The Diary
Double Victory at the 6th Annual Spa Classic
Now in its sixth year, the annual Spa Classic is a set fixture on the historic motor racing calendar. This was underlined in 2016 when the date conflicted with the Monaco Historic Grand Prix, yet the event attracted over 17,000 race fans.
The Spa-Francorchamps circuit is as well known for its much loved undulating layout as it is for changeable weather conditions. At the 2016 Spa Classic, the track certainly lived up to its reputation with lovely spring conditions on Friday, followed by the odd hail shower on Saturday and Sunday.
Headlining the Spa Classic were the pair of Group C races run on Sunday. The star cars in the field were the Jaguar XJR-14 of Christophe d'Ansembourg, the Peugeot 905 of Dominique Guenat and the Porsche 962 of Mark Sumpter. It was most likely the first time these were pitched against each other since the 1991 World Championship and it was certainly the first time a Peugeot 905 was ever run at Spa. Unfortunately an incident in the second qualifying prevent the Peugeot from starting in the races. The XJR-14 did survive qualifying with d'Ansembourg setting the fastest time ahead of Mark Sumpter in the ultimate development of the works Porsche 962Cs.
Christophe d'Ansembourg had a great start but then made a mistake coming onto the straight and crashed into the wall. The damage was sufficient to prompt a retirement. The lead was taken over by Sumpter, who was in a close fight with Erwin France in a another 962C. After the pit-stops, Pierre-Alain France had taken over from his son and could not keep up with Sumpter. Ultimately he was also passed by Robin Ward in his Spice SE90C. The XJR-14 could not be repaired, so the results of the second race were virtually identical with Sumpter again winning from Ward and the Frances.
Around Silverstone with former BTCC Champion, Andrew Jordan
2013 British Touring Car Champion, Andrew Jordan, recently enjoyed taking two of my classic racing cars around world famous Silverstone. He drives both the 1997 911 GT1 "Evo" and the 1989 Turbo Mode Porsche 962C. Both videos are available to watch below.
911 Ice Driving in Sweden
I'm just back from a brilliant weekend with friends and colleagues in the Porsche world where we tried our hands at driving on lake ice courtesy of the team at Below Zero Ice Driving. The lake lies at a latitude of 63 degrees north, 6km from Kall in Sweden and the ice usually reaches about a metre deep.
It was a real challenge - but above all terrific fun with a variety of courses to drive in competition prepared 911s. I think all of us who went would thoroughly recommend the experience!
Events for 2016
This year's racing starts at the Goodwood Members meeting and then the Peter Auto Group C series driving a Porsche 962 and a 1974 RSR at Jarama, Dijon, Spa, Le Mans, Silverstone and Paul Ricard.
I'll be attending several classic car events including Scottsdale Arizona, Torino Auto, Spa Classic, Essen and Monterey Car Week.
41 years on - the return of the Giorgio Schön Porsche 3.0 RSR to Paul Ricard
41 years after Giorgio Schön and Giovanni Borri raced their Porsche 3.0 RSR in the 1974 Paul Ricard 1000 Kms, the very same car was back there to race in the Peter Auto Classic Endurance Series. RSR chassis 911 460 9074 has a significant period racing history in the 1974-1975 World Manufacturers Championship and is one only 54 genuine examples built by the Porsche racing department and delivered during the period.
The car was co-driven by BRDC member Mark Sumpter of Paragon Porsche and Lee Maxted-Page. Several other original cars from the 1974 1000 kms were also entered at the same meeting, together with both Jürgen Barth and Gerrard Larrousse, still doing what they do best, in a magnificent Porsche 917/10 and Porsche 908 Longtail.
It ran magnificently and it will be one to watch next season!
Paragon at Porsche Classics At The Castle
We had a great day at this event, with a convoy of our classic Porsche taking an early morning Sunday drive in the fine weather.
It was great seeing friends old and new from the Porsche community and the successful event was capped with the Coys Auction of classic Porsche. A great day that we can thoroughly recommend. We'll see you there next year!
Four Generations of the Porsche Speedster
Featuring four generations of the iconic Porsche Speedster, this month's Total 911 features a great article by Lee Sibley & Josh Barnett.
They took the opportunity to drive and review Mark's 356 Speedster as well as our 3.2 and 964 Speedsters that are for sale here on the site.
To complete the picture is the gorgeous 997 Speedster that we supplied last year - kindly loaned and driven by the current owner especially for the shoot. The Sussex coastal scenery (as ever) made it the perfect location for the shoot by Daniel Pullen.
Porsche 356 Register Annual Spring Drive
This great event took place on Tuesday 21st April, with Mark joining the drive down to Rye and onto the workshops of Crosthwaite & Gardiner for a guided tour.
The convoy of two 356 Speedsters, a pair of 356 Roadsters and a beautiful selection of coupes and cabriolets made the best of the Kent & Sussex roads and the beautiful weather too!
Season starts with Sumpter in Goodwood Porsche Action
The Paragon Porsche race season kicked off in style at Goodwood’s 73rd Member’s Meeting, with Mark Sumpter racing the Baylis & Harding-backed 1965 911 in the John Adlington Trophy