Porsche CLUB GB announces new season of 911 challenge series
Launched at the height of the pandemic, Porsche Club GB’s inaugural season of the 911 Challenge series proved a big success, with private owners and teams campaigning classic 911s at some of the UK’s bestloved circuits. Star cars included genuine RSRs, a 964 Carrera RS and even a 964 Carrera RS N/GT.
Porsche Club GB’s Events & Motorsport Creative, Chris Pruden, spoke exclusively to Classic Porsche about the 2022 season, which follows a different format. “Seeing these cars race against one another in 2021 was brilliant,” he smiles. “I was well aware of the high number of owners of classic Porsches without a series to accommodate them. The 911 Challenge provided an opportunity for these cars to race without the cut-throat competitiveness seasoned racing drivers might be tempted to exhibit in a formal championship. For this reason, the 911 Challenge saw drivers of varying experience run alongside one another in friendly fashion,” he says, before revealing inspiration for the series came from the Pirelli Porsche Classic, which ran for several seasons during the 1980s.
Though most of 2021’s rounds were standalone events, feedback from participants favoured a shared grid, informing the direction of the 2022 season, which will be run as an Open series categorising models in three classes: Class 1 is for 3.8-litre cars, plus all Turbo models and the 964 RSR; Class 2 is for three-litre to 3.6-litre cars, including all RSR (all widebodied cars); Class 3 is for two-litre to three-litre cars (non-RSR). “An Open series removes the need to build cars to specific regulations, restrictions which can limit the size of the grid,” Chris continues. “The 911 Challenge is for all 911s, from the very earliest through to the latest 993s, and will now be operated at interclub status, meaning the series will be contested over six rounds, each taking the form of two twenty-five minute races on grids shared with other Porsche Club Motorsport competitions, including Classic Boxster Cup and the Porsche Club Championship.” This is a real boon for entrants, who will get to compete at famous tracks packed with a variety of Porsches of all ages. Clearly, this is also a big draw for spectators, who can now witness a strong number of different races taking place in exchange for the purchase of a single event ticket.
2022’s 911 Challenge rounds are scheduled for Donington (series opener, 2nd April), Snetterton 300 (18th June), Oulton Park (9th July), Silverstone GP (30th July), Brands Hatch Indy (17th September) and a return to Donington for the final race of the season (29th October). “Running as an Open series means there will be many new cars and drivers throughout the season,” Chris beams, pointing out how there is no requirement for entrants to compete in all races. Indeed, anyone with an air-cooled 911 looking to venture into the wonderful world of club racing is encouraged to take part, with everything required for the series available direct from the Porsche Club Motorsport team, including race suits and access to specialists who can install the required in-car safety equipment. A Porsche Club Motorsport members pack will be awarded to all entrants, as will a specially commissioned yearbook come season end. “Anything goes!” Chris remarks. “Obviously, all participating 911s need to be declared safe in accordance with Motorsport UK governance, but away from basic equipment, there is little an owner needs to do other than turn up and race. We even stipulate cars need to be run on treaded tyres.” Entry forms, a document of race regulations and details of where spectators can buy event tickets can all be found at porscheclubgb.com
INSPIRATION FOR THE 911 CHALLENGE SERIES CAME FROM THE PIRELLI PORSCHE CLASSIC