VIN: the Martini Racing Porsche 935 chassis 003 R17
History of chassis 003 R17
Chassis 003 (also known as R17) was a single turbo 1976-spec. 935 that raced just once: at the 1977 Mugello 6 Hours (round two of the 1976 World Championship).
Porsche took 003 to Mugello for Rolf Stommelen and Manfred Schurti. Also present was a brand new twin turbocharged 1977 spec. 935 (chassis 004) which was making its debut in the hands of Jochen Mass and Jurgen Barth.
Qualifying saw Mass go fastest with 004 while Schurti was second quickest in 003.
During the opening stages of the race, Mass led from Stommelen with Bob Wollek’s single turbo Kremer 935 close behind.
However, as the first hour progressed, Wollek passed Stommelen and slowly pulled away from 003.
Meanwhile in 004, Mass was feeling ill from something he had eaten. He was also experiencing problems with the brake pedal not returning and had to keep pulling it back with his foot.
With little more than an hour gone, Mass came in for Jurgen Barth’s stint.
John Fitzpatrick took over the Kremer entry from Wollek and Schurti switched for Stommelen.
At the 90 minute mark, light rain began to fall and both of the works cars came in for wets.
Fitzpatrick stayed out and inherited the lead for Kremer.
Barth re-took the top spot in 004 half an hour later but was beginning to suffer brake fade so came in for new pads soon afterwards.
Fitzpatrick went passed just as Barth was coming out of pits.
Unfortunately, the German had forgot to prime his pads and arrived at the first corner brake-less.
Barth ploughed into the back of the Kremer Porsche and took both cars out of the race.
This left Stommelen and Schurti with a comfortable three lap lead.
For the remaining three hours, 003 purred around the track, increasing its advantage lap after lap.
Stommelen and Schurti eventually finished six laps clear of the second-placed Jolly Club customer 935.
Chassis 003 was subsequently retired from competition duty and today resides in the Porsche Museum.
Notable History
Martini Racing
20/03/1977 WCM Mugello 6 Hours (R. Stommelen / M. Schurti) 1st oa, 1st Gr.5 class (#2)
Retained by Porsche
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Porsche - https://www.porsche.com
