The Porsche Rennsport Reunion 2018 was held September 27-30 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in Salinas, California. The third West Coast appearance of Rennsport Reunion saw 350 Porsche race cars battle on the 2.238-mile, 11-turn road course on the Monterey Peninsula.
More than 81,000 attended Porsche Rennsport Reunion VI, the highest attendance at Laguna Seca in five years and easily broke the Rennsport Reunion V record of more than 60,000 at the previous event in 2015, which was also held at Laguna Seca. Beyond the numbers, there was seven decades of Porsche models — from the blistering-fast 919 Hybrid Evo to bright-red Porsche tractors from the brand’s early days.
Rennsport Reunion VI was the culmination of this year’s global celebrations of the 70th anniversary of the first Porsche sports car. The original 356 No. 1 Roadster was on display at Rennsport and even took to the track, piloted by none other than Dr. Wolfgang Porsche, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Porsche AG and son of Ferdinand “Ferry” Porsche, who built the first Porsche sports car.
“Every Porsche car has a soul, and Rennsport has its own soul thanks to the emotional response of enthusiasts who come from around the world,” said Klaus Zellmer, President and CEO of Porsche Cars North America. “We are deeply grateful to the champion drivers and brilliant engineers behind more than 30,000 Porsche motorsports victories so far – who help us develop on the track what we bring to the street. Celebrating this heritage together with the extended Porsche family of fans made Rennsport Reunion VI the biggest and best yet, and the most thrilling.”
Approximately 50 legendary drivers, 500 historic and customer cars, including 350 cars in competition, and the full Porsche Factory Team were in attendance at Porsche Rennsport Reunion 2018. In addition, 1,600 Porsche cars were on display in the Porsche Club of America corral.
Similar to the 2011 and 2015 events, Sports Car Digest also documented Porsche Rennsport Reunion VI, with Victor Varela producing the following images from this year’s Porsche-focused event.
Porsche Rennsport Reunion 2018 – Photo Gallery (photos: Victor Varela)
1998 Porsche GT1
718 RSK Spyders
Q&A with Jeff Zwart Hurley Haywood and Bobby Rahal
Niki Lauda\’s F1 McLaren MP4/2 TAG Porsche
Rally lights
Pretty 911s all in a row
Porsche tails on display
Gunnar Jeannette – 2007 Porsche RS Spyder
David Lockwood – 2007 Porsche RS Spyder
1998 Porsche GT1
March-Porsche CART/Indy Car V8
Erich Joiner – 1972 Porsche 911 RSR
Andrew Eagan – 1980 Porsche 924
Jim Bouzaglou – 1973 Porsche 911 RSR
Josh Simpson – 2012 Porsche RSR
Ricardo Stewart-Smith Milne – 2009 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
Carl Toffelmire – 1994 Porsche 993 RSR
Timothy Pappas – 2016 Porsche GT3 R
Scott McPherson – 2008 Porsche GT3 Cup
Larry Webster – 2008 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
Josh Simpson – 2012 Porsche RSR
Group 7 races towards the Andretti Hairpin
Stephen Hill – 1959 Porsche RSK
Jerome Rodela – 1985 Porsche 935
Lindsay Ross – 1961 Porsche 356 Super 90
Jesse Menczer – 2015 Porsche GT3 Cup
Rex McAfee – 1960 Porsche 356 Super 90 Roadster
