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Posts tagged rennsport reunion
Long Term: 2011 Mini Countryman: October 2011
Nov 2nd
Filed under: Crossover, Mini, Long-Term Garage
The last time we updated you on our long-term 2011 Mini Cooper S Countryman All4, it was in Northern California with senior editor Lavrinc. Since then, we’ve driving the car down to Southern California, although not before it served as our mode of transportation for the Rennsport Reunion at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. We’ve also taken a trip to Phoenix to check out the Local Motors Rally Fighter (look for a feature soon), and driven the Countryman plenty around Los Angeles, doubling our car’s mileage in the process. Thanks to a majority of those miles being on the freeway, we’ve averaged a solid 27.39 mpg, a number that falls right in line with the official rating of 25/31. Our best stint was 29.3 mpg, all freeway miles, coming back from Phoenix.
If anything, spending spending five-plus hours in the Countryman at once has revealed some new likes and dislikes. Follow the jump to read more about them and what life is like for the Countryman in Southern California.
Continue reading 2011 Mini Countryman: October 2011
2011 Mini Countryman: October 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Nov 2011 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Video: Watch this Hotchkis Porsche 962 obliterate Laguna Seca at Rennsport
Oct 21st
Filed under: Motorsports, Classics, Etc., Videos, Porsche, Celebrities, Racing
There are many things to love about the Rennsport Reunion. Stacks of beautiful Porsche metal, the chance to meet racing legends face to face and the sound of historic race cars barking at the paddock walls all make for an experience unlike any other. But for us, the best part is watching those vintage racers take to a track like Laguna Seca in anger. This year, Mark Hotchkis hopped behind the wheel of the Hotchkis Porsche 962 for a few quick laps on the renowned road circuit once again. He wasn’t there for a leisurely Sunday drive.
Hotchkis wasted no time slicing through traffic and generally consuming tarmac like only a properly-wielded 962 can. The Replay XD guys were kind enough to strap a few dozen cameras to the car to give us an idea of the action from every angle, and the result is pretty entertaining way to blow four minutes and change. Hit the jump to check it out for yourself.
Continue reading Watch this Hotchkis Porsche 962 obliterate Laguna Seca at Rennsport
Watch this Hotchkis Porsche 962 obliterate Laguna Seca at Rennsport originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 Oct 2011 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Rennsport Reunion IV: 350 Porsches take to the track
Oct 17th
Filed under: Motorsports, Classics, Porsche, Racing
Porsche has a longer history of racing – and winning – at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca than perhaps any other car company. At the legendary track’s very first race in October of 1957, a Porsche 550 RS Spyder took the overall win of the SCCA National Laguna Seca Championship. Since then, dozens of Porsches have competed in and won races at the track, piloted by some of the most famous drivers in the world.
Porsche’s racing history at Laguna Seca is perhaps why the fourth edition of the Rennsport Reunion is the best yet. The five historic racing classes are packed with legendary race cars and drivers. Watching a trio of 935s spiral through the corkscrew makes you feel like you’ve gone back in time to the 1970s, or watching a 962 blast down the front straight transports you directly to the 1980s.
There were plenty of examples of Porsche’s modern race car on track at Rennsport, as well. Dozens of cars competed in the Cayman Interseries, 911 Invitational, 911 Cup and PCA races, and Porsche’s recently retired racing prototype, the RS Spyder, was also on track. The RS Spyder has a history at Laguna Seca as well, winning the LMP2 class in its debut at the track in 2005.
Whether it’s the vintage racers of the 1950s or ’60s, the flamboyant 935s and prototypes of the 1970s and ’80s, or the modern race cars, there was something for every Porsche fan at Rennsport IV. Click through our gallery above to see a sample of what was on track at Laguna Seca this past weekend.
Rennsport Reunion IV: 350 Porsches take to the track originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Oct 2011 16:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Rennsport Reunion IV: Porsche porn in the car corral
Oct 16th
Filed under: Classics, Convertible, Coupe, Etc., Porsche, Specialty, Sunday Drive, Racing
Autoblog has been walking the paddock of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca taking in Rennsport Reunion IV for the past two days… but that’s just a small part of the action. Today, we took a long stroll through the various Porsche corrals where the privately owned cars park during the event. While we’re suckers for race machinery, some of the automaker’s street cars are equally spectacular, even in standard trim.
Take a look through our massive gallery of cars, including those from members of the Porsche Club of America (PCA) and Porsche Owners Club (POC). Both organizations are loaded with very enthusiastic owners who take meticulous care of their mid- and rear-engined sports cars. Look carefully and you’ll spot everything from early cars all the way to the latest 997 GT3 RS 4.0 – even a rare RUF Turbo (on a 993 platform).
Our personal favorites include the 930, GT2 RS, RS Ducktails and the early 911-based RUF Turbo Targa. How about you?
