9Elfer Posted October 24, 2011 Share Posted October 24, 2011 Hi All, Last weekend, my youngest son Matthew and I made the pilgrimage to what seemed like Porsche Mecca. Rennsport Reunion IV took place at Laguna Seca raceway, near Monterey California; and for 3 days we were treated to an amazing feast of Porsche's rich racing heritage. Here are a few pictures: The present Bugatti Veyron has a 16 cylinder engine, right? In 1971, Porsche equipped this 1971, Can-Am 917 spyder with a 16 cylinder engine. This 7.2 liter version produced 880 hp, but it was no match for Porsche's other option: 950 hp from a twin-turbo flat 12. The engine was obsolete before it was ever raced. A real snake's nest of fuel injection lines and ignition wires! This 1970, 917K was driven by Steve McQueen during the filming of the legendary race movie "Lemans". The car vanished for 30 years, but was discovered in a shed in the French country-side. It is now owned by Jerry Seinfeld. Son Matthew next to a 1984 McLaren MP4/2. Powered by a TAG/Porsche 1.5 liter V6 turbo, it delivered 3 consecutive driver's Formula 1 championships. This is the signature turn at Laguna Seca. Here are Porsches representing 3 eras of racing, about to descend in roller coaster style, the 18% grade of "The Corkscrew". Turn 6 during a Porsche 997 Cup race. Laguna Seca raceway is situated in the rolling hills above Monterey. The PCA organized a member's display of 911's, 1 for each model year of production! The North American unveiling of the 2012 911 Carrera took place at the Porscheplatz. Longer, wider yet lighter due to extensive use of aluminum, the new car looks fantastic! A row of "plastic Porsches". Construction techniques utilized in the late 60's consisted of tubular frames and fiberglass bodywork. Here from left to right a 908, 907 and a 910; all owned by the former American Porsche factory driver Joe Buzzetta. A gorgeous 1959 Porsche 718 RSR spyder. Cockpit view with shift pattern reminder! Not all cars on display were tracked. For example this R Gruppe, 911 RS tribute hotrod. The sign in the window said: For Sale, call Jerry. Seinfeld? No I don't think so....... The coveted early 70's power-plant: a twin-plugged, mechanical fuel injected, 2.7 liter RS engine. Porsche's last overall Lemans winner: the 1998 mid-engined, carbon fiber chassis GT-1 LM. Porsche's 918 RSR Concept car with hybrid tech. Now that Porsche intends to compete for overall honours at the 2014 Lemans, is this a look into the future? The hybrid technology has this flywheel generator sending up to 8 second bursts of energy to the supplemental, front wheel, 200+ hp electric motors. It sits next to the driver on the passenger floor. Finally, a high-light for me was breathing the fumes from this beast: the all conquering CanAm Porsche 917/10. Stay tuned for an article in an up-coming PCA newsletter! Marc and Matthew Schroeder Quote Link to comment
Rick Posted October 24, 2011 Share Posted October 24, 2011 (edited) Hello Marc (and Matthew) Thanks for sharing the pictures of what most certainly must have been a memorable trip. That event is on my bucket list for sure. f.y.i.: I have an upcoming trip to Germany and plan to take in Porsche's new Museum in Stuttgart. Another bucket list item of mine. sincerely; Rick Barnes, V.P. WRR Edited October 24, 2011 by Rick Quote Link to comment
Brodie Posted October 24, 2011 Share Posted October 24, 2011 Hi Marc, Amazing pictures and commentary. Can't wait to read your newsletter article. Thanks Brodie Quote Link to comment
Blair Posted October 24, 2011 Share Posted October 24, 2011 Hi Marc, Great trip for you and your son! What a blast to see so many historic Porsches and to experience them on the track. Blair Quote Link to comment
Guest barryr Posted October 24, 2011 Share Posted October 24, 2011 +10!!! Barry Hi Marc, Great trip for you and your son! What a blast to see so many historic Porsches and to experience them on the track. Blair Quote Link to comment
targacoupe Posted November 2, 2011 Share Posted November 2, 2011 Great pics Marc. I had the pleasure of attending this event as well. There was over 1300 Porsche's in the parking lots alone, all sorted based on model type. I could have spent the day just walking around the parking lots! It was so nice to have complete access to all the paddock areas and the track is laid out so you can walk to any part of the course. I was very impressed with this venue and only wish Calgary could have something remotely similar. Here's some of my pics. Porsche 959 with about 30,000 miles on it. http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6055/6296242647_88a5f9be66_b.jpg Group 1 - Gmund Cup race. http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6218/6296776660_b17b974c57_b.jpg http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6240/6296248419_6fb0b87335_b.jpg Porsche 904 http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6042/6296783558_8b3d5c4574_b.jpg Porsche 356 on 3 wheels through the corkscrew http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6057/6296781616_703cf00693_b.jpg Porsche Spyder http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6044/6296249013_195ca7415c_b.jpg http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6033/6296785874_4a3f68574e_b.jpg http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6049/6296786770_ef1bff3a37_b.jpg Row of GT3's and GT2's. This was the parking lot! http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6214/6296256523_f7f9c70212_b.jpg Battered 550 Spyder. http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6221/6296790334_05b87fdaed_b.jpg Quote 2004 Audi RS6 Avant 1994 Audi/Porsche RS2 Avant 1986 Porsche Carrera Targa (Sold) Link to comment
9Elfer Posted November 3, 2011 Author Share Posted November 3, 2011 Dave, Excellent pictures, especially the track shots!! Like you said, the access to everything is what made it so special. There is an opportunity for you and I to reminisce, as The Speed Channel will be broadcasting in mid-November, a 1 hour special on the Rennsport Reunion. I will post the schedule as a seperate item under "Miscellaneous". Marc Quote Link to comment
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