Museum Porsches to pit stop at Shannons S&M Spectacular
Two of Porsche’s most famous long-distance race-winning cars will make a high profile pit stop at the Shannons Sports & Muscle Car Spectacular at Queensland Raceway on June 26-27.
The legendary Porsche 935, winner of the World Constructors Championship in 1976 and 1977 and the GT1 road-version of the triumphant 1998 Le Mans 24 Hour winner will be amongst 300 fast and famous vehicles gathering at the circuit for a series of races, demonstrations and displays.
The race version of the Porsche 911 GT1 was piloted to victory at Le Mans in 1998 by Allan McNish, Laurent Aiello and Stephane Ortelli.
It was the first Porsche to feature a carbon fibre monocoque chassis to reduce weight and improve rigidity and was powered by a twin turbocharged, 3.2-litre, six-cylinder boxer engine producing 400 kW (550 hp) at 7,200 rpm. Its top speed was 350 km/h.
The striking Porsche 935 in Martini racing colours is arguably even more famous than its GT1 teammate. The 935 brought Porsche the World Constructors Championship in long-distance sports car racing in 1976, beginning a new dynasty of on-track success for Porsche with the ‘silhouette’ sports car formula.
Much of the 935’s legendary status comes from its unique appearance, with the car’s production Porsche 911 origins disguised by its aerodynamic flat nose and huge rear wing.
Powered by a turbocharged, 2.8-litre, boxer engine producing 434 kW (590 hp) at 7,900 rpm, the 935 had a top speed of 340 km/h depending on its gearing.
The two Museum cars will be chaperoned at the Shannons Sports & Muscle Car Spectacular by a bevy of other famous Porsches.
They include the ex-Allan Hamilton Porsche 911TR that finished a close second in the 1969 Australian Touring Car Championship to the Ford Mustang GTA of the late Ian ‘Pete’ Geoghegan, the 1976-model Porsche 934 that twice won the Australian Sports Car Championship – in 1977 and 1980 – in the hands of Alan Hamilton and Allan Moffat respectively and the rare 1959 Type 718 RSK Spyder of Brisbane Porsche enthusiast Peter Harburg.
In addition to races for GT3 Cup Challenge cars and other Porsches, the Australian Trans Am Championship will also be run at the meeting, with 17 American Muscle cars dating from 1965-1972 expected to battle on track.
Performax Qld. is supplying a new Camaro to act as the pace car for the Trans Am event, while the company will also display and demonstrate the very latest 2010 ZR1 Corvette – the only right hand drive version so far in Australia.
Entry to the Shannons Sports & Muscle Car Spectacular for adults costs $20 each day for qualifying and racing on Saturday, June 26 and all-day racing and demonstrations on Sunday, June 27, with a weekend pass $30. Entry for students 13-16 years and pensioners is $10 each day.
For further information contact Phil Ross of Shannons on 0418 269 056 or Qld. Raceway on 1800 RACERS. For competition entry forms visit www.qldraceways.com.au
