Porsche Rennsport Reunion VI - Flacht Cup

Clay Koevary in his 2000 Porsche GT3R

As a bit of pleasant relief from the older historic Porsches was a race for more modern Porsches such as the recent GT3 cars.  The newest car was from as recent as 2016 whilst the oldest was from 1991. There were a number of well-known drivers competing from various eras and they included Cooper MacNeil, Kévin Estre, Jorg Bergmeister, Johannes Van Overbeek, Anfdew Davis and Jeff Zwart.  About fifty cars were entered of which about 35 started the main race.  This all led to fast and close racing.  In terms of speed they were as fast as the Porsche 962s.

Porsche GT3 cars at the Corkscrew.

The Porsche Rennsport Reunion is a unique event, that is held once every three or four years, dedicated just to classic and more modern racing Porsches, their drivers and the men and women who made it all possible.    Porsche Rennsport Reunion VI held over four days in September 2018 was again located at Laguna Seca like the last one in 2015.  No surprise as Laguna Seca is in California, which also happens to be the biggest market for Porsche.   This year the event was subtitled The Marque of Champions - a name that speaks for itself.  The event was also part of Porsche's 70th birthday celebrations.

The battle for the lead of the Flacht Cup race.

On the wonderful 2.238 mile Laguna Seca road course, seven groups of Porsche cars raced over the weekend.  The Flacht Cup event was for more modern Porsches such as 964, 993, 996, and 997 GT cars.  Flacht is near Stuttgart and is where Porsche have their Motorsport Centre that produces cars such as these.

Drivers

Kevin Buckler, Kees Nierop, Chad mcQueen, David Murry and Andrew Davis.

A number of Porsche GT drivers from the nineties and after were present as guests of Porsche.  A reminder of their Porsche GT careers is found below:
Kevin Buckler - GT class winner in the Daytona and Le Mans 24 hours of 2002 for Porsche.  Overall winner of the 2003 24 Hours of Daytona in a Porsche 996 GT3 RS.
Kees Nierop - Drove a Porsche 997 GT3 Cup car in the 2010 24 Hours of Daytona.
Chad McQuuen - The only son of Steve McQueen, he drove in the 2003 3 Hours of Daytona in a Porsche 996 GT3R.
David Murry - 1995 SCCA World Challenge Champion in a Porsche 911 Turbo and winner of two races in the 1997 Exxon GT series in a Porsche RSR.
Andrew Davis - Winner of the 2011 Grand Am GT Driver's Championship with Brumos Racing.

A 1994 Porsche 964 Bi-Turbo about to be lapped by the leader.

The Race
The cars are presented below in the order they finished in the main race.  Unfortunately, I did not stay for the main race and thus the pictures are from the excellent qualifying race on Saturday and Sunday's warm up.

Jorg Bergmeister won in this 2012 Porsche GT3 RSR.  He he leads the similar coloured second place car at the Corkscrew in Saturday's Qualifying Race.

Frenchman Kévin Estre was second in this 2010 Porsche GT3 RSR.

Cooper MacNeil was third in the 2016 WeatherTech Porsche GT3R.

Fourth was this 2008 Porsche 911RSR of Ernie Francis Jnr.

This 2016 Porsche GT3R driven by David Calvert-Jones was fifth.

Sixth was David Donner in a 2012 Porsche 997 GT3R.

This 2011 Brumos Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car was seventh driven by Andrew Davis.

Johannes Van Overbeek was ninth in this Flying Lizard 2004 Porsche 996 Cup.

Tenth was 2004 Porsche 911 996 RSR driven by Wade Carter.

A 2012 Porsche RSR driven by Josh Simpson was fourteenth.

A 2008 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car driven by Larry Webster was nineteenth.  Here he is at turn three.

Seen exiting turn four  is Chris frank in a 2000 Porsche GT3R.

1993 Porsche 964 RSR driven by Jeff Lewis.

2004 Porsche 996 GT3 RSR driven by James Sofronas.

Carl Toffelmire in a 1994 Porsche 993 RSR.

