1973 Porsche IROC RSR

Highlights

PORSCHE 911 RSR IROC // CHASSIS 0124 // MOST SUCCESSFUL IROC RSR // EX FOLLMER // DONOHUE

General Description

EXTERIOR
For 1973, FiA Group 4 homologation and special GT’s took on a new form – enter the Porsche 911 3.0 RSR. With a larger front air dam, wider steel arches and the renowned whale tail rear spoiler, 15 of these fantastic machines would be ordered for a new series in the US by Roger Penske – the International Race of Champions.

Here we have not only an original IROC entrant, Chassis 0124 is the most successful chassis to have raced in the series. Having been restored by top classic restoration and race specialists – Karosserie Stimming (who include Walter Rohrl amongst their driving team) the car is in fabulous condition having been part of a significant Porsche collection.

The paintwork presents beautifully in a uniform and consistent hue all around the car, not often the case with track optimised examples. With only one or two light chips to the rear arches to report, the front air dam and rear wing present as the should alongside excellent fit and finish of all trims and rubbers.

INTERIOR
The attention to period correct detail on board is second-to-none, with only a front passenger seat and extinguisher plumbing setting the car apart from the paddock at Riverside in 1973. The cabin has been sympathetically updated with safety in mind but pleasingly retains its character and originality where possible – dials, switch gear and controls remain untouched finished with a magnificent 3.0 RS steering wheel alongside the IROC gearshift sticker. The Recaro seats, barely used and in excellent order, are equipped with 4 point harnesses.

By using GRP panels, plastic side windows and stripping out all but the most essential items of interior trim, the RSR barely tipped the scales at 900kgs.

ENGINE & TRANSMISSION
The pace in development from RS to RSR over a 2 year period involved significant work to the engine – capacity increased from an initial 2.7 to 2.8 then 3.0 with special ‘high butterfly’ fuel injection, bigger valves, higher compression and racing cams producing a reliable 300 horsepower at 8,000 rpm. For the series finale at Daytona, and having had the engines sent back to Germany, the cars were dyno’d at an average of 316hp.

Having been rebuilt to exacting spec, the IROC specification engine is simply a work of art.

WHEELS, TYRES & BRAKES
The Fuchs wheel design is symbolic amongst classic Porsche variants and original set fitted do not disappoint with huge 11 inch rears and 9 inch on the front. All four corners matched to period Michelin rubber.

Supplied with finned 4 pot brake calipers and discs found on the iconic 917, the braking system also features dual master cylinders to ensure fantastic stopping power.

About this specific vehicle

HISTORY FILE
Initially supplied as a spare car alongside 0040 Birch Green and 0042 Jade Green, 0124 Black did not compete in Race 1 of the inaugural IROC series.

However, as is the nature of one make series with cars suffering damage, it would not be long before the car took the grid with George Follmer in Race 2.

Follmer would start 9th and battle through the field to secure the win – a debut victory for 0124! For Race 3, Mark Donohue would start from pole by virtue of a DNF in Race 2. The All American legend would dominate from lights to flag with a resounding second victory and in doing so ensured a 100% winning record for 0124. Given the car did not compete in Race 1 or the series finale at Daytona, it won the only 2 races it ran in and was the only ever IROC to win two races.

The most successful IROC RSR would then be sold to prominent racer Al Holbert, who later ran Porsche North America’s Motorsports Division.

Holbert campaigned 0124 successfully in the 1974 IMSA Camel GT and Trans Am series;

– Daytona: Peter Revson 2nd
– Road Atlanta: A.Holbert 1st
– Lime Rock TA: A.Holbert 1st
– Lacuna Seca: A.Holbert 1st race DNF, 2nd Race 4th
– Road America: A.Holbert 3rd
– Ontario: A.Holbert 1st Race 31st, 2nd Race 4th
– Mid-Ohio: Peter Gregg & A.Holbert 1st
– Road America: A.Holbert 3rd
– Charlotte: A.Holbert & E.Forbes-Robinson 6th
– Daytona: A.Holbert 2nd

Unfortunately a testing accident at Mid Ohio brought an early end to 0124’s racing career before leading Porsche aficionado and author John Starkey purchased the car from Holbert’s workshops in 2007. The following year, the car was sold to Ulrich Schumacher who was keen to return the rare RSR to its original IROC livery and specification. In 2009, Schumacher instructed Karosserie Stimming, one of the most respected German Porsche restoration specialists, to bring the car back to it’s former glory.

The car still has the correct 911/72 engine (6840026) which was subject to a thorough rebuild alongside the gearbox. All racing history and movements in the US are well documented and also feature in the Matt Stone book – The IROC Porsches with original Fahrzeugbrief, road registration papers and restoration details included in the history file.

As a company famed for it’s racing DNA, Porsche Motorsport does not come any purer than this. Given the iconic badge, the hall of fame driving roster and incredible success this car achieved in period; Chassis 0124 has to be one of the most significant racing 911’s in existence.