This beautiful Dark Blue Metalic Panamera S arrived yesterday. It has Luxor Beige interior with Soft Ruffled seats. Other options are Heated Seats front and rear, Heated Steering Wheel, 19″ Panamera Turbo Wheels with Colored Crest Center Caps, Bluetooth Phone Interface, Universal Audio Interface, XM Satellite Radio, Bose Stereo, Variable Assist Power Steering and Floor Mats.

Gran Turismo ranked No 1 in the Luxury Performance Class

Stuttgart. The Porsche Panamera has been awarded the Golden Steering Wheel as the Best New Car of the Year in the Luxury Performance Class. With its combination of supreme comfort and outstanding sportiness, and through its unique design, Porsche’s Gran Turismo convinced the 50-man jury made up of racing drivers, engineers, celebrities and the senior editors of the Auto Bild Magazine Group trying out the candidates on thorough test drives. Before receiving this outstanding award, the Panamera had already been chosen by readers as one of the five best models in the luxury performance class with experts putting the car through its paces in the final contest on a test track in Italy for two enduring days.

This year this special prize presented for the first time by publisher Axel Springer in 1976 was awarded not “just” by the German Sunday newspaper Bild am Sonntag, but rather by a group of publications including the Auto Bild Motoring Journal and its European sister publications, making this coveted award even more significant than ever. Michael Macht, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, received the trophy on Wednesday evening from Bernd Wieland, Editor in Chief of Auto Bild, at the headquarters of the Axel Springer AG in Berlin.

It was great to see three local Porsche 356’s in this years Concours. You have seen all three of these beautiful 356’s posted here on Porschebahn. Ed and Jean Kriscunas displayed their White 1964 356 Coupe, George Word won Best of Class with his Black 1963 356 Super 90 Cab and Jim Smeltzer won the Palmetto Award with his Red 1962 356 Twin Grill Roadster. I will post all three cars and a 1955 356 Speedster over the next few days. Like Ed said, they had all the models covered, coupe, cab, roadster and speedster. The Speedster was once raced by Pedro Rodreguez.

“Winning the title makes the season perfect”

The new champion is an old acquaintance: At the final of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup on the new Formula 1 track in Abu Dhabi, Jeroen Bleekemolen secured his second title in succession with the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup. “We led the points for the whole season,” said the Konrad Motorsport pilot from the Netherlands. “I think we definitely deserve this title.”

In the paddock of the popular brand trophy series, there is no doubt about this. Jeroen Bleekemolen has been the most consistent driver of the year. He not only won the two season-opening rounds in Bahrain and extended his points’ lead with victories in Istanbul and Spa-Francorchamps, but also managed to climb the podium twelve times from 13 races this season.

Jeroen Bleekemolen inherited his passion for motorsport – and his talent. His father Michael runs a kart track and even competed in Formula 1 in the late seventies. Since gaining his first racing experiences at the wheel of a kart in 1995, Jeroen had to overcome many hurdles on his way to becoming a successful race driver – a fact of which he is proud. “Nothing was handed to me on a plate,” he says, “I fought for everything myself.” Swapping to Formula Ford in 1998, he immediately secured championship honours. Further highlights of his career were the Formula Audi Palmer, Formula 3, FIA GT Championship and the DTM. Moreover, he contested the A1 GP formula series for the Netherlands. His first outing as a guest driver in the 2005 Indianapolis round of the Porsche Supercup yielded an excellent third place. At his first complete Supercup season last year he claimed the title.

A popular ambassador of his craft

Whilst Jeroen Bleekemolen has no hesitation in using his elbows on the race track, off the circuit he is more reserved. His humility makes him one of the most popular ambassadors of his craft – something that is also appreciated by his mechanics, with whom he often sits after the work is done. “I’m always 100 percent motivated,” he says, “but it’s also important to have fun.” His willingness to be as close as possible to the people responsible for his successes is aptly demonstrated by the fact that at some races he sleeps in the paddock – in a bunk in the team truck – albeit not as much as last year. “My girlfriend Nathalie joins me more at the races now,” he explains, “and I don’t expect her to do this.”

