Factory-Entered Racing 928s
 

Friends:

In 1983, Porsche built a 928S with an aluminum chassis/body and shipped it to Brumos Racing for the 1984 Daytona 24 Hours (also the 962's first race). Drivers were Richard Attwood and Vic Elford plus Americans Howard Meister and Bob Hagestad. They started 72nd overall, 30th in the GT Class. The 928S ran without a snag, but the 962 quit, so the factory mechanics switched to the 928. Needing nothing except a little engine oil now and then, the 928 finished 15th overall, 4th in GT. Today it’s in the Porsche museum in Stuttgart.

Like Howard Meister, Bob Hagestad was active in the Trans Am series in the 1970s; his Lakewood, Colorado, Porsche dealership (founded by his father, Vern) still exists under different ownership, and Bob now lives in the Dallas area.

Do any of you have photos or other information on this or any other Porsche factory 928 racing entries?

Thanks,

Frank

Friends:

Here's a link to a forum with a discussion of racing 928s:

http://forums.autosport.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=47174

Frank

Where are you getting your information? It sounds very interesting.

Frank,

I spoke with Vic Elford in regards to the car you speak of at Rennsport Reunion. The man beamed with a smile and stated he loved the 928 and that he wished the factory would have continued their efforts to establish the 928 as a racer. My friend Constantine has done a lot of research on the car and we both spoke with the man (forget his name) who is the director of the museum. There are plans for some restoration of the car and for it eventually to be placed on display. For now though it's tucked away and not on display. Constantine has some pictures and more info on the car. I'll see what he can send me.
You are corect about starting 72 overall however I thought it had finished 14th (according to VE) overall but I could be wrong.

I would love to hear more about this car Baron.

Fabio:

Books, what we all used to read before the internet! Not sure which one, though, as I have hundreds of Porsche books and just fell across something and found those facts. Start with Porsche, Excellence Was Expected, by Karl Ludvigsen and go from there.

When I get time, I'll check on the 14th vs 15th, too.

Frank
Toad Hall Motorbooks

Friends:

Here's a pic: http://www.racingsportscars.com/photo/1984/Daytona-1984-02-05-092.jpg

Frank

Thanks for posting that! To bad I can't save it to my hard-drive ;-(

I exchanged e-mails with a guy who claims to own a factory build 928 racer with an all aluminum chassis...he was in Australia and inquiring about turbocharging the car.

Here is the car as it sits at a Porsche storage facility.

Hoped you saved the photo as it was removed at the request of the source.

Look at the tires on that thing. Maybe it's the angle but they are huge! Especially the front. I have 245's on the front and they look tiny compared to that.

I'm not sure what size they are however I run 275's on the front of my track car.

Please ask for pictures especially of the interior and it would be cool to hear the story behind it!

You're going to get your chance at Turbo'ing a racer ;)

All aluminum chassis, that sounds a bit like "owner enthusiasm" to me. ;)

If I had a factory built racer I don't think I would be changing it.

What size rim and offset? Did you roll the front fenders? I would love wider tires up front.

I have 295's in the back and they are real tight. On 17x10 twist wheels 55mm offset I believe. I think my fronts are 17x8 twist with 55mm offset.

I can't remember the offset however the wheels are Fikse FM-5 17x10 front with 275 and on the rear 17x11 with 315. Fenders are rolled no spacers. Only rub is in the front on the inside fender well when I lock the steering wheel all the way left or right.

Nice! I figured with the right offset I could fit a little more meat in the rear, The front has got me. Guess I need to go measure things up.

Call Dave Roberts at 928 Specialists and he'll probably know exactly what you need for the tire size you want to run.

Just noticed your tiny side view mirrors. Too cool.