In order to celebrate its 60-year presence in Australia, Porsche is shipping a number of rare cars, spanning six decades, from its museum in Germany to the 2011 Phillip Island Classic Festival of Motorsport, scheduled to take place between March 18th and the 20th.
The main attraction is expected to be the 935/78 coupe, which was the dominant vehicle in endurance races of the World Championship for Makes between 1976 and 1981. The model's shape gave it improved aerodynamics for lower wind resistance, as well as a nickname, "Moby Dick". The car also used water-cooled cylinder heads for the first time in Porsche’s history. The 3.2-liter six-cylinder engine with two overhead camshafts on each bank produced 750 hp, taking "Moby Dick" to a top speed of 350 km/h (217 mph).
Also part of the exclusive collection that will be seen at the Phillip Island Classic in March will be the most easily recognizable of all the Porsche race cars, the famous 956/962 that is responsible for winning the Le Mans 24 Hour seven times between 1982 and 1994.
A highlight of the Australian event is the 30-minute sportscar race on Sunday, which will see at least three Porsche 956/962 sports cars, up to four Porsche turbocharged six-cylinder 935 coupes, a V8 Sauber-Mercedes C9, an ex-Le Mans JCB Chevron-Cosworth V8, a GT40 Ford, and a number of V8-powered Lolas from the 1960s, ‘70s and ‘80s compete over 20 laps of the 4.55 km (2.9 mile) Phillip Island Grand Prix circuit.
The main attraction is expected to be the 935/78 coupe, which was the dominant vehicle in endurance races of the World Championship for Makes between 1976 and 1981. The model's shape gave it improved aerodynamics for lower wind resistance, as well as a nickname, "Moby Dick". The car also used water-cooled cylinder heads for the first time in Porsche’s history. The 3.2-liter six-cylinder engine with two overhead camshafts on each bank produced 750 hp, taking "Moby Dick" to a top speed of 350 km/h (217 mph).
Also part of the exclusive collection that will be seen at the Phillip Island Classic in March will be the most easily recognizable of all the Porsche race cars, the famous 956/962 that is responsible for winning the Le Mans 24 Hour seven times between 1982 and 1994.
A highlight of the Australian event is the 30-minute sportscar race on Sunday, which will see at least three Porsche 956/962 sports cars, up to four Porsche turbocharged six-cylinder 935 coupes, a V8 Sauber-Mercedes C9, an ex-Le Mans JCB Chevron-Cosworth V8, a GT40 Ford, and a number of V8-powered Lolas from the 1960s, ‘70s and ‘80s compete over 20 laps of the 4.55 km (2.9 mile) Phillip Island Grand Prix circuit.
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