Rennsport Reunion IV: Porsche porn in the car corral originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 16 Oct 2011 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Rennsport Reunion IV: 1978 Porsche 935 "Moby Dick"
Oct 16th
Filed under: Motorsports, Classics, Porsche, Racing
The year was 1978, and Norbert Singer was tasked with building the ultimate Group 5 Porsche 935. His sole objective was to deliver a win at Le Mans. Singer went immediately to work and pushed the FIA’s rules to deliver a lower, wider and more aerodynamic 935 than anyone expected. With a white body and a characteristic long swooping tail, it was dubbed “Moby Dick,” after Herman Melville’s great white whale.
But don’t get the impression that Moby Dick was just an aero kit on a 935, as there were other less visible changes to the race car.
The turbocharged flat six was bumped up to displace 3.2 liters and fitted with water-cooled heads. When it was time to race, the four-valve engine developed 750 horsepower. Since the Le Mans circuit runs clockwise, the driver’s seat was moved to the right to optimize weight distribution. On the Mulsanne Straight, it could hit a blistering 235 mph.
Moby Dick qualified third at Le Mans in 1978, behind two Group 6 prototypes (Renault Alpine and a Porsche 936). While it was the fastest on the straights, it finished in eighth place after an oil leak became an issue. It ran in two more races that year before Porsche retired it to the museum. Three clones were eventually built, and they raced well into the 1980s.
Rennsport Reunion IV: 1978 Porsche 935 “Moby Dick” originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 16 Oct 2011 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Official: 2012 Porsche 911 makes North American debut at Rennsport Reunion IV
Oct 14th
Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Porsche
Porsche pulled form-fitting covers off two of its all-new 911 models today at Rennsport Reunion IV, marking the first official unveiling of the vehicle in North America. While we were at the Frankfurt Motor Show in mid-September for the Type 991′s worldwide debut, it was an excellent opportunity to check out a few static examples up close and watch some of Porsche’s famed drivers take hot laps around the Laguna Seca race circuit in two similar models circling the track.
On display were two of the upgraded 911 S models, fitted with 3.8-liter flat-six engines that produce 400 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque (standard Carrera models have a 3.4-liter flat-six rated at 350 horsepower and 287 pound-feet of torque). A six-speed manual is standard in both rear-wheel drive models, with Porsche’s seven-speed PDK automated gearbox optional.
Bigger, better and lighter than its equivalent Type 997 predecessor, the new two-door promises impressive performance. According to Porsche, the 3,075-pound Carrera S will hit 60 mph in 3.9 seconds with the PDK (with Sport Chrono option), while the 3,042-pound Carrera will need 4.2 seconds to hit the same benchmark. Our first opportunity to drive is just around the corner, and we can’t wait to tell you about it.
Check out the photo gallery of the 2012 Porsche 911 above, and look for more coverage from Rennsport Reunion IV over the next few days.
2012 Porsche 911 makes North American debut at Rennsport Reunion IV originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 Oct 2011 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Video: Hurley Haywood talks about Rennsport history
Oct 9th
Filed under: Motorsports, Classics, Coupe, Performance, Etc., Videos, Porsche, Celebrities, Racing
Don’t get us wrong; we’re thrilled there are collectors with the means and patience required to hide vintage race cars in climate-controlled warehouses for decades. History needs its preservationists, but competition vehicles are meant to compete. Their sheet metal requires heat from a track-day sun as much as their engines require fuel. That’s part of what makes the annual Rennsport Reunion such an important event. Porsche owners from all corners of the globe bring out their race cars for plenty of track time as well as a low-key paddock car show.
Driven by the men and women who made the vehicles famous to begin with, the cars once again put fender to fender on the tarmac. For fans of the brand, there’s no better opportunity to get close to the cars or shake hands with the drivers. Hit the jump to check out a video of 24 Hours of Daytona winner Hurley Haywood speaking about what makes the event so special.
Stay tuned for live coverage of this year’s reunion October 14-16.
Continue reading Hurley Haywood talks about Rennsport history
Hurley Haywood talks about Rennsport history originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 09 Oct 2011 14:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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350 Porsches set to descend on Laguna Seca for Rennsport Reunion IV
Sep 30th
Filed under: Motorsports, Classics, Porsche
When Porsche announced that Rennsport Reunion IV would be held at the famous Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, we knew that the triannual celebration of the marque wasn’t something to be missed. We made sure our calendars were clear for the third weekend in October. Now that Rennsport is less than a month away, we have even more details about what’s in store for the event.
The last time Porsche was the featured marque at the Monterey Historics, nearly 150 examples took to the track. We thought that was a lot, but it will be nothing compared to when Porschefiles from around the world descend on Laguna Seca for Rennsport. According to the organizers, no less than 350 Porsches will take part in the on-track racing, and an additional 50 historic models will be on display in the paddock, many shipped over directly from the Porsche museum in Stuttgart. In addition, the newly released 2012 Porsche 911 will be making its first North American appearance.
We’ll be in Monterey for Rennsport in just a few weeks to provide you with daily live coverage, but until then you can read more about the Porsches that will be on display after the jump.
Continue reading 350 Porsches set to descend on Laguna Seca for Rennsport Reunion IV
350 Porsches set to descend on Laguna Seca for Rennsport Reunion IV originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Sep 2011 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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