Don Bell – 1957 Porsche 356
Johannes Van Overbeek – 1960 Porsche RS60
Sandra McNeil – 1964 Porsche 904 GTS
Robert Kann – 1958 Porsche Speedster
Lindsay Ross – 1961 Porsche 356 Super 90
Pierce Marshall – 2008 Porsche Riley Daytona Prototype
Les Long – 2009 Porsche GT3 Cup
Bruce Boeder – 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS
Robert Todd – 2018 Porsche GT3 Cup
Chris MacAllister – 1969 Porsche 917K
David Hagan – 1967 Porsche 910
Bruce Canepa – 1969 Porsche 917K
Bruce Canepa – 1969 Porsche 917K
Group 2 races down the front straight
Bob Smalley – 1968 Porsche 911S
Michael Allen – 1970 Porsche 914
David Donahue – 1968 Porsche 911 T/R
Dan Curry – 1985 Porsche 962
Christian Zugel – 2008 Porsche RS Spyder
David Lockwood – 2007 Porsche RS Spyder
Justin Bell – 1995 Porsche 962K8 Spyder
Patrick Long – 1983 Porsche 935
Cort Wagner – 2015 Porsche 991 GT3 Cup
Wade Carter – 2004 Porsche 996 RSR
Don Ahearn – 2013 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
Cort Wagner – 2015 Porsche 991 GT3 Cup
Josh Simpson – 2012 Porsche RSR
Don Ondrejcak – 2007 Porsche 997.1 Grand Am
Martijn van Woerkom – 2007 Porsche 997 GT3-RSR
Porsche 911 RSR
Porsche 911 RSR
Jeff Zwart and his trusty ride… a Junior, Porsche Diesel Tractor
David Lockwood – 2007 Porsche RS Spyder
Wade Carter – 1984 Porsche 962
Lee Giannone – 1985 Porsche 962
Carlos Dequesada – 1990 Porsche 962
Dan Curry – 1985 Porsche 962
Jim Torres – 1986 Porsche 962
David Lockwood – 2007 Porsche RS Spyder
Justin Bell – 1995 Porsche 962K8 Spyder
Porsche 919 Hybrid
Adam Carolla – 1979 Porsche 935
Patrick Long – 1983 Porsche 935
Gunnar Jeannette – 1977 Porsche 934/5
Adam Carolla – 1979 Porsche 935
Charles Nearburg – 1980 Porsche 935 K3
Frank Altamura – 1966 Porsche 911S
1939 Porsche Type 64/60K10
Frank Altamura – 1955 Porsche Pupulidy Spyder
1939 Porsche Type 64 60K10
Gregory Campbell – 1955 Devin Porsche 356 PreA
1969 Porsche 917K
Chuck Christensen – 1959 Porsche 356 Super Convertible D
Lindsay Ross – 1961 Porsche 356 Super 90
1969 Porsche 917K
Porsche 935
Porsche\’s best on display
1985 McLaren MP4/2B (TAG/Porsche Turbo V6)
Arthur Conner – 1961 Porsche Devin
Porsche 962
Frank Altamura – 1955 Porsche Pupulidy Spyder
March-Porsche CART/Indy Car V8
Rex McAfee – 1960 Porsche 356 Super 90 Roadster
Andrew Larson – 1961 Porsche 356B T5 Roadster
Steve Schmidt – 1958 Porsche Speedster
Rex McAfee – 1960 Porsche 356 Super 90 Roadster
1958 718 RSK Spyder
Porsche\’s best on display
1970 Porsche 911 ST
(L-R) Porsche 962, 1985 McLaren MP4/2B (TAG/Porsche Turbo V6)
1971 Porsche Martini Racing 917
1985 Porsche 962
Jeff Zwart – 1970 Porsche 914/6 GT
John Linfesty\’s 1968 Porsche 911 leads David Roberts\’ 1967 Porsche 911 S Lightweight into turn 10
David Donahue – 1968 Porsche 911 T/R
Don Ondrejcak\’s 2007 Porsche 997.1 Grand Am, leads Martijn van Woerkom\’s 2007 Porsche 997 GT3-RSR
Johan-Frank Dirickx – 1997 Porsche 993 Carrera Cup
Ed Matsuishi – 1967 Porsche 911 S/R
Neil Tardio – 1967 Porsche 911S
John Coey – 1971 Porsche 911S
Matthew Goetzinger – 1965 Porsche 911
Dener Pires – 1970 Porsche 914/6
Edith Arrowsmith – 1970 Porsche 914/6 GT
John Linfesty – 1968 Porsche 911
Group 3 races towards the start/finish line