Robert Dalrymple in a 2013 Porsche GT3R

A 1991 Porsche 911 GT2 driven by Alex welch into seventeenth place.

Tim pappas in a 2016 Porsche GT3R

Exhibition Cars

2015 IMSA GT Champion, a Porsche 911 RSR.

Jeff Zwart's Pike's Peak car, a Porsche 911 GT2.  It still holds the record for a High Performance Showroom Stock Car.

For my recent Motor Sport blogposts click here.

John Etherton asserts his copyright to all of the photos on this blogpost.  However, you may post the photos elsewhere on the web as long as you credit the photographer, John Etherton, and this blog post, Rouenlesafx@blogspot.com and provide a link to this page.

John Etherton affirme son droit d'auteur à l'ensemble des photos sur ce billet de blog. Cependant, vous pouvez poster des photos ailleurs sur le web aussi longtemps que vous créditez le photographe, John Etherton, et ce blog, Rouenlesafx@blogspot.com et fournissez un lien vers cette page. 

Porsche traffic at the Corkscrew.   

Porsche Rennsport Reunion VI - Eifel Trophy

A 1969 Porsche 911S driven by Randall Smalley.

Although, I am not a fan of one make racing at all and frankly find a field full of Porsche 911s rather boring, this race still had something of interest to me, especially as I am a fan of the Porsche 914-6.

The Porsche Rennsport Reunion is a unique event, that is held once every three or four years, dedicated just to classic and more modern racing Porsches, their drivers and the men and women who made it all possible.    Porsche Rennsport Reunion VI held over four days in September 2018 was again located at Laguna Seca like the last one in 2015.  No surprise as Laguna Seca is in California, which also happens to be the biggest market for Porsche.   This year the event was subtitled The Marque of Champions - a name that speaks for itself.  The event was also part of Porsche's 70th birthday celebrations.

The first lap and a 914 is in the lead.

On the wonderful 2.238 mile Laguna Seca road course, seven groups of Porsche cars raced over the weekend.  The Eifel Trophy event was for cars such as Porsche 911 up to 2.5 litre, 911TR, 911ST and 914 and 914-6. . 

Behind the leaders a host of old 911s battle it out.

The Drivers
A number of Porsche 911 and 914 drivers from the sixties and seventies were present as guests of Porsche.

John Fitzpatrick, Dennis Aase, Willy Kauhsen, Vic Elford and Hurley Haywood.

As it was a long time ago a reminder about some of these drivers achievements in Porsche 911s and 914s.

John Fitzpatrick was 1972 European GT Champion in a Kremer Racing Porsche 911.
Dennis Aase raced a Porsche 911S throughout the seventies.
Willy Kauhsen won the 1968 24 hours of Spa-Franchorchamps in a Porsche 911L.  He also drove a Porsche 914/6 in the 1971 Targa Florio.
Vic Elford came third overall and had a class win at the 1967 Circuit del Mugello in a Porsche 911R 9shared with Gijs Van Lennep).  Vic also drove a 911L in the 167 and 1968 British Saloon Car Championship with some success and won the 1968 Monte Carlo Rally in a 911T.
Hurley Haywood dove a Porsche 914 in 1971 with Peter Gregg.  They won in Virginia, at Bridgehampton and at Summit Point.  In 1972 they drove a 911S winning at Virginia and Watkins Glen.

The Race

The winner of the Eifel Trophy, Thomas Gruber, in his 1971 porsche 914-6.

David Donohue was second in this 1968 Porsche 911T/R

This 1967 Porsche 911S driven by Nelson Calle came third.

Fourth placed Alan Terpins in his 1967 Porsche 911T/R really attacks the Corskscrew kerbs.

Fifth place Fritz Seidel at the Rainey Curve in his 1967 Porsche 911S.

The sixth placed 1971 Porsche 911S of John Coey leading a 914 and two more 911s at the Corkscrew.

A 1965 Porsche 911 driven by Matthew Goetzinger came seventh.

