. On 4 May he celebrates his 64th birthday.
US racing legendHurley Haywood (USA)
Also taking up the race with the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup is Audi factory pilot Mike Rockenfeller (Switzerland).
Audi factory pilotMike Rockenfeller (Switzerland)
In recognition of their brilliant performances in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, Porsche AG gave the two-time champion René Rast (Germany) as well as “Rookie of the Year” Kévin Estre (France) the chance to compete at Daytona.
Two-time championRené Rast (Germany)
“Rookie of the Year” Kévin Estre (France)
What they said before the race
Hartmut Kristen, Head of Porsche Motorsport:
“Daytona is always a very special race for Porsche. Our Porsche teams have already yielded many great results here with the Porsche 911. And with 21 vehicles we are very well represented again this year. For teams like Brumos who compete in 2012 as title defenders of the Grand-Am Series, it is particularly exciting that the most important race of the year is also the start of the season. And it will be particularly interesting to see the new competitors who compete with modified and, in fact, more powerful GT3 vehicles.”
Jörg Bergmeister:
“After the long break over winter, this race is a great way to get ready for the new season. Porsche was always very strong in Daytona. I last won the race here in 2009 and I’m feeling quite confident that we’ll be good for a win again this year. The competition was never this strong. It’ll be a tough fight from start to finish.”
Joerg Bergmeister (Germany)
Patrick Long:
“Our excursion into the prototype class last year was an interesting experience. But now I’m looking forward to racing a 911 again in Daytona. The fact that our GT-class rivals are not only much stronger in sheer numbers makes the task for us and our team even more interesting.”
Patrick Long (USA)
Marc Lieb:
“Our tests ran well in Daytona and I’m sure that we’ll be competitive in the race. The 24 Hours of Daytona is always a cool event, and added to this is the unbelievably big grid for the 50th anniversary. I’m looking forward to driving for such a well established and successful team like Brumos Racing with the legendary starting number 59.”
Marc Lieb (Germany)
Wolf Henzler:
“When we tested I was really impressed by the strength of our competition. With 42 GT cars on the grid, it’ll certainly not be an easy race. I imagine things will get really tough right from the start flag. I’m driving again for TRG, the team with which I won last year. My teammates are very strong and of course I’ll do my best to repeat my victory from last year.”
Wolf Henzler (Germany)
Marco Holzer:
“It’s a fantastic challenge to start the season with a 24 hour race, and a classic like Daytona at that. I very much like this circuit. It’s demanding but real fun. We did a great deal of work on the car with my team Alex Job Racing. I’m quite optimistic for the race.”
Marco Holzer (Germany)
Richard Lietz:
“Great that the season finally gets underway. The GT class booms, the competition is stronger this year than ever before. That will surely be an interesting race. We always had a good car in the last years and we are keen to continue the success streak of Porsche in Daytona.”
Richard Lietz (Austria)
Patrick Pilet:
“Driving in Daytona is something very special for us all. This race is a legend and a great challenge, particularly in its anniversary year. Manufacturers send the best GT teams with very strong driver contingents to Daytona. The fight for victory is open like never before.”
Patrick Pilet (France)
Porsche successes
With 22 overall and 72 class victories, Porsche is by far the most successful manufacturer in the history of the Daytona 24 hour race.
The first overall win for Porsche was in 1968 with Vic Elford, Jochen Neerpasch, Rolf Stommelen, Jo Siffert and Hans Herrmann with the Porsche 907.
The latest win in 2010 went to Joao Barbosa, Terry Borcheller, Ryan Dalziel and Mike Rockenfeller with the Porsche-Riley. In 2003, Joerg Bergmeister, Timo Bernhard, Kevin Buckler and Michael Schrom clinched a sensational overall win with the near-standard Porsche 911 GT3 RS against more powerful Daytona prototypes.
In the previous year, Porsche works driver Wolf Henzler secured the GT class victory at the wheel of the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup.
The schedule
The 24 hour race in Daytona starts on Saturday, 28 January, at 15.30 hrs local time (21.30 hrs CET).
Other interesting facts
– Marking the longest winning streak in the history of the race, Porsche notched up a total of eleven overall victories between 1977 and 1987. Add the class victories to this and Porsche has 21 wins in succession between 1966 and 1987 (in 1974 the race was not contested due to the oil crisis).
– According to statistics, Porsche veteran Hurley Haywood has turned more than 18,800 laps from his 37 Daytona starts to date and with this has completed almost 110,000 kilometres – that’s far more than two and a half times the circumference of the earth. For this, the Porsche dealer from Jacksonville/Florida has spent 476 hours behind the wheel and used around 1,100 sets of tyres.
– Right behind front-runner Hurley Haywood with five overall wins (1973, 1975, 1977, 1979, 1991) in the all-time list of winners at Daytona are two further Porsche pilots: Rolf Stommelen (1968, 1978, 1980, 1982) and Bob Wollek (1983, 1985, 1989, 1991) each with four overall victories.
The calendar
Thirteen races in the USA and Canada make up the calendar of the Grand-Am Series for 2012:
28/29.01. 24 Hours Daytona/Florida
01.04. Birmingham/Alabama
29.04. Miami/Florida
13.05. Millville/New Jersey
03.06. Detroit/Michigan
10.06. Lexington/Ohio
24.06. Elkhart Lake/Wisconsin
01.07 6 Hours Watkins Glen/New York
29.07. Indianapolis/Indiana
12.08. Watkins Glen/New York
19.08. Montreal/Canada
09.09. Laguna Seca/California
28.09. Lime Rock, Connecticut
This year marks an important race in the manufacturer’s history because we will be celebrating 50 years at Daytona. As the most winning Marque of the Rolex 24, Porsche will be the official pace car of the 24 hour race, showcasing the new 911. Porsche Cars North America is excited to announce the return of the two-day customer hospitality program at the Rolex 24 at Daytona.
Each hospitality package is $300 and includes an official race ticket to the Rolex 24 and access to the Porsche hospitality tent Saturday (Jan 28) and Sunday (Jan 29) with the following amenities:
Food and Beverage (3 meals per day)
Lounge area
Track feed from the race
Team/Sponsor presentations
Driving Simulators for xBox
Gift bag
In addition to the Rolex 24 at Daytona, any additional customer hospitality programs that will be implemented later in the year will appear on the same website. Dealers, customers, and prospects are able to use this site to order any of the motorsport hospitality packages.
