RENNSPORT REUNION V, Sept. '15

[John Z Goriup]

………..to continue

Finally got back from my vacation and have made time to complete my RENNSPORT REUNION V presentation. I am planning the largest selection of phoitos I have ever posted to cover one event, and trust the membership can sympathize that such an effort entails hours and hours at the computer, so I won't be posting it all in one sitting, rather, this will be a protracted affair over the next couple of days as I have some free time in my normal day. I hope you will find it worth your time to visit repeatedly.

To introduce some organization into this coverage, since after all, RENNSPORT is a fairly monumental happening, I have divided things into some basic categories to facilitate the flow of how the event played out, and to hopefully make some sense out of what may appear to be just chaotic random images put up helper-skelter.

1. General coverage of the paddock and pit area and of racecars ( over 500 this time around ) and privately owned Porsches of interest also present in the pits.

2. The wonderful, impressive, memorable and beautifully presented CHOPARD HERITAGE DISPLAY tent containing historic and epochal Porsches from the beginning to the latest motorsports offerings in one place, essentially a history of PORSCHE racing from the very first attempts to today. With some exceptions these cars were generally not started and/or driven on the track, rather provided a reliable place to view and study the history of the marque in covered comfort anytime during the days of RR V - a personal favorite place to spend time and shoot.

3. The covered "Le Mans Garage", where race cars were displayed when not being driven to and on the track for racees or demonstartion laps and group photographs.

4. PORSCHE PLATZ - the factory area where surprisingly good German food ( all locally produced ) was featured, as well as autograph sessions, the "living legends" hung out, and the latest Porsche offering were shown.

5. PCA and various Club parking areas and Corrals.

6. The vendor / commercial areas.

7. The track.

As I've indicated before, an internet photoessay such as this certainly is far from the ideal venue to present an event of the importance and magnitude of a quadrennial RENNSPORT weekend in a cogent and cohesive format, but I trust it will serve to capture at least some of the ambiance, atmosphere and sights of the actual event and bridge the gap between now and some future TV special show God knows when, and who knows what they'll feature, and 'quicky' postings of a few random photos proving little else other than the poster was there……..and maybe it will help convincve those who for the umpteenth time yet again lament not going this time to make absolutely sure they start to make concrete plans to attend the next one……….wherever it may be held and if there even is a next one !!

Enjoy,……... and as always, remember that what you are about to see is only a small portion of the images I took and don't forget that I sent a bunch to Dilger for event coverage to be featured in the last 2015 issue of the ESSES. I'd be happy to put up additional photos of subjects not shown - if I have something worthwhile to show- and answer specific questions and inquiries.

JZG

Part 1: the paddock and general pit area

[John Z Goriup]

Next set. It was a startling sight to run into four RS Spyders in a row in the Gunnar Racing pits……….but then on the other hand, who more capable and competent enough to take good care of such a spirited and high-tech, thorough-bred herd than them.

A fascinating machine, and a splendidly representative example of 21st century motorsports at the highest levels.

The new Targe ( photo #8 ) is a friend's custom ordered personal car in actual Mexico Blue, not the current, slightly different version of this shade that the factory offers as a standard choice, i.e. Riviara Blue.

[John Z Goriup]

…..and another set. Photos #8, 9 & 10 are of a beautifully original '67 911S, owned since the car was but a couple of years old by one of the Senior founding members of the ESRegistry, and has always been a well-maintained race car - recently sold to another ESReg member who fully intends to continue the tradition of racing it at every opportunity.

[John Z Goriup]

……and some more, including photos #2 & 3 of Bobby Rahal's newly restored '73 RS, Ser. # 1009 - nicely done and refreshingly not over-restored like so many of the recent RS restorations we've all seen; in fact, my only objection is that awful hood badge, a Porsche authorized item, but obviously just another flawed reproduction in a Porsche-labelled package. On that note, I'll let the following rant serve as my reply to Haasman's post titled " What is Porsche Classic group doing wrong". Addressing the parts issue only at this time, what they're doing wrong in my opinion is that they allowed way too much time to pass without reacting to the burgeoning demand over the years for authentic, genuine, legendary Porsche quality 'Original Teile' for older Porsche models, thus allowing the growth of cottage industries engaged in the manufacture of reproduction Porsche parts without factory input and/or participation, mostly made outside of Germany and in general of unacceptable quality.