The eighth place 1967 Porsche 911 of Gilbert Hakim.

In ninth place was Kelvin Tse in this 1966 Porsche 911(one assumes the spoiler was added later).

This good looking 1970 Porsche 914/6 of Dener Pires came tenth.

Jeff Zwart was eleventh in this 1970 Porsche 914-6 GT.

Jeff Zwart leads another 914-6 GT down the Corkscrew.

Twelfth was another 1970 Porsche 914-6 GT driven by Edie Arrowsmith.

A rather different 914, the 1971 914-4 of Trevor Frank.  He finished fourteenth.

This pretty 1967 Porsche 911S driven by George Calfo came in seventeenth.

For my recent Motor Sport blogposts click here.

Exhibition Cars

I took a shine to this 1972 Porsche 911 ST.  It is of course the 1972 European GT Championship car of John Fitzpatrick who won the championship that year.

John Etherton asserts his copyright to all of the photos on this blogpost.  However, you may post the photos elsewhere on the web as long as you credit the photographer, John Etherton, and this blog post, Rouenlesafx@blogspot.com and provide a link to this page.

John Etherton affirme son droit d'auteur à l'ensemble des photos sur ce billet de blog. Cependant, vous pouvez poster des photos ailleurs sur le web aussi longtemps que vous créditez le photographe, John Etherton, et ce blog, Rouenlesafx@blogspot.com et fournissez un lien vers cette page. 

Porsche Rennsport Reunion VI - Werks Trophy

Chris MacAllister in a 1969 Porsche 917K exiting the Corkscrew on the way to fourth place in Saturday's race.

The Porsche Rennsport Reunion is a unique event, that is held once every three or four years, dedicated just to classic and more modern racing Porsches, their drivers and the men and women who made it all possible.    Porsche Rennsport Reunion VI held over four days in September 2018 was again located at Laguna Seca like the last one in 2015.  No surprise as Laguna Seca is in California, which also happens to be the biggest market for Porsche.   This year the event was subtitled The Marque of Champions - a name that speaks for itself.  The event was also part of Porsche's 70th birthday celebrations.

The Werks Trophy cars come out to play.  The Saturday morning qualifying race with the cars exiting turn 3 and heading in to turn 4.   

On the wonderful 2.238 mile Laguna Seca road course, seven groups of Porsche cars raced over the weekend.  Given the fact that I have been following motor racing for fifty years, one of my favourite races was the Werks Trophy for cars between 1964 and 1971.  Thus a race for Porsche 906, 910, 908 and 917 plus a few Porsche engines specials.  Who wouldn't enjoy that?  We must also remember that this was the era that Porsche went from class winners to overall winners at Le Mans and became Sports Car World Champions.   As well as the on track action, there were many cars on show from the era.  Most of the cars from both the race and the exhibition from the late sixties era are featured in this blogpost.  Importantly, Porsche invites its past and present drivers to the event.  Amazingly, there are still many of the drivers who drove the 906s, 907s, 910s, 908s and 917s still around.

A selection of drivers who were at the event.  From top left in clockwise direction - David Piper, Derek Bell, Jackie Oliver, Vic Elford, Brian Redman, Rudi Lins, Willi Kaushsen and Gijs Van Lennep.