For more information on each of the events or to order hospitality packages please visit:www.porscheracingusa.com.
SITTINGDECIDEDLYUPRIGHT, WITHBOTHSHOULDERBLADES firmly planted in the tall racing Recaro and both hands grasping the period Momo wheel, the view forward is paradoxically feminine yet masculine.
This 1979 930’s familiar, voluptuously sensual pontoon fenders are flanked by madly flared wheel arches, leaving you with glimpses of Group 4 domination.
“When I get into a 911 after driving a Porsche racing car, it doesn’t feel like I’m in a completely different car,” said the late Al Holbert, who certainly knew his Porsche race cars and eventually took over running Porsche’s motorsports activities in North America.
After stepping out of the very real 934-002 and into the cockpit of this 934 replica, I know what he meant. But then, this car’s inspiration gives it an advantage, because the 934 remains Porsche’s most street-like race car to date.
After my left hand summons the ignition, a cacophonous rumble penetrates the cabin.
As the big, turbocharged flat six settles into a brutal idle lumpified by the long overlap of 934 cams, the undulations of each stroke of each cylinder pulsate the chassis. It’s such an experience that, before setting off, I open the door, get out, and walk to the back of the car.
Porsche is commemorating both 60 years of racing at Le Mans and its 2014 return to the storied endurance race with a series of videos.
Porsche will make its return to the LMP1 class of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2014. To celebrate, it has released another teaser video that highlights the brand’s history at the famous race from the early years.
Porsche has more wins at Le Mans than any other manufacturer, including Audi. The company has 16 overall victories, including seven in a row from 1981 to 1987. Scores of famous racers have sat in the driver’s seat, including Jacky Ickx, Derek Bell, Hurley Haywood and Hans-Joachim Stuck.
When the announcement of Porsche’s return came last summer, Penske Racing made it known that it would love to back a Porsche team at Le Mans. Roger Penske said his organization wanted to follow up on its success with the Porsche RS Spyder LMP2 in the American Le Mans Series, though no deal has been made.
The company won’t be back until 2014, which means that Porsche still has some hurdles to jump, such as finding a pilot or two and, well, building a car.
The world’s oldest endurance race for sports cars, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, has tested the abilities of both drivers and manufacturers since 1923. German automaker Porsche has set numerous records and claimed 16 total victories since the inception of this monumental race, more than any other entrant. Porsche presents us with this compilation of hand-chosen clips from the early days of Le Mans, highlighting the car manufacturer’s achievements in the days preceding its era of dominance with the Porsche 936, 935, and 917 between 1970 and 1980. The promotions are in anticipation of Porsche’s triumphant return in 2014 to the circuit.
Porsche owned large swathes of the 1970s at Le Mans, with five overall victories. Starting with the 917 at the dawn of the decade – and leading to the 936 and 935 – legendary drivers paved the way for complete dominance by Porsche in the 1980s. The manufacturer – the most successful in the history of the gruelling endurance race – is now set to return to Le Mans in 2014 with an LMP1 sports prototype.
Building on the great successes of the 1970s, Porsche drivers swept all before them in the following decade, with an incredible seven overall victories throughout the 80s. With the Jacky Ickx/Derek Bell team winning in the 936 in 1981, and then leading in an incredible Porsche 1-2-3 win the following year in the newly developed 956, this was a legendary era for the manufacturer. Enjoy the greatest moments here.
365 km/h top speed. And top performances. In the ’90s, the 24 Hours of Le Mans are again dominated by Porsche Motorsport. New race cars. New drivers. And now, a new show.
A glorious past. And now, a mission: In 2014, Porsche Motorsport will return to Le Mans. With a LMP1 prototype and the determination to add another chapter to this success story.
We’ll definitely be watching. The company is setting up its YouTube channel for a running series of these teaser videos, so stay tuned.
One of the most most fierce and rare Porsche’s ever created is currently for sale again; the 911 GT1 Straßenversion. When it comes to rare Porsches of the modern-era, few are as hard to come by as the Porsche 911 GT1 Straßenversion(radical street version).
Let’s go back to mid July of this year, I blogged about a Rare 911 GT1 Straßenversion for sale in Kyoto, Japan that changed ownership for € 1,200,000 and apparently selling/negotiable at 1,300,000 EUR. Must have sold, as the advertisement is no longer available.
Here we have another 911 GT1 Straßenversion for sale.
A rare 1997 Porsche 911 GT1 Straßenversion Serial Number 396005 -1 of 20 “Evos” built in USA. Oh yes…just in time for the Christmas! Sure, we all would like this one under our Christmas tree…offered at a astonishing $1.950,000 or B.O. Taking interesting trades, up or down, considered….read on below. Contact information is at Michael Sheehan’s Website Ferraris-online.com
1997 Porsche 911 GT1 Straßenversion Serial Number 396005, one of only twenty 1997 911 GT1 “Evos” built and the only 911 GT1 Evo legally in the US and registered under the EPA and DOT “Show and Display” exemption.
Far more exclusive than your neighbor’s McLaren F1, faster on the race track and available at less than one-half the price. This 911 GT1 was delivered new to Germany in May 1998. It has been obsessively maintained and is in excellent condition throughout. With just 7,178 kms on the odometer, this 911 GT1 is “as-new”.
Created to homologate Porsche’s FIA GT1 contender, the street or ‘Straßenversion’, is one of the most uncompromising and rare street 911s ever produced. Other than a surprisingly complete and comfortable “street” interior, little differentiates the 911 GT1 from its race-ready sibling. While the first version of the 911 GT1 debuted for the 1996 season, Porsche only produced two examples. The following year, the “Evo” version was released with new kidney-shaped headlights, improved aerodynamics and many other styling cues that would become part of the new 996-based 911s in 1998. Twenty examples of the 1997 911 GT1 “Evo” road car were produced.
The 1997 911 GT1 was based on the 993 body shell, but with modified exterior panels, the yet-to-be-released 996 updates and aerodynamics and a substantial roll-cage that also supports the engine, gearbox and suspension. Built to homologate the 911 GT1 race car, the straßenversion is a pure-blooded race car in almost every way. It has a carbon fiber body, full width wing, a tiny cockpit and 544-horsepower in an 1,100kg package, and accelerates from 0-60mph in just 3.7 seconds. The GT1’s turbocharged flat-six engine sits in front of the rear axle and is supported by chassis tubes instead of the typical 911 rear sub frame. Sitting behind the engine is a longitudinal six-speed transmission onto which the race-bred rocker-arm rear suspension attaches directly.
