Showing posts with label porsche. Show all posts
Showing posts with label porsche. Show all posts

July 26, 2012

Pic post: 2003 Porsche GT3 RS

2003 Porsche GT3 RS 'Art Car'

Back in May I made the trek down to Georgia for Southern Worthersee, a VW / Audi car show held in the picturesque mountains north of Atlanta. It was a decent show, but like most car shows a little dull as far as cars sitting in a field not providing much in the way of a visceral experience. Yeah there were lots of nice cars, but nice cars alone do not make for much excitement if they're not doing anything.

2003 Porsche GT3 RS 'Art Car'

On the way south we managed to pop through the shop at Lufteknic and see what was new, as always, there was a lot to ponder, but what caught my eye was one of my own personal favorite race cars of all time, a 996 GT3 RS. For the uninitiated, Lufteknic is a Porsche specialist located in Richmond Virginia, handling any and all things Porsche, from service to race, restoration and more.

2003 Porsche GT3 RS 'Art Car'

Robert and Lufteknic have had a significant impact on this car's life thus far, having run the car with Hazardous Sports in the American Le Mans series, before arranging it's sale to one of his own customers once it was officially retired from competition. 

2003 Porsche GT3 RS 'Art Car'

The bright-orange pumpkin-colored GT3 RS looks more or less exactly as it did when it was campaigned, with one rather significant exception. Rather than the old sponsorship stickers or some completely new, dubious color combo that people seem to throw on race cars with reckless abandon, the owner saw fit to bestow a proper old-school art-car livery by Brazilian artist Patricia Secco.

2003 Porsche GT3 RS 'Art Car'

The effect is significant and perfect. Flowing with the lines of the 996 while having something to say on their own as well, the color pallet both compliments and uses the base bright orange paint as a key component. And if it happens to piss off the purists, all the better.

2003 Porsche GT3 RS 'Art Car'

Unfortunately we had to hit the road all-too-soon and didn't get a chance to talk shop or take in any of the other sights while we were there, but with any luck I'll be back down soon to continue documenting the wild array of cars that roll through the doors there each day. 

_WRS


May 4, 2012

Cars and Coffee Hunt Valley, MD: Porsche 911

Cars & coffee, Hunt Valley, Maryland

They've started up a Cars and Coffee here in the Baltimore area, and so far there have been some really pretty machines turning out. Weather has been crap the two times I've been (gray, cold, overcast) but tomorrow is looking to break the trend. I've been shooting a few pics, but I think from here on out I'll concentrate on a single car from each event which captures my eye.

Cars & coffee, Hunt Valley, Maryland

Last Saturday is was the beautifully turned out 911. Long hood, wide fenders, fat tires and a carb'd flat-six. What's not to love?

Cars & coffee, Hunt Valley, 
Maryland

With sunny skies promised for tomorrow there should be even more to see. There are a few nutters around here than run around in track-prepped GT3s with slicks, on the street. Rain tends to keep them away from the highways, but if it's clear and the weather holds, we could be in for a treat.

Cars & coffee, Hunt Valley, Maryland

_WRS

February 10, 2012

Video Post: Brumos at Daytona, from the eyes of Leh Keen




The Porsche channel on Youtube remains one of my favorites. Unique among car manufacturers, or at least it seems, they have a much more personal sort of approach to content. Quirky, different and refreshingly not stuffy or snooty, it's a sure-fire bet for some entertaining motorsport videos...

_WRS

January 14, 2012

November 28, 2011

Pic Post: The G&W Jenniferfund RSR

The Jenniferfund RSR


Our intrepid reporter on the inside of most things Porsche, Robert from Lufteknic Porsche, sent these pics over to me last week, of the Jenniferfund / G&W Motorsports 993 RSR. My favorite 993, and a car significant to both Robert and myself, in its way.  You see, Robert was crewing for G&W Motorsports back in 2000, and this car placed 3rd in the GTU class that year - the little aircooled 911 that could. After the vast majority of the then-new 996 GT3Rs dropped like flies with engine failure after engine failure, this little Porsche kept on going. Of course, after 24 hours of battle on the track it looked a bit different...

October 23, 2011

Video Post: In-car with the Hotchkis / Wynn's Porsche 962 at Rennsport IV




This video has made the rounds on a bunch of the usual sites, so you may have very well already seen it, but that doesn't mean it isn't worth sharing again. It's worth noting that this old war-horse of a 962 can pretty well take it to the much younger and more technologically advanced RS Spyders...and that's with 1982 technology more or less. The 962 of course has a standard syncromesh gearbox (Mark Hotchkis here is using a clutch!), while the RS Spyders are fully computer-laden and cutting edge with fully sequential gearboxes, traction control and every other driver aid which is legal. And yet, the 962 is as fast. And sounds better. And looks better. And is more exciting to boot.

Bring back the 962? Re-legalize ground effects? Yes please.

_WRS

October 19, 2011

Rennsport Reunion: (Porsche video) This is how we take a picture



We'll have a full report from intrepid reporter Robert Overholser, but in the meantime, feast your eyes (and ears) on this...

_WRS

October 10, 2011

From behind the pitwall: Petit Le Mans 2011


Petit Le Mans 2011\

The following can be attributed to Robert Overholser of Lufteknic Porsche, Richmond, VA. 

It's been a while since I was at the track for some ALMS crew work. It was refreshing and fun to be back in the action, almost a vacation to be away from the shop and doing something that I've enjoyed doing for a long time now. My good friend Marc at German Performance Service has been working with Black Swan Racing for the past 2 years.