I think it's pointless to get down to details and ask for more classic parts until the corporate attitude and motivation towards being fully engaged in the classic parts business changes fundamentally from one of being reluctantly pressured by client demand into establishing a 'Classic' department for the purpose of being able to claim that you're in the classic parts business and then to supply 'factory-approved' parts for the old cars by merely repackaging existing repro parts, as opposed to the establishment of a dedicated, competent, and fully management-supported Daimler-Benz style Classic department that is truly committed to providing products and services that well and truly replicate all aspects of the original such as fit, materials, appearance, dimensions, performance, durabilty, etc.) based on critical, clearly identified standards and rigid internal inspection / comparisons to the originals…….and to Hell with the price. Sadly & unfortunately, instead, it appears they are perfectly satisfied simply checking off one crappy, cheaply-made, inaccurate knock-off after another from their bucket list of items they have been pressured and persuaded to supply to the early Porsche community.

It is my absolute conviction that their Classic department's parts offerings will continue to be nothing more than an irritating afterthought - for both PORSCHE and its clients, and an embarrassment to a once great and unique manufacturer of sports cars as long as this attitude persists. Given the current roiled situation at VWAG, I don't believe Porsche's needs for resources in this relatively minor area of their business are anywhere near large enough to warrant top-management's attention, and make no mistake, that's where the mandate for the required change in corporate culture must originate if it is to be successful…… in Porsche's eyes the classic / retsoration market's nowhere near large enough, and most significantly, the budget for the necessary effort simply isn't available, and the situation isn't likely to improve in the foreseeable future given VWAG's desperate need for money to stave off finacial disaster - in short, I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for things to get better.

End of angry editorial.

[John Z Goriup]

……and another 10 images, starting with photo's ##1, 2, & finishing with photo #10 of a new 4.0 liter Singer, in fact the very car tested in the latest issue of AUTOMOBILE magazine to a well-desrved favorable review. What a beauty !

[911MRP]

Thanks John. Those of us on other side of the "pond" and couldn't make it to the event appreciate you sharing all this.

[John Z Goriup]

Thank you, 911 MRP, - the perfect intro to the next set of 10 - leading off with 3 stationary shots of one of UK's premier Porsche bloke's car who did make the trip - Josh Sadler's ( founder and CEO of AUTOFARM in Oxfordshire ) impeccably done, fast and solid '70 911 ST.

[911MRP]

Thank you, 911 MRP, - the perfect intro to the next set of 10 - leading off with 3 stationary shots of one of UK's premier Porsche bloke's car who did make the trip - Josh Sadler's ( founder and CEO of AUTOFARM in Oxfordshire

Pleased to see a British contingent made it to the event ... Josh and the Autofarm team are long established independent Porsche specialists here in the UK - they have done work on my car from time to time. I understand Josh sold the business to some of the management team earlier this year but is still involved in a kind of heritage director role so guess he has a bit more time to enjoy such trips. He/his business has probably done work on the majority of RS in the UK at one time or another (plus very many other special P cars) since he and a partner founded the business around 1973.

[John Z Goriup]

Another group. Attention to the smallest aspect of the program was one of the most pleasant surprises - it subtly demonstrated the hand of a master organizer with a fine touch for important and meaningful detail. Please note the traditional European gold wreath with German flag ribbons and festooned with the words "Sieger" ( winner in German ) on the hood of the Glöckler Porsche in photo #7, indicating it was a Class winner.

Photos #4, 5 & 6 show a magnificently restored and prepared '66 911, built and maintained by Phil Bagley's Klub Sport Racing Inc. organization from Riviera Beach, Florida.

[John Z Goriup]

The next set starts out with a pair of detail shots of a '63 ELVA_Porsche Mk VII sports racer - powered by a flat-fan F2 4-cam motor, this car won the '63 Road America 500.