Compared to the 911 GT1s that raced at Lemans, the road-going version has minimal but practical modifications. These changes include a higher ride height, softer suspension, road-going gear ratios, steel brakes, a mildly detuned engine and a complete interior, including sport seats and a full dashboard from the 993 production 911s.
Offered at $1.950,000 O.B.O. Interesting trades, up or down, considered.
NITEC Engineering label
Tire pressures label
Manual and tools
Längerer & Reich label
VIN label
Engine bay detail
Features
1997 Porsche 911 GT1 Straßenversion Serial Number 396005, one of only twenty 1997 911 GT1 “Evos” built and the only 911 GT1 Evo legally in the US and registered under the EPA and DOT “Show and Display” exemption. Far more exclusive than your neighbor’s McLaren F1, faster on the race track and available at less than one-half the price. This 911 GT1 was delivered new to Germany in May 1998. It has been obsessively maintained and is in excellent condition throughout. With just 7,178 kms on the odometer, this 911 GT1 is “as-new”.
2003, 26 May, Les Grandes Marques à Monaco, Important Collectors’ Motor Cars, Automobilia and Wristwatches, Monaco. Lot 217: One owner and 4,400km from new,1998 Porsche 911 GT1 Coupé: €640,500 inclusive of buyer’s premium. Sold to a Swiss collector.
2009, 11 May, Florida Motor Vehicle Dept., Tampa, FL: Title issued or updated. New owner reported.
2010, 11 Feb., Florida Motor Vehicle Dept., Tampa, FL: Registration issued or renewed.
2011, December, on consignment with Mike Sheehan’s Ferraris-online.com
Note: The above vehicle information is complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time it is posted to this website. Corrections or additional information is always appreciated.
“Motorsport was always an essential part of the Porsche brand,” emphasises Matthias Müller, President of the Executive Board at Porsche AG. “So for us it was only a matter of time before we returned as a factory to the top league of racing. Porsche’s successes in Le Mans are unrivalled. We want to follow up on this with the 17th outright victory.”
Matthias Müller, President of the Executive Board at Porsche AG
With the RS Spyder sports prototype that was run with great success from 2006 to 2008 by the factory-backed Penske Racing team in the USA and to 2010 by several customer teams worldwide, Porsche has set the benchmark recently in the LMP2 category.
“With the RS Spyder we proved that our motorsport engineers in Weissach are at the forefront,” says Wolfgang Hatz, Board Member for Research and Development at Porsche AG. “For instance, we were the first to run a high-revving race engine with direct fuel injection, DFI, setting new standards in performance and efficiency. Recently, with the 911 GT3 R Hybrid, we adopted a completely new drive technology for racing purposes and achieved a considerable reduction in consumption.”
Hartmut Kristen, Head of Porsche Motorsport, is already prepared for one of the most challenging development programmes in the company’s history.
“We’re looking forward to the task of developing new technologies and to continue on with the success of the Porsche RS Spyder. After the conclusion of our works-supported sports prototype programme in the American Le Mans Series we have kept up with the latest technological advances. Now we will begin with detailed research in order to evaluate the various concept alternatives for our new car. These obviously depend on how the regulations for the year 2014 look in detail. In principle, these regulations are interesting for us because the integration of our hybrid technology in the vehicle concept is one possible option.”
Held every year since 1923, the legendary 24-hour race at Le Mans draws an annual crowd of more than 200,000 spectators to the French region of La Sarthe.
Around the world, this long-distance motor racing classic is viewed as one of the greatest challenges for man and machine. For Porsche, Le Mans is not only the place of famous victories and the ultimate proving ground. It is also their spiritual home.
Hans Herrmann and Richard Attwood claimed the first overall victory for Porsche in 1970 with the legendary 917 short-tail. The 16th and by now last overall win was secured by Laurent Aiello, Stéphane Ortelli and Allan McNish in 1998 with the 911 GT1. In the years 2008 and 2009, the Porsche RS Spyder sports prototype won the title in the LMP2 category.
16 overall victories. Countless records. That’s Porsche Motorsport in Le Mans. For more than 60 years: the fastest race cars. The toughest drivers. And now: the best scenes.
Stuttgart. Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, is doubling the driving fun to be had from the new 911 Carrera by putting a Cabriolet alongside the Coupé.
The debut of the new generation of the sports car classic is being followed only a few months later by the open-top models of the 911 Carrera and 911 Carrera S in the new 911 design.
What the Coupé began with the new aluminium-steel body, the Cabriolet continues with the all-new, unique hood: As a result, the typical 911 roof line is initially retained in its entirety.
Even when closed up, the Cabriolet cuts a fine figure. Intelligent lightweight design, even including the use of magnesium in the hood, ensures less weight and more sportiness, lower fuel consumption and greater comfort. With the open-top 911s as well, Porsche has managed to reverse the weight spiral and make the new Cabrio models significantly lighter than its predecessors.
Each of the two new Cabriolets has the same engine as its Carrera Coupé equivalent. The rear of the 911 Carrera Cabrio houses a 3.4-litre flat engine generating 350 hp (257 kW) of power driving the rear wheels through a seven-gear manual transmission. The open-top Carrera S comes with a 3.8-litre six-cylinder engine developing 400 hp (294 kW) and also a seven-gear manual transmission featured as standard.
That means that the open-top 911s as well are distancing themselves even further from the competition in terms of efficiency; both models consume less than ten litres of fuel per 100 kilometres (NEDC). The Cabriolets as well have the Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) available as an optional extra, delivering even lower fuel consumption and shorter acceleration times.
With the longer wheelbase compared with the predecessor model, the wider front track and the new electro-mechanical power steering, the new Cabriolets offer even sportier driving characteristics, greater precision and agility. Depending on model, there are other standard or optional active control systems available as well that further enhance the driving dynamics.
The 911 Carrera Cabriolet will be launched in Germany on March 3, 2012. The prices for the 911 Carrera Cabriolet start in Germany with 100,532 Euros, the 911 Carrera S Cabriolet starts with 114,931 Euros including value-added tax in both cases.
Rendering of the Porsche Experience Center in North America, in Carson, California. Front View (PRNewsFoto/Porsche Cars North America, Inc.)