His successes in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup and at the Le Mans 24 hour race made 2008 not only the most outstanding season of his career, but also gave the best proof of his diversity. During that year he drove all Porsche race cars: At the wheel of the Porsche RS Spyder he won the LMP2 class in Le Mans, in the 911 GT3 RSR he contested the Dubai 24 hour race, in the ADAC GT Masters series race at Norisring he drove a 911 GT3 Cup S, in the Porsche Carrera Cup and the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup he sat in the cockpit of a 911 GT3 Cup. “That was a crazy year,” he says looking back on his 60 races during 2008. His response to contesting only 53 races this year: “I’m not getting any younger,” he smiles. Well, on 23rd October he celebrates his 28th birthday.

A look back on a successful year

Winning the title at Abu Dhabi is also something of a late birthday present. And a great chance to look back on a successful year. This is what Jeroen Bleekemolen said about …

… the 2009 season:
“A fantastic year. I climbed the podium twelve times – who else has achieved this? I was fast at all races and didn’t make any silly mistakes. This title makes the season perfect.”

… his successful title defence:
“Winning the title again shows that last year’s success was not a coincidence and that I wasn’t just lucky. We had some other fast drivers and good teams competing this year. I’m proud that despite driving for a new team I still managed to become champion again.”

… the key to his success:
“Purely and simply consistence. And of course my team’s effort. They always managed to put a perfectly set-up car on the track for me. I was in a winning vehicle on every circuit. Even when things didn’t run so well, I was always fast enough to bring home a podium result.”

… his best victory:
“The season-opening round in Bahrain – winning there was particularly rewarding. It was the first race with my new team and I didn’t really know how things were going to pan out. After winning there I had no more doubts.”

… his Konrad Motorsport team:
“It’s great working for this team. The people have their feet on the ground and their hearts in the right place. Motorsport is their life. They work until the drop, but they know how to have fun. It’s really very important to find the right balance. Franz Konrad knows a great deal about racing, he has driven all his life and has been a team boss for very many years. You can’t pull the wool over his eyes.”

… his strengths:
“I am able to bring home a decent result even when the situation is not so good. I can get up to speed very quickly which gains time to further improve the car. This is crucial in the Supercup because you have very little practice time at your disposal.”

… his plans for 2010:
“Nothing has been set in concrete as yet. But I wouldn’t mind another year in the Supercup.”

… his dreams:
“I can compete in races and make a living from it – that is a huge privilege that not many can enjoy. I’m grateful for what I have achieved and I look forward to that which is still to come.”

Purist Mid-Engined Roadster is the Lightest Porsche

Stuttgart. Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, is introducing a new top version of the Porsche Boxster, a light mid-engined roadster making its world debut at the Los Angeles Motor Show in December.

Weighing just 1,275 kg or 2,811 lb, the Boxster Spyder is the lightest model throughout the entire range of Porsche cars. Clearly recognisable right from the start, this new mid-engined roadster represents the true, purist form of the Porsche sports car – light, powerful, consistently open, and very efficient.

This is precisely the formula already applied in creating Porsche’s most successful road-going sports and racing cars, ranging from the legendary 550 Spyder all the way to the RS Spyder so successful in motorsport today.

The Boxster Spyder now continues this clear-cut philosophy with full homologation for the road, thus reflecting a common wish expressed by Porsche customers. The new model is entering the market in February 2010 as the third version in the Boxster range, joining the Boxster and Boxster S.

The new member of the Boxster family stands out clearly at very first sight from the other versions of Porsche’s mid-engined roadster. Quite simply because the Boxster Spyder has been developed first and foremost for driving in the open air, the low-slung, light soft top extending far to the rear serving exclusively to protect the driver and passenger from bright sunshine, wind and weather. When closed, the soft top, together with the extra-low side windows and the two striking bulges on the single-piece rear lid, boasts a stretched and sleek silhouette reminiscent of the Carrera GT.

