Porsche 996 GT3 RS

The vehicle in detail

To keep its 996-based GT3 racer ultra-competitive, Porsche homologated an updated and uprated RS variant for 2001. Most recognisable for a facelifted front end that improved aerodynamic performance, it is reported that just 51 examples were built. While they all left the factory in the base colour of Carrara White, the car offered here soon gained a far more menacing look.
Purchased new in November 2001 by Freisinger Motorsport of Karlsruhe in Germany, the long-time marque specialist gave the 911 its competitive debut in the 2002 edition of the 24 Hours of Daytona. Most notably driven by 24 Hours of Le Mans victors Romain Dumas and Stéphane Ortelli, the car surged from 47th on the grid to finish a fine 10th overall, also notching a class podium.
For its next outing, the 12 Hours of Sebring, the Porsche gained an unmistakable toothed livery that would last for the remainder of its front-line career. Wearing a broad smile that filled the mirrors of its rivals, the 911 went on to classify 2nd in class in the 24 Hours of Le Mans before enjoying its greatest success amid the ranks of the FIA GT Championship. Scoring six class wins in 2002, this car played a pivotal role in Ortelli claiming the N-GT crown as Freisinger Motorsport topped the Teams’ standings to chalk its first international title. Following these achievements, Porsche wrote to congratulate Manfred Freisinger on the convincing win, noting the team’s consistency—this letter is included in the car’s history file.
The GT3 RS was retired from front-line duties at the end 2003 but Freisinger Motorsport kept hold of it for another decade. Having fitted a new exhaust system and a set of BBS wheels at a cost of €22,485, the race team sold the car directly to the Munich-based consigning owner in September 2014. Please note, the 911 will require mechanical inspection prior to being driven.
Presented today in white and appearing to retain its original shell, the Porsche is accompanied by its previous exhaust system and a Technical Passport issued by the organiser of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Automobile Club de l’Ouest. Therefore, this championship-winning 911 GT3 RS could soon enter the variety of historic endurance racing series for which it is eligible.