New Southern California facility will be a center of excellence for vehicle and human performance education, from track experiences and driver training to car culture events
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 17, 2011 — Porsche Cars North America (PCNA) today announced it will build a second new Porsche Experience Center in North America, in Carson, California.
The purpose-built 53-acre facility and road handling course will be one of only five such sites in the world, including the original Porsche Experience Center at the legendary Silverstone Circuit in Great Britain and Centers in Leipzig, Germany and Shanghai, China. In May, Porsche announced North America’s first Porsche Experience Center, to be built as part of the company’s new U.S. headquarters complex in Atlanta, Georgia.
Porsche Experience Center in North America, in Carson, California. Aerial View (PRNewsFoto/Porsche Cars North America, Inc.)
The new West Coast location will be situated near the intersection of two major Los Angeles area traffic arteries, the 405 and 110 Freeways, and is just minutes from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Southern California is one of the largest Porsche markets in the United States. Groundbreaking is anticipated for summer 2012.
“Helping enthusiasts feel and connect with their vehicle’s full potential through intelligent engineering has always been a part of the Porsche philosophy,” said Detlev von Platen, President and CEO of Porsche Cars North America.
“Now, we are excited to turn dreams into reality for all driving enthusiasts by creating a safe, exhilarating environment for experiencing the pleasure of being in the driver’s seat.”
Given the Porsche Experience Center’s extensive lineup of facilities and programs, finding the perfect mix of education and enjoyment won’t be difficult, no matter the individual’s skill or interest level.
The centerpiece of the complex will be a world-class test track and handling course, including areas where special surfaces replicate rain, ice, and snow conditions. These training sections include the Ice Hill, where a steep slope, computer-controlled water jets, and a low-friction surface will challenge even the most experienced drivers and help them improve their real-world skills. A special off-road area will combine 45-degree declines and ascents – ideal terrain for unleashing a Porsche Cayenne.
Porsche Experience Center in North America, in Carson, California. Back Entry (PRNewsFoto/Porsche Cars North America, Inc.)
Driving enthusiasts can sign up for sessions with highly trained Porsche driving consultants, while new drivers can enroll in programs that teach technique for navigating today’s challenging roadways.
The Porsche Driving Experience isn’t just for adults – special programs for kids will ensure that even young enthusiasts get an early start in the art of automobile appreciation. Facilities, including track access, dining and conference spaces, will also be open to car clubs, corporate clients, and other special groups.
In addition to vehicle-based activities, the Porsche Experience Center will also offer programs focused on maximizing personal fitness, wellness, and athletic performance through its Porsche Human Performance Center.
This unique facility will feature a leading sports science laboratory and training programs, incorporating the latest techniques used in preparing Porsche race car drivers. Whether an individual’s competition vehicle of choice has four wheels or two – or consists of one’s own legs – the Porsche Human Performance Center offers customized experiences ranging from heat acclimation training and hydration strategies to individual wellness assessments.
Millions of residents and visitors will have easy access to the Porsche Experience Center: at LAX alone, over 59 million travelers passed through the airport in 2010. Another 15 million consumers reside within a 50-mile radius from the facility, and even more are based within a few hours travel time by car, including Orange and San Diego counties, California and major markets to the North.
“Our mission is to help everyone who loves automobiles and car culture to experience the pure joy, the art, and the science of driving,” said James Taylor, general manager, Porsche Experience Center.
“Whether you want to experience the latest Porsche models like the new seventh-generation Porsche 911, upgrade your personal performance as a racer or athlete, or host a car club event or a product launch, we look forward to working with customers to create a memorable program.”
The Porsche Experience Center will not just be for those who drive the track. The facility is designed for the whole family, offering a Porsche Cafe and gift shop along with plenty of trackside viewing areas. Additional fine dining facilities will be available for business meetings and events.
The Carson, California Porsche Experience Center will be designed by several of the world’s leading architectural partners. Atlanta-based design firm Cooper Carry has been charged with creating the buildings’ eco-friendly footprints and structures, while two of the leading test track architects and engineers in the world, Giffels/IBI and Tilke Engineering, are designing the driving facilities.
About Porsche Cars North America
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (PCNA), based in Atlanta, Ga. is the exclusive U.S. importer of Porsche sports cars, the Cayenne SUV and Panamera sports sedan. Established in 1984, it is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Porsche AG, which is headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, and employs approximately 220 people who provide parts, service, marketing and training for 194 dealers. They, in turn, work to provide Porsche customers with a best-in-class experience that is in keeping with the brand’s 63-year history and leadership in the advancement of vehicle performance, safety and efficiency. At the core of this success is Porsche’s proud racing heritage that boasts some 30,000 motorsport wins to date.
Podium Renenn 2: Kevin Estre (F), René Rast (D), Christian Engelhart (D) Porsche Mobil1 Supercup
Stuttgart. On the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, René Rast crowned his championship season in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup with his fifth win.
Podium Renenn 2: Kevin Estre (F), René Rast (D), Christian Engelhart (D) Porsche Mobil1 Supercup
Driving the VELTINS Lechner Racing run Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, based on the lightweight 911 GT3 RS street sports car, the German won the final race on the ultra-modern Formula 1 circuit in the capital of the United Arab Emirates on Sunday.
René Rast (D) Porsche Mobil1 Supercup GP Abu Dhabi 2011
On Saturday, second place was enough for him to successfully defend his title in the world’s fastest international one-make race series.
René Rast (D) Porsche Mobil1 Supercup GP Abu Dhabi 2011
In high summer temperatures, Rast took up the race from pole position to score an emphatic lights-to-flag victory. This season he clinched wins in Monaco, on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife at the Porsche Carrera World Cup, in Silverstone and at the 200th Supercup race on the Grand Prix track of the Nürburgring.
And again in Abu Dhabi he was in a class of his own: Rast saw the flag 5.342 seconds ahead of Frenchman Kévin Estre (Hermes Attempto Racing), the winner at Monza and recipient of the rookie classification title as best Supercup newcomer. Third place went to Germany’s Christian Engelhart, who won the season-opener in Istanbul for his Konrad Motorsport squad.
After René Rast secured the title, five drivers battled for vice championship honours.
One of those was Nick Tandy. But after scoring his first Supercup win on Saturday, bad luck hampered the Briton in race two. After the start he moved briefly into the lead but braked far too late and hit the rear of Rast’s Porsche. With a damaged radiator he was forced into retirement.