 Petit Le Mans 2011

The past 2 years have resulted in Championships in the ALMS GTC class. Road Atlanta was packed with fans ready to watch the battles, and it was also one of the few races in recent memory where there was more competitors than slots available to race cars. A few were cut depending on qualifying results...

September 30, 2011

The Baltimore Grand Prix

Baltimore Grand Prix - ALMS race weekend

Approximately one month ago, Baltimore City, held the inaugural Baltimore Grand Prix. It was a double-header weekend featuring the American Le Mans series on Saturday, and IndyCar on Sunday. Despite the fact I was quite literally in the process of moving from New York to Baltimore, there was no way I was missing the ALMS on the streets of my hometown.

 Baltimore Grand Prix - ALMS race weekend

Open wheelers, let alone spec open wheelers, have never really done it for me, so I opted to finish moving on Sunday, but with the full blessing of the best wife in the world to go and enjoy myself, I was able to make it down on Friday and Saturday for the main event, the ALMS. And what a weekend it was.

Baltimore Grand Prix - ALMS race weekend

June 30, 2011

Porsche returns to Le Mans: 2014



Well this is exciting news - I wonder if they'll battle with Audi or if this is part of a master plan to let Audi bow-out and Porsche step back up?

_WRS

June 6, 2011

Axis of Oversteer enter the IMSA GT3 Challenge

Axis 997 gt3 cup

Axis of Oversteer, one of the better auto blogs out there in the big wide world of web, has just introduced the livery for their new Porsche GT3 Cup, and I have to say, it's pretty eye catching. Somewhat ironically,  despite it being a semi-professional feeder series for the American Le Mans Series, the GT3 Challenge has some of the better-looking race cars out there. It's like everyone who moves up forgets how to make a good looking livery once they go full-super-bigtime.

Anyways, we wish them the best of luck this weekend at their debut event, check out the full batch of pics and some video over at Axis of Oversteer.

_WRS

June 4, 2011

Pic Post: (vintage) Momo 935J and Rabbit Pickup Pit Vehicle

Momo935_Rabbitpickup

I referenced the Momo 935 pit truck in another post about a year ago, and here we have another shot with Dr. Moretti aka Mr. Momo, and the Momo Rabbit Pickup. I snagged this the the Pelican Parts forums, where there is a vast supply of vintage photos thanks to a few key members. Obviously this is a cutout of an ad for something, maybe Bosch?

Moretti had a certain fondness for Joest-built Porsche 935s, this one being an earlier model based on the standard 935 chassis, and the one pictured in the previous post being an aluminum tube-frame Joest Moby Dick copy. Yes. Aluminum tube-frame. You'll note that the car is sporting Penthouse Magazine co-sponsorship, and Moretti is accompanied by Dominique Maure who was the official spokeswoman of the Penthouse / Momo team. 


DeNarvaez Enterprises is a sponsor on the car as well, and some time after this picture was taken this Joest 935J was repainted in the traditional DeNarvaez racing colors of blue with a tri-color band of yellow, orange and red, while retaining less extensive Momo and Penthouse sponsorship. Based on the car and the paint-scheme, this picture was likely taken between in early 1981. DeNarvaez first ran with the Momo team in 1980 at the Daytona Finale.  Beginning in 1981 Mauricio DeNarvaez started driving full-time with Momo, so based on that and the settting I would bet this was taken at the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1981 where they finished 6th (DNF'd) with Charles Mendez.


_WRS



April 19, 2011

Pic Post: Porkers at Sebring

12 hours of Sebring 2011


Ever felt like you had way too much to do and couldn't seem to gain traction on any of it? Well that's been the story around here lately. Simply way too much to do and not enough time in the day, or perhaps motivation / brain power to go around and make it all happen. So because of this, I've been a little slow for updating. It's not for lack of wanting, just for lack of time.

12 hours of Sebring 2011

I've got a few things in line, waiting to be posted, the most interesting of which is almost certainly the IMSA GTI, but that will wait until next time.  First I will finally dig in a little more to Sebring. The event itself is so far in the past I hardly think it's worth re-telling the event itself, but why not throw up an all-Porsche post. Despite Audi being back in 2011 the Porkers are still my favorite,

Read on...


April 11, 2011

Pic Post: (vintage) Michael Keyser Sebring '76

Winning Porsche at Sebring 1976 and the end of an era.

Baltimore's own Michael Keyser scored an overall victory at the 1976 12 Hours of Sebring in this Porsche 911 RSR, set up and co-driven by the late great Al Holbert / Holbert Racing. I've said it once and I'll say it again...I was born in the wrong time.

Photo: Michael Keyser via 'Nigel Smuckatelli' Flickr

_WRS

April 7, 2011

Video Post: Porsche and Walter Rohrl at Targa Tasmania. Leg 1



Plus a little behinds the scenes about the rally master Mr Rohrl and the Porsche 911 SC that he drove here 30 years ago.

April 1, 2011

12 Hours of Sebring 2011, Wed-->Thurs

 12 hours of Sebring 2011

For the second time in as many years, the crew (myself and Josh) have made the trek 1200 miles south from NYC to sunny Florida for the most important and exciting endurance race that takes place on United States soil: the 12 Hours of Sebring. So far we know one thing for certain, it's a hell of an adventure no matter how you slice it.

March 9, 2011

Video Post: Team Falken Tire ALMS Sebring Testing



Our friends over at team Falken Tire just released this teaser video of their Sebring testing, with a little input from their new team manager Derek Walker, and (I think) they might just have one of the coolest intros I've ever seen. Totally #winning.

_WRS