Randall Smalley – 1968 Porsche 911S
Stephen Hill – 1959 Porsche RSK
James Sofronas – 2004 Porsche 996 GT3 RSR
Timothy Pappas – 2016 Porsche GT3 R
Mark Hotchkis – 2008 Porsche GT3 RSR
Wayne Baker – 1954 Porsche 356 Pre-A Coupe
Carlos Dequesada – 2004 Porsche 996 RSR
Group 7 races through turn 9
Sandra McNeil – 1964 Porsche 904 GTS
Lindsay Ross – 1961 Porsche 356 Super 90
Frank Altamura – 1955 Porsche Pupulidy Spyder
Max Jamiesson – 1957 Porsche 356 Speedster
Bob Clucas – 1960 Porsche 356 Roadster
Paul Christensen – 1956 Porsche 356A Speedster
Dietrich Hatlapa – 1960 Porsche RS60
Wayne Baker – 1954 Porsche 356 Pre-A Coupe
Tom Hedges – 1978 Porsche 930 Turbo
Thor Johnson – 1980 Porsche 924 GTR
Cooper MacNeil – 1980 Porsche 935
Hans Lapine – 1979 Porsche 924 (993)
Charles Nearburg\’s 1980 Porsche 935 K3 leads Tom Ross\’ 1983 Porsche 924 GTR through turn 9
Adam Carolla – 1979 Porsche 935
Lloyd Hawkins – 1979 Porsche 935
Patrick Long – 1983 Porsche 935, leads Group 4 through turn 9
Matthew Goetzinger\’s 1965 Porsche 911chases Doug Sallen\’s 1966 Porsche 911 through turn 4
Ed Matsuishi – 1967 Porsche 911 S/R
Don Ahearn – 1967 Porsche 911
Trevor Frank – 1971 Porsche 914
Patrick Long – 1970 Porsche 911 ST
Gil West – 1964 Porsche 901
David Donahue – 1968 Porsche 911 T/R
Cooper MacNeil – 1969 Porsche 911 T/R
John Straub – 1970 Porsche 914/6 GT
Andrew Higgins – 1989 Porsche 962C
George Follmer\’s 1972 Porsche 917/10
Porsche 917/30 Can-Am Spyder
Porsche 917/30 Can-Am Spyder
Spitting Fire, Bruce Canepa – 1989 Porsche 962C
Fred Kaimer in the 1987 Porsche 962, chases Jim Torres in the 1986 Porsche 962 towards turn 6
Porsche 917/30 Can-Am Spyder
David Lockwood – 2007 Porsche RS Spyder
Porsche 919 Hybrid
Porsche 919 Hybrid
Mark Weining – 1982 Porsche 911 SC Euro
Kenneth Greenburg – 1995 Porsche GT3
Duane Crandall – 1982 Porsche 911 Euro SC
Joe Robillard – 1986 Porsche 962
Jim Torres – 1986 Porsche 962
John Higgins – 1985 Porsche-Fabcar GTPL
Timothy Pappas – 2016 Porsche GT3 R
Josh Simpson – 2012 Porsche RSR
Group 7: Flaucht Cup races towards turn 4
Cort Wagner – 2015 Porsche 991 GT3 Cup
World Premier – The New Porsche 935, along side of the 911 Speedster Concept
Porsche Rennsport Reunion VI – Marque of Champions display
Cooper MacNeil – 2016 Porsche GT3R
Porsche 959 Dakar Rally Car
Lime Green Lego Porsche
Andy Johnson – 2015 Porsche GT3 Cup
Nicole Robichaud – 2016 Porsche GT4CS
Al Tiley – 2013 Porsche GT3 R
Matthew Goetzinger – 1965 Porsche 911
Jeff Zwart – 1970 Porsche 914/6 GT
Rod Emory – 1964 Elva – Porsche
Jeff Zwart – 1966 Porsche Carrera 6
Cameron Healy – 1970 Porsche 908/3
Bruce Canepa – 1969 Porsche 917K
Gilbert Hakim – 1967 Porsche 911
John Linfesty – 1968 Porsche 911
Wade Carter – 1966 Porsche 906
Gil West – 1964 Porsche 901
David Roberts – 1967 Porsche 911 S Lightweight
Chris MacAllister – 1969 Porsche 917K
David Donahue – 1968 Porsche 911 T/R
Porsche 917/10 Turbo – GELO-Racing-Team
Neil Alexander – 1964 Porsche Platypus
Rod Emory – 1964 Elva – Porsche
Pierce Marshall – 2008 Porsche Riley Daytona Prototype
Robert Todd – 2018 Porsche GT3 Cup
Niels Meissner – 1979 Porsche 911 SC
Porsche race engine builder, Valentin Schaeffer.