One small consolation: As the driver with the greatest number of fastest race laps he received the Tudor Fastest Lap Award and took home a valuable Tudor wristwatch.
Start, Nick Tandy (GB) in front Porsche Mobil1 Supercup GP Abu Dhabi 2011
Tandy’s retirement opened the way for Norbert Siedler. Driving for VELTINS Lechner Racing, the Austrian didn’t have much luck in the race finishing seventh, but it was enough to secure the vice championship behind his teammate René Rast.
Norbert Siedler (A) Porsche Mobil1 Supercup GP Abu Dhabi 2011
Third went to Poland’s Kuba Giermaziak (VERVA Racing Team), the winner of the Budapest and Spa-Francorchamps races, who didn’t find his stride at the double-header events in Abu Dhabi and was unable to use his – albeit theoretical – chance to claim the title.
Kuba Giermaziak (PL) Porsche Mobil1 Supercup GP Abu Dhabi 2011
Mathias Lauda experienced a special conclusion to the season. Driving for the Konrad Motorsport Austria team, the son of racing legend Niki Lauda finished in the top ten for the first time in tenth at his maiden Supercup season.
René Rast (winner):
“That was a finale that you can only dream of as a champion. My car ran perfectly from the first to last lap. I messed up the start a little so that Nick drew level with me, but I immediately put on the pressure. He then made a mistake in braking and when he pulled back onto the track he hit the right rear of my Porsche. Afterwards I had a free run and used my advantage well. I won the most important races this season, the Porsche Carrera World Cup on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife, Monaco, Silverstone and the 200th Supercup race on the Grand-Prix circuit of the Nürburgring – the season couldn’t have gone better for me and my team.”
René Rast (D) Porsche Mobil1 Supercup GP Abu Dhabi 2011
Kévin Estre (second):
“The second podium result of the weekend – I’m very pleased with that. It was a fitting conclusion to my very successful season. I was the best rookie in all the races I contested. Winning the rookie of the year award was my main goal this year. This makes me as happy as I was after my first Supercup win in Monza. Now I want to build on these successes next year.”
Kevin Estre (F) Porsche Mobil1 Supercup GP Abu Dhabi 2011
Christian Engelhart (third):
“That worked out well. I kicked off the season with a podium result in Istanbul and now concluded it on the podium in Abu Dhabi. The race was relatively trouble free. I didn’t have a chance to get past Kévin but there was such a gap behind me that I had nothing to worry about.”
Christian Engelhart (D) Porsche Mobil1 Supercup GP Abu Dhabi 2011
Race result
1. René Rast (D), VELTINS Lechner Racing, 31:16.212 minutes
2. Kévin Estre (F), Hermes Attempto Racing, + 5.342 seconds
3. Christian Engelhart (D), Konrad Motorsport, + 9.291
4. Sean Edwards (GB), Team Abu Dhabi by tolimits, + 13.559
5. Jeroen Bleekemolen (NL), Team Abu Dhabi by tolimit, + 13.686
6. Kuba Giermaziak (PL), VERVA Racing Team, + 23.472
Final standings after 11 races Driver
1. René Rast (D), 181 points
2. Norbert Siedler (A), 145
3. Kuba Giermaziak (PL), 140
4. Sean Edwards (GB), 140
5. Nick Tandy (GB), 129
6. Jeroen Bleekemolen (NL), 129
Stuttgart. His sunglasses are his trademark. White rims and coloured mirror glass – they could almost come from the hippy commune era.
René Rast (D) Porsche Mobil1 Supercup GP Abu Dhabi 2011
But René Rast, who celebrated his second straight title win in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup in Abu Dhabi on Saturday is anything but Mr Razzle Dazzle.
“I’m more of a quiet type. But if there is reason to celebrate I don’t hold back,” says the 25-year-old from Steyerberg in Germany. And he grins as cheekily as a student who places a drawing pin on his teacher’s chair and waits for him to sit down.
René Rast (D) Porsche Mobil1 Supercup GP Ungarn 2011
At the wheel of the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup fielded by VELTINS Lechner Racing, he took off into the season as the clear favourite.
René Rast (D) Porsche Mobil1 Supercup GP Abu Dhabi 2011
But the year started slowly. At the season-opener in Istanbul he finished fifth, and in Barcelona he had to settle for seventh.
“That was nothing like the start I imagined,” he says, “but it was no reason to panic. Perhaps we were too confident after winning the title in 2010.” Naturally he felt the pressure from the huge expectations – but he didn’t lose his composure. “I approach every race cool and calm, anything else doesn’t work.”
René Rast (D) Porsche Mobil1 Supercup GP Abu Dhabi 2011
His patience paid off:
In Monaco he was back in force with his first win of the season. This success in the glamorous world of the rich and famous was well deserved with drivers having to change gears 34 times per lap through the twisting labyrinth of Monte Carlo.
René Rast (D) Porsche Mobil1 Supercup GP Abu Dhabi 2011
René Rast explains:
“That is an incredibly difficult task. But when you’re handed your trophy in the Royal Box you quickly forget about it.”
For the title defender, this success in the Principality on the Cote d’Azur was the spark he needed after such a slow start to the season. With his win on the legendary Nürburgring-Nordschleife, where the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup ran as part of the inaugural Porsche Carrera World Cup – the greatest Porsche race in history with 100 competitors from 25 countries – he celebrated the biggest success of his career.
“Winning this race was an unforgettable experience,” he says about his tour de force on the rain-sodden famed race track. “I’d never driven a Porsche on the Nordschleife prior to this and the conditions were really challenging. The key to success was that I didn’t make one mistake.”
René Rast (D) Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Deutschland 2011
After these two victories, René Rast was the hero of the hour in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup. And in Silverstone as well he proved unbeatable: On the legendary race track in the British Midlands he celebrated his third consecutive win. This catapulted him into the points’ lead. When the world’s fastest international one-make series returned to the Nürburgring for the 200th race in its successful history, René Rast was again the man to beat, and in typical Eifel conditions he continued on his winning streak with victory number four.
“That was a perfect race,” he remembers. “With regard to the championship, that was a great weekend for us.”
One of his greatest strengths is his boundless confidence. Even in critical situations he rarely loses the overview.
“René is not someone who makes silly mistakes when he’s under pressure,” says Kuba Giermaziak, who fought him hard for the title right to the final race in Abu Dhabi.
