Dyrham Park Hill Climb - SPIRIT OF THE 60s

These photos were taken at the recent 1961-65 Dyrham Park Hill Climb re-enactment near Bristol. The event was a great success, with beautiful weather and a great range of cars, including some that took part in the original event.

Lots of people attended too, probably more than expected for this modest event, causing some local traffic problems on the local roads.

The event maintained a very relaxed atmosphere and it was great to see Paul Dickinson with his fantastic Volkswagen Type 3 Notchback. There were also escorted runs up the original track.  Take a look on the Bristol Motor Club website for more info and entry list.

Paul Dickinson and John Robbins with the Notchback tackling the hill course..

Porsche 997 GT3 RS 4.0 - The final chapter?

Evo Magazine get an exclusive interview with development driver Andreas Preuninger at the unveiling of the new 500bhp 4.0-litre GT3 RS, the final episode of the Porsche 997.

Porsche Commercial - Engineered for Magic. Every day

Clever Porsche advert from the US ticks all the quirky boxes as well as the anti-sexist and anti-racism ones. Well, how many Mums do you know who collect other people's kids from school in a canary yellow 911 Turbo? The truth is, Porsche build sports cars with genuine everyday practicality, a feat few other performance makers can match.

Mayfair 911

A recent walk around Mayfair proved that even completing a fashion based errand for my girlfreind can present Mr Motor Tweeter with a blog opportunity. The streets are truly lined with gold - Bentleys, Ferraris and rather nice old 911s..

Stirling Moss Acquires Porsche RS 61

British motor racing legend, Sir Stirling Moss has purchased the Gooding & Co Amelia Island auctioned 1961 Porsche RS Spyder, one of the last Spyders built by Porsche that used the potent 4-cam engine. Just one week ago Sir Stirling fell three floors down a lift shaft in his own home, breaking multiple bones and chipping four vertebrae in the process.

Still in hospital recovering, the recent purchase should cheer him up as he acquired the Bob Holbert, Thomas Payne and Millard Ripley 1962 Watkins Glen SCCA National-Winning RS 61. Stirling himself raced the Porsche RS cars of the early sixties and very nearly won the 1961 Targa Florio in a similar car.

Lot 55 receieved a winning bid of USD1.705 million including the buyers premium. Delighted with their latest purchase, Stirling and his wife Suzie commented, "this makes a wonderful 30th Wedding Anniversary present” and added “its something to look forward too” when he recovers from his injuries.

Here is the full specification of the car Stirling has bought:

• The Bob Holbert, Thomas Payne and Millard Ripley 1962 Watkins Glen SCCA National-Winning 1961 Porsche RS 61
• Chassis No. 718.070
• Engine No. P90505
• One of only fourteen RS 61’s built
• Exceptional US racing history with 13 Wins and 20 Podium Finishes in SCCA National Competition
• One of the few RS 60/61’s with original bodywork
• Coachwork by Wendler
• Impressive, known ownership history from new, to which we can add Sir Stirling Moss OBE
• Correct Type 547 engine and Type 718 gearbox
• 1,678 CC DOHC Air-Cooled Boxer 4-Cylinder Engine
• Twin Weber carburettors
• Approximately 180 BHP at 7,800 RPM
• 5-Speed manual gearbox with limited slip differential
• 4-wheel finned alloy drum brakes
• Independent front suspension with trailing arms and torsion bar
• Independent rear suspension with wishbones and coil-over shock absorbers
• Eligible for the Colorado Grand, Tour Auto and the Le Mans Classic

Porsche 918 Concept Hybrid Spyder

Hot on the heels of Porsche's hybrid GT3 R racer, the sensational 918 Hybrid Spyder has crawled out from under the blankets at Geneva today. Mating a mid-mounted race bred 3.4 litre V8 with a pair of front axel mounted electric motors, this sleek answer to Audi's R8 and e-tron supercars, places Porsche at the forefront of high performance hybrid technology.

Each electric motor produces 109hp which, when used in conjunction with the 500hp RS Spyder derived naturally aspirated V8, results in 718hp! With all that power but still capable of returning 78mpg and 70g Co2/km the 918 Spyder secures the future existence for high powered, highly efficient supercars. Smaller in body than a Carrera GT, the 918 possesses Boxster proportions, albeit capable of a very un-Boxster-like 0-62mph in 3.2 seconds and 194mph.

Resembling an intimidating hungry shark, Porsche designers have adopted styling cues direct from Porsche royalty, the Le Mans winning 917. Brimming with exciting new detail, the 918 is not shy in admitting a racy appearance. Side exit exhausts sit menacingly close to futuristic new wheels hiding electric motors and ceramic brakes. Let's just hope they put it into production.

Porsche have released a slick new video entertaining the idea that they designed the technology for this car over 100 years ago. So, are you still happy with your McLaren MP4 order Sir?

Source: Autoblog

Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid

Based on the current 911 GT3 R Porsche have annouced the arrival of their new Hybrid race car. Powered by the same rear mounted 480 hp 4.0 litre flat six the R Hybrid also carries two electric motors up front powering the front wheels. Located in the passenger floorwell sits a flywheel capable of spinning up to 40,000rpm which stores kinetic energy from braking. Once full energy is stored an extra 120kw is directed to the front wheels, (the equivalent of 160hp). Available in six to eight second bursts the technology is similar to the KERS system used by the Williams F1 team and would provide a useful overtake power surge or improved fuel economy.

Entered into the Nurburgring 24 Hours in May, the 911 GT3 R Hybrid will act as a running 'racing laboratory' car in order for a more refined, full-on assualt at Le Mans in 2012.

Very forward hybrid thinking from Porsche I feel. Expect hybrid Porsche road cars by 2015 then.

Source Autoblog & Next Autos

Porsche Art Posters

In order to market Porsche's colourful history in motor racing the factory commissioned dozens of highly original and artistic posters commemorating race wins and iconic events since the 1950s. Produced in limited quantities and often donated to dealerships and race teams the timeless artworks speak volumes whether you are a Porsche fan or not.

Recently posted on the Porsche Media website here are a few of my favourite.