This was the "mystery car". I spoke to Gerd Schmid at the Porsche racing department and he told me the car was in England. I searched for two years and finally Gary Hill gave me a lead and sure enough, it was in England. The car is black with pink and purple blobs and is affectionately known as "Bubbles". It was purchased new in March of 1994 and raced in the 1994 BPR series, driven by Erik Hendriksen and Justin Bell.
The car is currently being maintained by Russell Lewis, owner of RSR Engineering (Porsche garage) and contributor to "911 & Porsche World" magazine. Russell tells me that the car has 7000 km on it and has never been crashed. Other reliable sources indicate that the car has had many "incidents" and blown engines. Another source once told me that the car was totalled and all that was left were parts, but we know this is not true. So maybe this car is still a bit of a mystery!
Russell says the car has all the endurance mods including 120 litre fuel tank, air jacks, leightweight parts and engine output increased to 440 bhp!
By Bill Farmer with special thanks to Bruce Corwin
Little did I know that lending LJ911 to the club for the Bridgestone Champion exchange would lead to my driving possibly one of the best water pumpers that the Porsche race department has ever built. When I was called in the early hours of the morning some time in January 1994, I thought the question being put - "Do you want a drive at Le Mans?" was another invitation to the infamous Pukekohe relay races.
As I listened in disbelief I had been invited to team with Erik Hendriksen and Justine Bell in the latest factory-racing machine specially prepared for the event. One of only four 968 Turbo RS built. The arrangement was turn up at Montlhery, a track similar in style and vintage to Brooklands on the outskirts of Paris, complete the test (the Paris 1000kms) and, if you're good enough you're in the team. Seeing as I wasn't booked that afternoon, I graciously accepted.
As it was rolled out of the transporter I can vividly remember the impact of the styling. Sharper lines than the 928 but, softer than the 944. A Car that looked like it was doing 100 mph standing still. And everything brand new well 6oo odd km's on the clock. Tucked amongst the 3.6 RSR's and the F40's in the garages it certainly did not look out of place.
Being the 'fluffy' I had to wait for Eric and Justin to put her through her paces before I got a turn. But was it worth waiting for!
The first impression was one of total confidence in the engineering. Weisach technicians had once again excelled themselves with the preparation of this racecar. You felt very safe to be strapped into the 'pilots' seat. Next the controls. Everything was so light to operate. No Heavy clutch. Power assisted steering. And then the gearbox! Precise, direct, smooth. To a predominantly 911 driver heaven!
The power of the car was remarkably smooth for a turbo. So much so in fact that it was almost unremarkable. That was until you realized you were closing in on Cup cars at significantly higher speeds than they were doing and, as you drove out of corners you literally left them for dead.
With the front engine the balance of the car was superb allowing you to carry much greater speed through the corners. Maneuverability was unbelievable. You felt that you could put this car anywhere on the race track changing lines with ease. Even the unbelievably rough surface of the aging Montlhery track didn't seem to effect the handling to anywhere near an extent for the 968 as it did the other cars.
The final thing was the braking. This car had real stopping power. So good in fact that it was difficult to find the limits. No doubt the balance and suspension were contributing factors to this but, as a driver it was difficult not to be impressed.
The race was truly one of the highlights of my life, and the Porsche Turbo RS certainly contributed monumentally to the experience. Unfortunately that Sunday we weren't to finish the torturous Montlhery oval finally beating the internals in the gearbox to pieces. Our particular car never made it to Le Mans although Erik and Justine did complete the majority of the 1994 BPR series.
I understand it is still being garaged in the UK and if the opportunity ever presented itself again I would be keen to add my name to the top of the list for a drive.
An interesting story from a man who drove this car:..