That is something the new champion has over all his rivals. “I believe in myself and I know what I can do,” he says. “Inside I’m just as tense as my opponents, but I just don’t show it on the outside.”
René Rast (D), Nick Tandy (GB), Kevin Estre (F) Porsche Mobil1 Supercup GP Abu Dhabi 2011
That is typical of René Rast:
He doesn’t regard the fierce competition in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup as a problem, but more as a challenge. And it was with this attitude that he competed as a tiny tot. At the age of four he contested his first race – in an electric car on a supermarket car park in Steyerberg. His opponents were good and twice his age, but still he won. Rast made a minor detour to motocross before his uncle put him in a kart. From this point on, he focused seriously on his racing career: 2003 and 2004 he contested the Formula BMW, 2005 he won the VW Polo Cup.
He climbed aboard a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup for the first time in 2007, and a year later was crowned champion of the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland. In his first Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup season he won most of the races, but concluded the year as runner-up. In 2010 he took home the championship.
On the way to successfully defending his title he was at times in the lead on the Hungaroring on the outskirts of Budapest, but technical problems with his Porsche 911 GT3 Cup forced him into retirement. Although he lost the points’ lead, he didn’t lose sight of the title.
René Rast (D) Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Deutschland 2011
Promptly at the race in Spa-Francorchamps, where he settled for second place (“if I don’t see a chance I’d rather leave it”), he was back at the top of the table.
René Rast (D) Porsche Mobil1 Supercup GP Abu Dhabi 2011
René Rast (D) Porsche Mobil1 Supercup GP Abu Dhabi 2011
René Rast (D), Team Lechner Racing Porsche Mobil1 Supercup GP Abu Dhabi 2011
And again in Monza he didn’t take any risks, saw the flag in second and was more than happy:
“Things look good for the championship,” he said. “Now we just have to be up near the front in Abu Dhabi and we should have it in the bag.”
He turned this comparatively simple tactic into deeds in the United Arab Emirates capital – and took home the title.
Hartmut Kristen, René Rast (D) Porsche Mobil1 Supercup GP Abu Dhabi 2011
In a review of the season in which he secured pole position three times and the fastest race lap twice, he comments on…
… successfully defending the title:
“I’m simply thrilled and relieved. It’s difficult to describe what it means to have won this championship two times in a row. This year was even tougher than last season because there were more drivers competing who were good to take the title. To do this despite experiencing a difficult start to the season is fantastic.”
René Rast (D) Porsche Mobil1 Supercup GP Abu Dhabi 2011
… the key to success:
“That is undoubtedly our streak of four wins. These successes were an enormous boost for our team and rather sobering for our opposition. We earned so many points through these wins that we didn’t have to take unnecessary risks at every race, but could be satisfied with second place.”
… his most wonderful win:
“There are two victories that shine over the others: Monaco and the Nürburgring-Nordschleife. Winning the race in Monaco in front of this unparalleled backdrop is something quite special for every race driver. And to be the first winner of the Porsche Carrera World Cup, the greatest Porsche race in history, will always be a highlight of my career. They were two extraordinary races this season that I won.”
… his VELTINS Lechner Racing team:
“It’s a team that every driver wishes for. We all clicked right from the start and we never had any real problems. And if things did get difficult, like at the beginning of the year when the first races didn’t go as we thought, we all found a way to overcome these hurdles. Now we know there are no problems we can’t solve.”
René Rast (D), Team Lechner Racing Porsche Mobil1 Supercup GP Abu Dhabi 2011
… his strengths:
“My main strength is surely my consistency. I’m quick on all tracks. There is not one circuit where I would say it doesn’t suit me. Moreover, I don’t make many mistakes. I spend a lot of time analysing data. Often I’ll lie awake in bed and think about how I can become even quicker.”
… his dreams:
“To land a works cockpit is the dream of all race drivers, mine as well. I hope that this dream will be fulfilled one day.”
René Rast (D) Porsche Mobil1 Supercup GP Abu Dhabi 2011
René Rast (D) Porsche Mobil1 Supercup GP Abu Dhabi 2011
René Rast (D) Porsche Mobil1 Supercup GP Abu Dhabi 2011
René Rast (D), Nick Tandy (GB), Kevin Estre (F) Porsche Mobil1 Supercup GP Abu Dhabi 2011
Stuttgart. René Rast has already achieved his goal before the final race of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup: Clinching second place at the wheel of his Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, the German from VELTINS Lechner Racing secured the championship title at the first of two final races in Abu Dhabi.
René Rast (D) Porsche Mobil1 Supercup GP Abu Dhabi 2011
Britain’s Nick Tandy (Konrad Motorsport) celebrated his first win of the season on the Yas Marina Circuit in the world’s fastest international one-make race series.
Nick Tandy (GB) Porsche Mobil1 Supercup GP Abu Dhabi 2011
On the ultra-modern Formula 1 circuit in the capital of the United Arab Emirates, Kévin Estre pulled to the head of the field from pole position.
René Rast (D), Nick Tandy (GB), Kevin Estre (F) Porsche Mobil1 Supercup GP Abu Dhabi 2011
Behind the Hermes Attempto Racing pilot from France, who has already secured the title of the BBS rookie classification in Monza, René Rast initially followed in second place. Nicky Tandy in third then put the title defender under immense pressure, and with Rast’s sights firmly set on claiming the title he finally let the Briton overtake.
René Rast (D) Porsche Mobil1 Supercup GP Abu Dhabi 2011
While Rast observed the fight at the front from a safe distance, Nick Tandy wasn’t at all ready to settle for second. Last year’s vice-champion had finished in second place four times this season but had yet to pocket a win which he was now determined to do. Tandy attacked the leader whenever he saw the chance and pushed the young Frenchman into making errors. He then used one of these opportunities to manoeuvre into the lead which he held to the flag. Aside from his first win of the season, he also claimed the honour of the Tudor Fastest Lap Award for the driver with the highest number of fastest laps, and was awarded a valuable Tudor wrist watch.
Nick Tandy (GB)
Porsche Mobil1 Supercup
GP Abu Dhabi 2011
With his 450 hp Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, based on the lightweight 911 GT3 RS street sports car, René Rast also profited from a minor error of Kévin Estre near the end of the race and secured second place.
Fourth position went to his Austrian teammate Norbert Siedler, who moved into second overall in the championship. VELTINS Lechner Racing clinched the team classification title.