A quick reminder of the achievements of some these legendary drivers -

David Piper - perhaps one of the most famous privateers from the era.  He raced a 917 scoring some second places in minor races and provided cars for the Steve McQueen film Le Mans.  Unfortunately, he lost part of his leg after crashing during the filming.
Derek Bell drove a 917 for the JW Automotive team in 1971.   He won the Buenos Aires 1000kms and the 1000kms of Paris that year.
Jackie Oliver drove for JW Automotive in 917s in 1971 as well winning with Rodriguez at Daytona, Spa and Monza.  He also set the fastest 917 time at Le Mans.
Vic Elford is truly one of the Porsche legends.  He drove the 910, 907, 908 and 917 winning at Daytona, Sebring, Targa Florio and Nurburgring.  Not to mention winning the Monte Carlo rally in a Porsche 911T.
Brian Redman drove for Porsche in 1969 and 1970 with incredible success in the 908 and 917.  He won at Brands Hatch, Spa, Monza, Nurburgring, Watkins Glen, Daytona and the Targa Florio.
Rudi Lins raced 906, 907, 908, 910 and 917s in the period 1967 to 1971.   He had podiums at Le Mans, Paris and at Kyalami.
Willi Kauhsen was another who raced all the different Porsches of this era including the original Pink Pig at Le Mans.   He won a couple of minor events in the 917.
Gijs Van Lennep of course won in the 917 at Le Mans in 1971.  He also took a number of other minor wins in the 917.

The Werks Trophy cars come around the Corkscrew for the main race.

The qualifying race and the race itself were both on Saturday and featured some enjoyable battles and drives through the field.   Both races were over 25 minutes.  In the main race the top four cars completed 17 laps.

The winner of the Werks Trophy was Gunnar Jeannette in this 1969 Porsche 908/2.

Bruce Canepa had an oil line come loose in the qualifying race and thus started from the rear of the grid.  He fought his way up to second place in this 1969 Porsche 917K.

Close battle for second place.

After a great qualifying race, Cameron Healy had to settle for third in the main event.   His beautiful ex-Vic Elford Porsche 908/3 won its class in Friday's pit lane concours competition.

917K, 908/3 and 917K race down the Corkscrew.

The fourth placed 1969 Porsche 917K of Chris Mac Allister in turn three.

 David Hagan won the battle of the lower powered cars with a good fifth place in his 1967 Porsche 910.  He he negotiates the Corkscrew in Saturday's main race.

Sixth place went to Richard Griot in this 1969 Porsche 908/2 Spyder.

Here is the seventh placed 1966 Porsche 906 driven by Wade Carter in the Rainey Curve.

Also in the Rainey curve, Donald Anderson in the eighth placed 1964 Bobsy SR3.

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Bobsy leads 910 at the Corkscrew.

Ninth was Bruce Marquand in his 1964 Elva Mk7.

Action at the Corkscrew.

Completing the top ten was another Elva Porsche.  Rod Emory is seen exiting the Corkscrew.  

Eleventh was Stephen Thein in this 1967 Porsche 910,.

A Porsche driver at the Pikes Peak Hillclimb in the nineties, Jeff Zwart was driving in the Werks trophy.

Twelfth was this 1966 Porsche 906 driven by Jeff Zwart.

906, 906, 910

Dener Pires in a 1969 Porsche 908/2 at the Corkscrew.

I only saw him in the qualifying race but here is Gregory Cambell in another 1964 ElvaMk7.

It was down to race but I only saw this 1967 Porsche 910/6 in the paddock.

The cars on exhibition in the Chopard tent and in the pits.

Beautiful Porsche 917 in 1971 Martini livery.

1970 Porsche 908/3 in Gulf livery.

1968 Porsche 907.  Note the horns.  I think this is Elford's 1968 Targa Florio winner.

Siffert and Redman's 1969 Spa-Franchorchamps 1000kms winner.

Another view of the same car.

If you missed my pictures from the 2015 Porsche Rennsport Reunion V, click here.

John Etherton asserts his copyright to all of the photos on this blogpost.  However, you may post the photos elsewhere on the web as long as you credit the photographer, John Etherton, and this blog post, Rouenlesafx@blogspot.com and provide a link to this page.

John Etherton affirme son droit d'auteur à l'ensemble des photos sur ce billet de blog. Cependant, vous pouvez poster des photos ailleurs sur le web aussi longtemps que vous créditez le photographe, John Etherton, et ce blog, Rouenlesafx@blogspot.com et fournissez un lien vers cette page. 

A Porsche 908/2 and the crowds during the pit lane concours.

Power unit of a Porsche 908/3.

Porsche 917K power unit.

Porsche 906 power unit.