Porsche 919 Public Debut at Ault Park Concours

[Doug E]

I volunteered again this year at the Ault Park Concours this past Sunday and made sure I arrived early enough to watch the 919 being unloaded for its public debut.

Apparently this was the same show car that Porsche used at the Geneva unveiling earlier this year.

Yes the car has been seen before but this was the first time it was being shown at a non-racing / open to the public event. Quite the scene to watch the handlers try and figure out how to move it once it was on the ground.

I've posted some pics below but they don't quite do the beauty justice. Can't wait to see the real car run this weekend !

Porsche also sent along the 991 RSR. I'll post a few pics of that and the other 911's that were in the show after the 919 pics.

If you ever have the chance to attend you won't be disappointed. Examples of this years special attendees included 2 GT 40's, a MK I and a MK IV, a Maserati C12, a Gurney All American Racer and a Jaguar XK-R. Lots of interesting other vehicles as well.

[Doug E]

[Doug E]

[Doug E]

Here's the 991 RSR ...

[Doug E]

A '74 RS 3.0 that ran Le Mans and an '84 SC/RS, 1 of 20 made ...





A 911 Sport Classic with a GT2 in the background ...

[porsche4life]

Wow!!! Awesome cars!

[Jim Richards]

Originally Posted by Doug E

A 911 Sport Classic with a GT2 in the background ...

Hi Doug! Would you mind stashing that Sport Classic away for me?

[dave 911]

Dang it, I should have gone! Cool pics Doug.

[Heel n Toe]

Has anything been written explaining the reason/s for that big, bulbous design of the leading edge of the front fenders?

In many ways, it doesn't make any sense aerodynamically, but you never know what can be discovered in wind tunnel testing.

I also wondered if it could be an advantage to the driver for being able to "locate" the front corners more easily in close quarters on the track with other cars, but that seems like a stretch. It looks like it would create more of a problem by obscuring the rear corners of other cars that are just in front of him and slightly to one side... especially to the left.

Originally Posted by Doug E

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by Heel n Toe

Has anything been written explaining the reason/s for that big, bulbous design of the leading edge of the front fenders?

In many ways, it doesn't make any sense aerodynamically, but you never know what can be discovered in wind tunnel testing.

I also wondered if it could be an advantage to the driver for being able to "locate" the front corners more easily in close quarters on the track with other cars, but that seems like a stretch. It looks like it would create more of a problem by obscuring the rear corners of other cars that are just in front of him and slightly to one side... especially to the left.

If you notice the top of the fenders are open. I have heard speculation the front fender design was to allow the air flow around the tires to flow out the top of the fender. They have to have room for the huge headlights needed to run at night and 200 MPH.

It would be interesting to hear the real reasons but I suspect that will not be discussed by Porsche until this design is surpassed.

[sc_rufctr]

Great photos. Thanks for posting.

But is that a skid plate on the front of the SCRS? I've never seen one like that before.

Originally Posted by Doug E

A '74 RS 3.0 that ran Le Mans and an '84 SC/RS, 1 of 20 made ...

[bell]

There was a funny article on jalopnik about how they couldn't get it off the transport skid lol

[Doug E]

Jim - I'll let you know when I'm ready to pass it on from my garage PM coming your way.

Peter - yes, that is a skid plate. Apparently this car was homologated for Group B rallying. Here's a closer pic of the plate.




Bell - that article was spot on ... it was almost comical. I was even in 2 of the pictures.

[rusnak]

Oh how special.

A "look at me" race car that wants to be a Concours car.

No win, no care. How about that?

[TheMentat]

Originally Posted by rusnak

Oh how special.

A "look at me" race car that wants to be a Concours car.

No win, no care. How about that?

LOL... The hard life of being a race car!

[tadink]

OK<

I'll MAN UP and say it - that 919 is FUGLY

whoa - I hope its fast 'cause it won't get any prettier just sittin' thar.

looks like they mounted the cockpit facing the wrong way -

I feel bad saying it - I wish it wasn't true - I hope it works.

I'd be tempted to keep it under a cover until the event -

TD

[Por_sha911]

Originally Posted by tadink

I'll MAN UP and say it - that 919 is FUGLY

Thank you. I was sitting here thinking, "Um, am I the only one noticing something here?"

[strupgolf]

Omg, that is one ucking fugly race car. The front fenders ??? Oh well, they know more then I do about speed. Hope the win and both finish.

[rcooled]

Originally Posted by tadink

...that 919 is FUGLY

Purpose-built race cars are now shaped by aerodynamics...not by designers. Gone are the days of gorgeous creations like this.

[OffCamber00]

Originally Posted by strupgolf

Omg, that is one ucking fugly race car. The front fenders ??? Oh well, they know more then I do about speed. Hope the win and both finish.

I think the beauty is in the purpose. They are definitely not sexy and evocative like the days of old. It's the function and engineering that make them beautiful. I could stare for hours on end just picking out all the fine details that have been built into them.

That is what i'm loving so much about sports cars over F1 these days. Strip the livery off F1 cars and you would be hard pressed to tell them apart. In contrast the Toyo, Audi and P car prototypes are all radically different. They make their power very differently and they make their lap times differently. Its so great to have this open set of rules that still enables close racing.