Video by: Formula One Management (FOM)]
Although the fight for the title has been decided, suspense is guaranteed at the final race of season on Sunday: Trailing Rast as the new champion are five other drivers keen to take home runner-up honours.
Nick Tandy (winner):
“My first victory at last. I’ve waited for this for the entire year. It’s great that I have now finally achieved this. It was a very interesting race. Kévin was setting a blistering pace, René and I took our time watching him and hoped that he’d maybe make a mistake, which he did. Congratulations to René on his title win. After my victory today I’m heading into the race on Sunday feeling very confident. ”
Nick Tandy (GB) Porsche Mobil1 Supercup GP Abu Dhabi 2011
René Rast (second):
“I’m simply thrilled and relieved. It’s difficult to describe what it means to have won this championship two times in a row. This year was even tougher than last season because there were more drivers competing who were good to take the title. We experienced a poor start to the season, but we fought our way out of this minor setback and found our old form again. This makes our success today even sweeter. In the race I tried to keep out of any trouble. Nick was quicker than me, so I let him pass. After that I just concentrated on reaching the flag safely. But then Kévin made a mistake so I used the chance. Thanks to my team for all they have done to make this victory possible.”
René Rast (D), Team Lechner Racing Porsche Mobil1 Supercup GP Abu Dhabi 2011
Kévin Estre (third):
“That was a tough race. To sit in the lead with René and Nick behind you is not exactly easy. I was determined to finish on the podium and I achieved this despite making a few small mistakes. So from this point of view, I’m pleased and I now look forward to tomorrow’s race.”
Start, Kevin Estre (F), René Rast (D) vorne Porsche Mobil1 Supercup GP Abu Dhabi 2011
Race result
1. Nick Tandy (GB), Konrad Motorsport, 31:15.317 minutes
2. René Rast (D), VELTINS Lechner Racing, + 1.549 seconds
3. Kévin Estre (F), Hermes Attempto Racing, + 6.232
4. Norbert Siedler (A), VELTINS Lechner Racing, + 6.658
5. Christian Engelhart (D), Konrad Motorsport, + 10.235
6. Sean Edwards (GB), Team Abu Dhabi by tolimit, + 10.382
Points’ standings after 10 of 11 races Drivers
1. René Rast (D), 161 points
2. Norbert Siedler (A), 136
3. Kuba Giermaziak (PL),130
4. Nick Tandy (GB), 129
5. Sean Edwards (GB), 126
6. Jeroen Bleekemolen (NL), 117
Teams
1. VELTINS Lechner Racing, 291 points
2. Team Abu Dhabi by tolimit, 240
3. Konrad Motorsport, 218
Stuttgart. The Motorsport Newsletter regularly provides information on Porsche Motorsport around the world.
French GT Championship: Beltoise and Pasquali are the champions
Pro-GT by Almeras: Laurent Pasquali, Anthony Beltoise
French GT-Championship
Anthony Beltoise and Laurent Pasquali brought their campaign to a successful end with their fifth win of the season at the 13th of 14 races during the final meeting in Le Castellet (29/30 October).
Pro-GT by Almeras: Laurent Pasquali, Anthony Beltoise
French GT-Championship
With this, the pair secured the French GT Championship title with the Porsche 911 GT3 R of the proven Pro-GT by Almeras squad.
Pro-GT by Almeras
French GT-Championship
At the last race of the year, the freshly-crowned champions clinched second. Patrick Bornhauser and Laurent Groppi wrapped up the season as third overall in a Porsche 911 GT3 R fielded by Larbre Compétition.
Larbre Compétition: Patrick Bornhauser, Laurent Groppi
French GT-Championship
Spanish GT Championship: Strong finish earns title for Manuel Giao
Drivex-Team: Manuel Giao, Miguel Angel de Castro
Spanish GT-Championship
Victory and second place at the final round of the Spanish GT Championship on the Circuit de Cataluña near Barcelona (29/30 October) was enough for Portugal’s Manuel Giao to take out the title. Giao shared the cockpit of the 911 GT3 RSR run by the Drivex team (Madrid) with Spaniard Miguel Angel de Castro. Two wins at the penultimate race weekend in Jerez catapulted Giao (15/16 October) to the top of the points’ table.
British GT Championship: Trackspeed defends team championship
After Gregor Fisken and Tim Bridgman’s win in June with the Porsche 911 GT3 R of Trackspeed in Brands Hatch, fourth place at the final round of the British GT Championship in Silverstone (8 October) was enough for their British squad to retain the team title. The best Porsche pilot in the 2011 drivers’ classification is last year’s champion and owner of the Trackspeed team, David Ashburn, in third place.
US GT Championships: Porsche pilots net two titles
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, Brumos Racing:
(l.-r.) Hurley Haywood, Leh Keen, Andrew Davis, Dan Davis.
Grand-Am GT, Lexington/Ohio
Andrew Davis and Leh Keen won the Grand-Am GT Championship with a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup fielded by the famed Brumos Racing team.
And another perfect result in the American World Challenge:
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup: Patrick Long
World Challenge, Laguna Seca
Works driver Patrick Long won the GT Championship title driving TruSpeed’s 911 GT3 Cup, which handed the squad the team championship.
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup: Patrick Long
World Challenge, Laguna Seca
Porsche took home the manufacturers’ title.
Belcar Endurance Championship: Goossens and Soulet celebrate title with win at final
After 72 gripping laps, Marc Goossens and Maxime Soulet came out on top by a nail-biting five hundredths of a second over a Ferrari at the last race of the Belcar Endurance Championship in Spa (23 October). The Belgians had already taken the championship title early with a victory in Prospeed Competition’s Porsche 911 GT3 R on the first weekend in October at the penultimate round in Zolder.
International GT Open: Gianluca Roda crowned vice-champion
Autorlando Sport: G. L. Roda
International GT Open
Clinching vice-championship honours in the GTS class for GT3 race vehicles, the 2011 season ended successfully for Gianluca Roda.
Autorlando Sport: G. L. Roda, P. Ruberti
International GT Open
At the wheel of Autorlando Sport’s Porsche 911 GT3 R, Roda had won both races at the penultimate weekend in Monza.
P2, Autorlando Sport: (l.-r.) P. Ruberti, G. L. Roda
International GT Open
One point shy of the leader in second, he travelled to the finale on the Circuit de Cataluña near Barcelona (29/30 October), but his retirement from the second race after finishing the first in fourth robbed him of his title chance. Autorlando Sport ranks second in the team championship.
