One to Buy: ex-Team Salad Racing 1993 Porsche 911 3.8 Carrera RSR (964)
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For those wanting the ultimate junior class entry to race in competitions like the BPR, IMSA or any of the myriad domestic championships being organised during the mid 1990s, Porsche’s 964-based 911 3.8 Carrera RSR was the ultimate off-the-peg solution. In addition to offering superb reliability and excellent manufacturer support, the RSR was a competitively-priced entry that could generally outperform its rivals in terms of both single lap and full race performance.
Evoking a moniker last seen in the mid 1970s, this latest iteration of the RSR proved immensely popular with a little over 50 copies built between 1993 and ‘94.
Among the most successful RSRs to have raced across the Atlantic in period was chassis WP0ZZZ96ZPS496081 which will be going under the hammer at RM Sotheby’s Miami sale on February 27th.
Ordered through Porsche’s Special Vehicle Department in September 1993, chassis ‘496081’ was supplied to Mark Sandridge of Westfield Center, Ohio. At the time, Sandridge worked for the family business, Sandridge Crafted Foods in Medina, which had pioneered the sale of deli meats in vacuumed retail pouches and later branched out into the cold salad business.
Chassis ‘496081’ was ordered in Grand Prix White with the optional air jack system and centre lock wheels. Following delivery, it was campaigned to great effect in 1994’s IMSA GT Championship under the Team Salad Racing banner.
Undoubted highlights of that year’s effort were the car’s fourth place overall and second in class at the Daytona 24 Hours which Team Salad followed up with fifth overall and first in class at the Sebring 12 Hours. Later in the season, chassis ‘496081’ also bagged a class win at the Watkins Glen 3 Hours (placing eleventh overall).
In subsequent ownership, the RSR was enhanced with several upgrades from Porsche Motorsports North America and was raced sparingly in both SCCA and PCoA events.
More recently the car has been returned to its 1994 colour scheme. It is being offered with significant documentation to include original factory correspondence, Porsche Manufacturer's Statement of Origin, Porsche Motorsport North America correspondence, race history, period photographs and a selection of spare parts.
