1979 911 RSR IROC Tribute

In 1973, Roger Penske had a vision to create a racing series to invite the world’s best racing drivers from the four major racing series to compete against each other in identical cars at the leading tracks in the United States. The aim was to reduce all of the variables typically present in motor racing so the drivers’ skills and race strategy would be put to the test. The series was appropriately named the International Race Of Champions. The drivers were selected from Formula One, Nascar, SCCA and USAC and included names such as A.J. Foyt, Richard Petty, George Follmer, Bobby Unser and Mark Donahue.

When it came time to decide on a car to select as the basis of the series, his vehicle of choice was the Porsche 911 RSR due to its excellent handling and durability. Donahue suggested that Penske contact Porsche to build a fleet of identically matched cars for the series. Porsche agreed to the request and built a run of 15 examples of the 911 IROC RSR that were essentially hybrids of the 1973 2.8 RSR and the new-for-1974 3.0 RSR. The IROC-spec RSRs were each painted in bright colors, constructed with wide wheel wells to fit widened Fuchs wheels and tires to maximize grip, and a large fiberglass whaletail spoiler. The 3.0 liter engine was tuned to deliver 315 horsepower and the standard five-speed transmission was favored over the close-ratio gearbox.

This example was built as Jim Patrick’s personal car and built in house by his shop, Patrick Motorsports in Phoenix, Arizona. It was inspired by the 15 examples produced to compete in the four-race series and was built with both the road and racetrack in mind. Patrick Motorsports began with a 1979 930 chassis that was stripped to a bare chassis and painted in Hugger Orange paintwork. An IROC RSR style front bumper and fiberglass whale tail rear wing was installed, and the IROC series decal package was applied to pay homage to the series. Bilstein shock absorbers with Tarrett Engineering bladed front and rear sway-bars and a Tarrett Engineering front strut-tower brace were added, and a set of wide Fuchs wheels with Michelin TB15 racing radial tires. The interior received a custom interior with a Hugger Orange roll bar, Cobra Stuttgart seats finished in Black Vincenza leather with orange houndstooth seat inserts, Schroth harnesses, and a MOMO racing steering wheel. The factory radio and speakers were deleted and a radio block off plate takes the place of the head unit while plain black leather door cards with nylon pull straps replaced the originals. A Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 speaker Bluetooth speaker mounted ahead of the shifter gives the driver the option to listen to music while retaining the weight savings and track-focused interior. A 1997 3.6L DME engine was converted to a high torque 3.8L engine with hydraulic billet cams and paired to a specially prepared 1986 915 Euro transaxle with a limited-slip differential and a Euro oil cooler system. The 3.8L engine received custom exhaust headers with 1.75 outer diameter primaries into high velocity merge collectors and leading to a 73 RSR-style muffler.

Since its completion, this example has had just two owners and has been maintained by Patrick Motorsports and Porsche of Colorado Springs. It presents in impeccable condition both in and out, and is fully mechanically sorted. With approximately 300 horsepower in the lightweight 930 chassis and the advantage of a more modern drivetrain, this example is an incredible drivers car- bringing together elements of old and new, all in an eye-catching aesthetic package that evokes on of the most exciting racing series of the early 1970s.