Japanese Super GT: Porsche 911 GT3 R on third
P3, Team Hankook KTR: (l. – r.)Masami Kageyama, Keiichi Suzuki, Tomonodu Fujii
Japan Super GT
Tomonodu Fujii and Masami Kageyama secured second place from the eighth and final event on the Twin Ring Motegi (15/16 October).
Team Hankook KTR: Masami Kageyama, Tomonodu Fujii
Japan Super GT
The pair took up the race from the pit lane after their Hankook KTR Porsche 911 GT3 R underwent repairs shortly before the start.
Team Hankook KTR: Masami Kageyama, Tomonodu Fujii
Japan Super GT
The squad and its drivers brought their first year of competition to a successful conclusion with an impressive third place in the championship.
Carrera Cup Asia: Keita Sawa champion after heart-stopping finale
LKM Racing: Keita Sawa
Carrera Cup Asia
Definitely not for the faint-hearted: At the twelfth and final race on the Shanghai International Circuit (23 September), 26-year-old Keita Sawa from Japan snatched third place and the championship title in the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup of LKM Racing with a difference of just one-point over Rodolfo Avila (Team Jebsen) from Macao.
R. Avila, A. Imperatori, K. Sawa
Carrera Cup Asia
Third overall in the fiercely-competitive Cup went to Alexandre Imperatori.
Carrera Cup Deutschland: Nick Tandy champion at second attempt
Nick Tandy (GB)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 09 Hockenheimring 2011
With three wins, four other podium results, a fifth place and just one retirement, last year’s runner-up Nick Tandy from Great Britain (26) claimed the championship title in a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup run by Konrad Motorsport.
Team: Nick Tandy (GB)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland 2011
Tandy is the first British driver to take home the title in the 22-year history of the German Carrera Cup.
René Rast (D), Sean Edwards (GB), Nick Tandy (GB)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 09 Hockenheimring 2011
Vice-championship honours went to his compatriot Sean Edwards, whose performance contributed to his Deutsche Post by tolimit crew securing the team championship.
Sean Edwards (GB)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 09 Hockenheimring 2011
Carrera Cup France
Carrera Cup France: Ten straight wins earn Kévin Estre the championship title
AS Events: Kévin Estre
Carrera Cup France
From the guest appearance of the Carrera Cup France in Nogaro in the southwest of France late April to the final race in Le Castellet at the end of October (29 October), Kévin Estre pocketed ten consecutive wins in the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup fielded by AS Events.
AS Events: Kévin Estre
Carrera Cup France
AS Events: Kévin Estre
Carrera Cup France
After this string of successes, the 23-year-old new champion from Lyon ranks 113 points ahead of second-placed Sylvain Noël. A total of twelve races made up the 2011 calendar.
Carrera Cup Great Britain: James Sutton reclaims the title
SAS/Redline: James Sutton
Carrera Cup Great Britain
After 19 races and second place at the final round in Silverstone (16 October), James Sutton (26) once again walked away with the championship.
The SAS/Redline pilot, who was also the champion of the Carrera Cup Great Britain in 2007, wrapped up a thrilling year with a seven-point lead over his teammate Michael Meadows, who was forced to pit with a faulty tyre during the decisive final round. SAS/Redline won the team title, Nick Tandy won the last race.
Carrera Cup Italia: Alessandro Balzan defends his title
EbimotorsAlessandro Balzan
Carrera Cup Italia
At the penultimate race weekend in Vallelunga (16/18 September), Ebimotors pilot Alessandro Balzan picked up an early title win.
EbimotorsAlessandro Balzan
Carrera Cup Italia
Still, with the second straight championship title under his belt, this didn’t prevent the 31-year-old from keeping up the pressure.
EbimotorsAlessandro Balzan
Carrera Cup Italia
Balzan pocketed victory number seven and eight at the final meeting in Monza (15/16 October). Marco Mapelli was crowned vice-champion.
Ebimotors: Alessandro Balzan
Carrera Cup Italia
Carrera Cup Japan
Carrera Cup Japan: Hideto Yasuoka wins all races to become champion
Garmin Porsche: Hideto Yasuoka
Carrera Cup Japan
Eleven wins from eleven races: With this immaculate balance, 28-year-old Hideto Yasuoka concluded the season on the Twin Ring Motegi (23 October) as the undisputed champion.
P1, Garmin Porsche: Hideto Yasuoka (m.)
Carrera Cup Japan
Garmin Porsche: Hideto Yasuoka
Carrera Cup Japan
Runner-up behind the Garmin-Porsche pilot, who took up the final round as poleman, was Akira Fujita. Fujita snatched the vice-championship trophy from Kazuyoshi Takamizawa in a last ditch battle at the final race.
Garmin Porsche: Hideto Yasuoka
Carrera Cup Japan
GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East: Abdulaziz Al Faisal leads after first race
GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East
Abdulaziz Al Faisal (m.)
An Austrian kicked off the new season of the GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East with a win on the Dubai Autodrome on the first weekend in November: Clemens Schmid won race one from pole position.
GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East
The two-time champion, Prince Abdulaziz al Faisal, came second, but nailed the points’ lead of the drivers’ classification after winning race two of the weekend. Next meeting: at the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi (11/13 November).
Race notes:
Driving a Porsche 911 GT3 RSR for the Turin-based Victor Racing team, Victor and Giovanni Coggiola win the GT2 title of the Italian GT Championship after seven race weekends.
Victory for Lucas Luhr and Arno Klasen in Manthey Racing’s 911 GT3 R at round nine of the Nuerburgring Long Distance Championship (15 October).
With three wins from a total of ten races, Porsche draws level with Audi on the list of the very best. No other race car has turned the fastest race lap more than the 911 with four lap records.
The fight for the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup title is decided at the double-header finale on the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi as part of the Formula 1 weekend (12/13 November). Aside from points’ leader René Rast, title contenders are Kuba Giermaziak, Norbert Siedler and three other drivers.
Things go down to the wire as well in the Carrera Cup Australia, where New Zealander Craig Baird travels to the final in Sydney (2/4 December) holding a healthy points’ lead after three wins in Surfers Paradise (22/23 October) ahead of his second-placed compatriot Daniel Gaunt.
Porsche factory driver Marco Holzer
2011 12 Hours of Sebring
Darren Law
Andy Lally
Porsche Everyday Dedeporsches Blog 