Event Features
Porsche Throws A Party: The Rennsport Reunion
By by: Blake Bradford & David Herlihey
May 7, 2002, 22:16

Much has been said about the Porsche name being rooted in endurance racing lore. To celebrate Porsche’s long and illustrious racing heritage, Porsche Cars of North America decided to throw one of largest gatherings of historical racing Porsches at Lime Rock Park, in Lakeview Connecticut. The Rennsport Reunion, rennsport means racing in German, was the greatest assemblage of Porsche racing cars ever in North America.

Representatives of all models and vintage of Porsche racing cars were present at the Rennsport Reunion, with most taking to the track to show what Porsche does best, make racing cars that endure the test of time. Walking through the paddock seemed like a trip back in racing history, as most cars were accessible to the average attendee. Many veterans and novice fans of the make were able to get acquainted with cars that were previously known only through books and pictures. Fans were able to see 550 Spyder’s raced in the Carrera Panamericana in Mexico and Le Mans. Porsche 906’s and 904/8’s that raced at the 24 hours of Daytona, 12 hours of Sebring and the 24 hours of Le Mans. Also at Rennsport were 917’s that raced at Le Mans and in the World Makes Championship as well as the fabulous Can-Am 917-30’s of Penske/Sunoco fame. The 956-962 series of cars were well represented too, with the IMSA Camel GTP Rothmans 962 and Le Mans winning Rothmans 956. Many of these were live and running machines at the Rennsport Reunion.



One of the highlights of the event had to be the running of the Sunoco 917-30’s fresh from restoration. The legend of these 1,100 hp monsters precedes them, winning the 1973 Can-Am championship in dominating style with six victories in eight races with the legendary Mark Donohue at the controls. Arguably the 917-30 has become Porsche’s signature car next to the 911. To hear these cars fire up in tandem is an aural treat that many have not had the pleasure of hearing. What made the event even more special is that attendees could literally stand right next to these cars as they were fired up and prepared to see duty on the track once again. The 917’s were not the only exception to that. Walking through the paddock one could be inspecting the engine bay of a Lowenbrau 962 raced in the IMSA Camel GTP series and next be talking to the owner/driver of a 550 Spyder or a 911/993 GT2 that was raced at Le Mans.

While the event was mainly about the Porsche cars, drivers make the racing history. The list of Porsche drivers in attendance read like a proverbial who’s who of motorsports. Brian Redman, winner of the 12 hours of Sebring twice, the 24 hours of Daytona twice and winner of the World Manufacturers Championship in a Porsche in both 1969 and 1970 was in attendance. Hurley Haywood, who won the 24 hours of Daytona no less than 5 times, as well as three wins at the 24 hours du Mans and two wins at the 12 hours of Sebring was at Rennsport meeting fans. Haywood has the unique distinction of winning all his Le Mans, Sebring and Daytona triumphs in Porsche equipment. Derek Bell, a five time winner of the 24 hours of Le Mans and three time winner of the 24 hours of Daytona greeted and signed autographs for Rennsport attendees. Also in attendance was Roger Penske and Paul Newman. Penske is best known for running championship race teams, most notably for Porschefiles was his Sunoco backed Can-Am 917-30 effort which netted a Can-Am title for Mark Donohue in dominating style in 1973, but Penske was also a competent driver campaigning a Porsche RSK in SCCA racing in his early driving years. Newman, as successful an actor as there has ever been also is an avid gearhead, and has raced in the 24 hours of Le Mans, finishing an incredible second in 1979 in a Porsche 935. The history of Porsche can not only be seen in their cars, but who has driven them over the years.



One of the other numerous highlights of the day had to be the 956/962 Challenge. Now one could think that racing these rather expensive cars would seem ridiculous, but that’s not what Porsches are about. Any notions that this was going to be a 956/962 low speed parade affair were shortly dismissed at the drop of the green flag. The memorable and trademark sound of the fluttering of wastegates filled the air. A testament to how hard the cars were being pushed is visible in the fact that the Brumos/Copenhagen 962 had an “off” and was severely damaged.

As a long time Porschefile, this single day was a dream come true. Rarely has such a collection of automotive racing history taken place. Porsche Rennsport Reunion served as a definitive reminder of how important of a role that Porsche has played in endurance/sports car racing over the years and hopefully in the years to come. Will we be seeing the Carrera GT in 20 years time at an event like this? One can only hope.

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