Description:

2000 Porsche 911 996 GT3 R

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OVERVIEW
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Introduced in 1997, the Porsche 996 was the first 911 model to be built with a water-cooled engine in deference to the age-old format of air-cooled units for which the marque had become synonymous with. Initially, the standard 996 Carrera road car had a flat-six engine of 3.4 litre capacity. The more limited models such as Targa, Carrera 4S, Turbo, GT2 and GT3 received 3.6 litre versions.

The 996 GT3 road car was built to homologate the race versions and boasted some enviable technical pedigree. The cylinder heads of the GT3 engine were based on those from the 959 and the block was the M64 type from the 964, it being stronger than the lighter 993 M64 block. The 6-speed gearbox of the 996 GT3 was derived from the type Porsche used in the 993 GT2 but had a cable rather than pushrod mechanism which saved weight.

Whilst the ‘Cup’ cars served well in National and Supercup Championships, the GT3 R was the first of the internationally homologated GT3 race cars and was followed by the RS (from 2001) and finally the RSR (from 2004). All three variants dominated their classes in all major championships around the world and the model remains one of the most successful series of Porsche racecars to this day. Built by Porsche Motorsports either to a customer’s specific requirements or - more commonly - supplied in standard specification for customers to modify to whichever race series they competed in (FIA or ACO regulations). A new class called LM GT was created at Le Mans specifically for the new GT3 R and other manufacturers soon joined with their models.
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HISTORY
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The factory records denote this car as being delivered to Porsche Motorsports North America (PMNA) / Wally. Privateer, Chris Wally, was the first owner of the car and he used it for club racing events across the USA with preparation carried out by top-flight marque specialists Kelly Moss Racing in Wisconsin. 

Notes on file refer to the car changing hands and being run by Loren Beggs’ superb, California-based outfit 911 Design from 2004-2007 and in 2007 Loren purchased it himself. At this time, Beggs fully rebuilt the car and he was kind enough to supply us with his photographic record of the works. 

Accompanying the car is a Porsche Club of America (PCA) logbook which records a total of eight races the car competed in from 2009-2011 when in the ownership of Les Long. One further race is noted in 2013 when the car was run by Texas-based Porsche specialists Topp Racing for Grant Phipps. The previous owner purchased the car in 2016, had it prepared by (another highly regarded US Porsche specialist - Alex Job Racing) and competed in an HSR round at Sebring before selling the car to the current owner in 2017 upon which time it returned to Europe.
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TECHNICAL/ CONDITION STATUS
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As with most Porsche race cars, this has seen various upgrades through its working life including the suspension to RS specification all round with MOTON remote gas discharge shocks. Invoice on file denotes a gearbox rebuild in December 2016 by Bill Rader and of particular note is that the engine fitted is an RSR unit (easily identified by the centrally-mounted alternator) with PMNA build number 557.

Whilst on the button and in incredibly fine order, it should be noted that prior to racing it will require renewal of all safety-related items so this should be factored in prior to use.
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DOCUMENTATION
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- Porsche build summary
- PCA & HSR Logbooks
- Ownership correspondence
- Bill Rader & Alex Job Racing invoices/ data
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SUMMARY
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An extremely well-priced example of the extremely eligible, capable and rewarding 996. Any inspection welcome.

 

Website:

https://www.markdonaldson.com/for-sale/