VIN: the Roger Penske Porsche 911 3.0 Carrera RSR IROC chassis 9114600075
History of chassis 9114600075
In later 1973, Roger Penske ordered a batch of 15 special RSR Porsches to contest an exciting new series dubbed the International Race of Champions.
The cars, each of which was finished in a unique colour, were to be driven by twelve of the world’s top drivers who would contest three 30 lap heats at Riverside in October 1973. Afterwards, the six drivers that had accumulated the most points would go on to compete in a 25 lap finale at Daytona in February 1974.
9114600075 (‘0075’) was painted Mexico Blue.
For the first heat at Riverside it was allocated to 1967 Formula 1 World Champion, Denny Hulme.
Hulme qualified sixth in the unfamiliar car, but actually started fourth after Emerson Fittipaldi and George Follmer were relegated to the back of the field because they missed the driver’s pre-race briefing.
In the race, the New Zealander initially dropped down to sixth. He subsequently went on to regain a position and ultimately finished fifth when David Pearson’s car fell back with a badly smoking engine during the last few laps.
For Heat 2 (which took place later the same day), the Mexico Blue 911 was allocated to 1973 Indy Car champion (and two-time Stock Car champion) Roger McCluskey.
For this second event, the organisers mandated a reverse grid which meant McCluskey started fifth as he had finished eighth in Heat 1. Unfortunately, McCluskey failed to complete the distance having spun into the Turn 9 wall on lap 14.
‘0075’ was repaired overnight in preparation for three-time NASCAR champion David Pearson to take the wheel in Heat 3. Pearson started second-to-last on the reverse grid as he had claimed the runner up spot behind George Follmer in Heat 2.
Despite his lowly grid position, Pearson moved through the field to finish an impressive fourth.
After the Riverside heats, eight of the IROC 911s were sent back to Porsche for a series of upgrades. ‘0075’ was one of the seven examples that remained in the US. It was subsequently sold to Henry McIntosh.
The next owner was Porsche racer Greg Loomis who used ‘0075’ as a road car.
By 1978, the IROC RSR had been sold to Werner Frank who raced it until 1981. During this period, the by now white and blue-striped car’s most notable result was 13th overall and fourth in class at the 1980 Sebring 12 Hours.
More recently, ‘0075’ has been restored to its original IROC configuration.
Notable History
Ordered by Roger Penske Enterprises, Detroit, Michigan
Mexican Blue
27/10/1973 IRC Riverside 1 (D. Hulme) 5th oa (#6)
27/10/1973 IRC Riverside 2 (R. McCluskey) DNF (#8)
28/10/1973 IRC Riverside 3 (D. Pearson) 4th oa (#2)
1974 sold to Henry McIntosh
Later sold to Greg Loomis
Later sold to Dick Barbour
Later sold to Werner Frank (Framm Promotions)
White with Blue stripes
18/03/1978 IMS Sebring 12 Hours (W. Frank / R. Schramm) DNF (#91)
16/04/1978 IMS Road Atlanta 100 mile (W. Frank) 19th, 9th GTO class (#91)
07/05/1978 IMS Hallett 100 mile (W. Frank) 7th oa, 3rd GTO class (#91)
18/06/1978 IMS Brainerd 100 mile (W. Frank) 13th oa, 5th GTO class (#91)
08/07/1978 TRA Watkins Glen 6 Hours (W. Frank / R. Schramm) 9th oa (#97)
13/08/1978 TRA Brainerd (R. Schramm) 13th oa (#97)
19/08/1978 TRA Mosport (R. Schramm) 15th oa, 9th C2 class (#91)
27/08/1978 IMS Mid-Ohio 250 mile (W. Frank / R. Schramm) 16th oa, 5th GTO class (#91)
04/09/1978 TRA Road America (R. Schramm) 9th (#91)
17/03/1979 IMS Sebring 12 Hours (R. Schramm / W. Frank) 19th oa, 9th GTO class (#91)
13/05/1979 IMS Hallett 100 mile (R. Schramm) 13th oa, 6th GTO class (#91)
17/06/1979 IMS Brainerd 100 mile (R. Schramm) 20th th oa, 8th GTO class (#91)
07/07/1979 TRA Watkins Glen 6 Hours (R. Schramm / W. Frank) 12th oa (#97)
22/03/1980 IMS Sebring 12 Hours (R. Schramm / R. Bartling) 13th oa, 4th GTO class (#92)
15/06/1980 IMS Brainerd 100 mile (R. Schramm) 8th oa, 4th GTO class (#91)
05/07/1980 TRA Watkins Glen 6 Hours (R. Schramm / R. Bartling) DNS (#91)
31/08/1980 IMS Road America 500 mile (R. Schramm / T. Klint / W. Frank) 13th oa, 4th GTO class (#91)
30/11/1980 IMS Daytona 250 mile Finale (R. Schramm / W. Frank) 10th oa, 4th GTO class (#91)
29/11/1981 IMS Daytona 250 mile Finale (R. Schramm / W. Frank) 15th oa, 6th GTO class (#91)
Subsequently restored to original configuration
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: unattributed
