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 known. 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. Whilst the ‘Cup’ cars served well in National and Super Cup Championships, the GT3 R was the first of the internationally homologated GT3 race cars and was followed by the RS in 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.
The Porsche Certificate of Origin on file confirms chassis WP0ZZZ99Z2S692066 as a genuine factory 2002 GT3 RS and was delivered new to US-based team Orbit Racing equipped to ACO specification.
The car began its competition career in the 2002 Sebring 12 hours and Daytona Finale 3 Hours and was also a reserve entry for the 24 Hours of Le Mans the same year. In 2003 it took part in the prestigious 24 Hours of Daytona finishing second in the GT class before ending its frontline career at the Barber 250 miles.
Immediately after the Barber 250 race the RS was sold to the late Robert (Bob) Bob Mack, a Fort Lauderdale-based dentist. Mike Calucci ran the car for Bob in several local SCCA and PCA meetings before Mike moved to North Carolina. Phil Pierce converted the suspension to 2005 RSR specification. Sadly, Bob Mack passed away and in 2013 the car was sold via MGM Motorsport and its new Florida-based collector/owner commissioned Orbit racing to restore the car and in 2017 the RS was purchased and imported into the UK to join a collection of historic race cars.
Today this 996 GT3 RS remains in excellent condition having not raced since restoration, and is presented in the dramatic yellow, black and white livery with Yes Network sponsorship from its appearance at the 2003 24 Hours of Daytona.
The car comes with a substantial history file and numerous period photographs of it in action at Le Mans, Daytona and Sebring.
Eligible for Endurance Racing Legends, Masters Endurance Legends, Rennsport Reunion and Le Mans Classic.
Researched competition history:
Date: 13-16/03/2002
Race: Sebring 12 Hours
Team: Orbit Racing
Drivers: Gary Schultheis (USA), Grady Willingham (USA), Tony Kester (USA)
Result: DNF
Date: 05/05/2002
Race: Le Mans Test (reserve entry)
Team: Orbit Racing
Drivers: Gary Schultheis (USA), Grady Willingham (USA), John Lloyd (USA)
Result: 50th overall, 13th in class
Date: 10/11/2002
Race: Dark Dog Grand American Finale at Daytona, Grand Am Rolex Sportscar Series
Team: Orbit Racing
Drivers: Joe Policastro & Joe Policastro Jr.
Result: 18th overall, 5th in class
Date: 02/02/2003
Race: Daytona 24 hours
Team: Orbit Racing
Drivers: Mike Fitzgerald (USA), Manuel Matos (PR), Joe Policastro (USA), Joe Policastro Jr. (USA). Preliminary session only: Marc Lieb (D), Kyle Petty (USA), Leo Hindery (USA)
Result: 19th overall, 2nd in GT class
Date: 16/17/18/05/2003
Race: Barber 250 Miles
Team: Orbit Racing
Drivers: Joe Policastro (USA), Joe Policastro Jr. (USA)
Result: 9th overall
08/09/01/2005
Race: SCCA Central Florida Winter National, Sebring
25/26/11/2006
Race: SCCA Central Florida Region Turkey Trot, Sebring
11/2007
Race: SCCA Turkey Trot
05/06/01/2008
Race: Winter Nationals Sebring
Result: Group 5, Race 5: 7th
03/04/05/2008
Race: Daytona
30/31/08/2008
Race: Labor Day, Sebring
Result: Group 7, race 7: 9th
Result: Group 7, race 13: 1st
18/19/10/2008
Race: Sebring Restricted Regional/SARRC
Result: Group 4, race 4: 5th
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