March-Porsche CART/Indy Car V8
Porsche 959s
1962 Porsche Type 804 F1 race car
1986 Porsche 962
1980 Porsche 936
1980 Porsche 936
2007 Porsche RS Spyder
North Amercan P-51H Mustang flies over Laguna Seca
Dan Curry – 1985 Porsche 962
Bruce Canepa – 1989 Porsche 962C
David Lockwood – 2007 Porsche RS Spyder
Gunnar Jeannette – 2007 Porsche RS Spyder
Group 5 races towards turn 10
Richard Griot – 1969 Porsche 908/02 Spyder
Robert Van Zelst – 1955 Porsche 356 Speedster
Wayne Baker – 1954 Porsche 356 Pre-A Coupe
Dener Pires – 1969 Porsche 908/02
Richard Griot – 1969 Porsche 908/02 Spyder
Gunnar Jeannette – 1969 Porsche 908/02
Chris MacAllister – 1969 Porsche 917K
Cameron Healy – 1970 Porsche 908/3
1969 Porsche 917 K Coupe
1960 718 RS 60 Spyders
718 RSK Spyders
Porsche 907s on display
Porsche Diesel Tractor
Bruce Boeder – 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS
The unauthorized use and/or duplication of any editorial or photographic content from sportscardigest.com without express and written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to sportscardigest.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Great collection of images, Victor. You must have been a busy man at Rennsport, as you left no stone unturned. Congrats on the best gallery I’ve seen online.
Thank you, Ross. I appreciate the kind compliment on my Rennsport images.
Super job Victor, love the image of the 917 on pit row.
Thanks, Mike! This is one of my favorite captures from the Rennsport weekend. It was great seeing you, my friend!
You Porsche Rennsport Reunion images were great. They captured the spirit of the event. Thanks!
You humble me with your kind words. Thank you.
Having some difficulty with the picture descriptions of ” 1969 Porsche 917K “…… unless (somehow) it is based on original chassis numbers that were maybe re-configured to “K” specifications, which were only around in 1970 and 1971.
You could be correct on the “K” specs for this car, but from all the entry description and several online sources, this car is described as a 917K.
Thanks for your info on this.
All of the original Porsche 917’s were built in 1969. They came with long tails which could be removed -so either K or LH – although the’ Kurz’ designation was not adopted until the ‘final’ short tail design was completed – which was still in 1969 (following October tests in Austria) and fitted to cars prior to the January tests (early 70) in Daytona — so this is probably a 1969 Chassis (one of the original 25) fitted with the Kurz tail at some point (probably 1970).
Also this….on pg 11 of this incredible photo log…… Porsche # 46 is NOT the 1939 Rome-Berlin race car type 64/60K10…..but instead 1951 type 356SL as entered in LeMans.
Good catch on this description error. Will be corrected soon. Thanks!
The caption on Page 13 of the Coca Cola 962 is incorrect; it should be Lee Giannone, 962C
You are correct! Will be corrected soon. Thanks!
Does anyone know about the driver who crashed in Turn 1, immediately after the start/finish line in his blue devin bodied Porsche? I think it happened on Friday. It was a fairly serious shunt, but the driver seemed OK given that he had flipped his car.