More than 57,000 Porsche fans — fanatics? — made their way recently to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca for Porsche Rennsport V. Porsche has long made a point of celebrating its history, and this is said to be the best and biggest in the world.
The entry list of 270 cars ranged from a 1952 Glockler Porsche to, for exhibition runs, a 2015 24 Hours of Le Mans-winning 919 hybrid. Just as impressive was the fact Porsche invited 70 drivers who raced and, in many cases, won in Porsches. Men like Hans Herrmann, Jacky Ickx, Vic Elford and Derek Bell. Also in attendance was the team that won Le Mans this year, young drivers who can easily brave the Sarthe circuit in the rain but were carded at a bar in Monterey to see if they are old enough to drink.
Covering countless decades and myriad racing series, Rennsport Reunion plays host to classic racing machines of all varieties. Here, from the massive 270-car field, are some of our favorite entries.
1. Porsche 919 Hybrid, winner of the 2015 24 Hours of Le Mans.
2. Jeroen Bleekemolen drove this Porsche RS Spyder.
3. A 1986 Porsche 962 spits flame at the top of the Corkscrew.
4. Two Porsche classics, a 356 Speedster on the track, the famous 935/78 Moby Dick in the background.
5. A 1990 Porsche 962 (16T) and a 2008 Riley Porsche Daytona Prototype.
6. A car that encouraged Porsche to race, a 1952 Glockler-built Porsche.
7. Porsche won Le Mans with the 962 C LH.
8. A 1986 Porsche 962 out of Turn 11 heading up the front straight.
9. The winner of the 1998 24 Hours of Le Mans, a Porsche 911 GT1.
10. This Fabcar chassis 1983 Porsche 935 was driven by standout Porsche driver Patrick Long.
11. Cooper MacNeil in a 1977 Porsche 935.
12. A 1986 Porsche 962 with the famous Jagermeister livery.
13. A pair of Porsche 935s head uphill toward the Corkscrew.
14. This IMSA Camel Lights Porsche has a Fabcar chassis.
15. A 1955 Porsche 550 RS Spyder driven by Bob Baker.
16. Porsche ran two races for the modern GT3 Cup Challenge, this one driven by Andrew Longe.
17. David Donohue drove an RS Spyder with the paint scheme of his late father’s 917/30 Can Am car.
18. A 1977 Porsche 935 leads a 1976 Porsche 934.
19. Chris McAllister’s 1969 Porsche 917K.
20. The Revs Institute brought this 1969 Porsche 908 LH, driven by Gunnar Jeannette.
21. Among the guest drivers was Le Mans winner Mark Webber.
22. Charles Nearburg in his 1980 Porsche 935 K3.
23. Bruce Leven racing a 1988 Porsche 962.
24. Porsche 936.
25. The parking lot was jammed with Porsches ranging from 356s to 991s. Smallest parking lot? The one with the front-engine sports cars.
26. Porsche owners jammed the track when given a chance to get on a parade lap.
27. Celebrating wins at Le Mans.
28. George Follmer (far right) with his Porsche 917/10 Can Am car for the concours.
29. Michael Malone’s 1968 Porsche 908 at the concours.
30. The historic Porsche display.
31. Porsche 356 Speedster, a pair of RSKs and a Porsche Abarth coupe.
32. Late 1960s Porsches leading to the 917.
33. Porsche 935.
34. Porsche RSK.
35. 1968 Porsche 908 short-tail coupe.
36. Last but not least, a very famous Porsche-powered Cooper. We saved it for the end, so to speak, because it’s affectionately known as the Pooper.