Significantly less weight than the Boxster S, a lower centre of gravity and an all-new sports suspension give the Boxster Spyder the right kind of driving dynamics clearly reflecting the unique look of the car.

The Boxster Spyder features a 3.4-litre six-cylinder with Direct Fuel Injection upfront of the rear axle. Maximum output is 320 bhp, 10 bhp more than in the Boxster S.

Equipped with PDK Porsche-Doppelkupplungsgetriebe and the Sports Chrono Package, the new Spyder, using Launch Control, accelerates from a standstill to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds. Again with optional PDK, fuel consumption is a mere 9.3 litres on 100 kilometres (equal to 30.4 mpg imp) in the NEDC New European Driving Cycle. Top speed, in turn, is 267 km/h or 166 mph – with the roof open.

In terms of its fundamental concept, the entire Boxster family is the successor to the legendary 550 Spyder built back in 1953, both models sharing the same mid-engine roadster concept, low weight, back-to-the-roots lifestyle, and supreme agility com-bined with equally outstanding driving pleasure.

The 550 Spyder was the first sports car from Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen developed specifically for racing but also homologated for the road. In the years following its production, this unique Spyder weighing only 550 kg or 1,213 lb, scored numerous victories on race circuits and in the road races so popular at the time.

The 550 Spyder was followed by other extremely successful Porsche Spyders such as the 718 RS 60 in 1960.

In 2004 and 2008 Porsche dedicated a limited edition of special Boxsters bearing the additional name Spyder to these legendary racing cars. By contrast, the new Boxster Spyder is a regular, specially developed and upgraded production model with far-reaching modifications versus the Boxster and Boxster S.

Market introduction of the new Porsche Boxster Spyder will start worldwide in February 2010. The base price in the Euro countries is 53,100 Euro. Including 19 per cent VAT and national specifications, the market price of the new Porsche Boxster Spyder is 63,404 Euro.

porsche 550 spyder

1960 Porsche 718 RS 60

 Check this out! Army Lieutenant Mike Nueman sent me this picture after a conversation we had while he was taking delivery of his 39,000 mile, 460 HP (aftermarket modifications) 2001 Turbo.

Mike is being deployed again around Christmas. Our prayers will be with him and his soldiers.

Here is the email he sent with the picture:

Wally,

Lovin the Turbo!!!!!  Wow is all I can say, what an incredible machine.   I had that thing truckin about XXXmph coming back up I95 when I left Hilton Head and it still had a seemingly unlimited amount of power. 

Attached is a picture I had promised you, it is a Porsche Dealership in Kosovo, courtesy of one of my fellow soldiers who is deployed there.  The country is 60% unemployed, but someone has money there obviously.  

Mike

If anyone has pictures of Porsche Dealerships in, what can I say, unusual countries, I would love to see them.

Mikes Turbo

This is our first sold order to arrive! How do you like it in Ruby Red?

Bleekemolen crowns championship with victory at final

With a win at the last race of the season in Abu Dhabi, Jeroen Bleekemolen from the Netherlands crowned his championship campaign in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup. Driving for Konrad Motorsport, the title defender beat his arch rival René Rast (Germany) after a gripping duel and was handed the winner’s trophy by the Chairman of the Supervisory Board at Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Dr. Wolfgang Porsche. The distinction for second place was undertaken by Wolfgang Dürheimer, Board Member for Research and Development.

After 14 laps on the new Formula 1 circuit in the UAE, Bleekemolen took a pole-to-flag victory to celebrate his fifth win of the season. Moreover, the Dutchman set a new record in the Supercup: At all 13 rounds of the series, he secured a podium result. However, with the number of race wins, René Rast was a nose ahead: The vice-champion from VELTINS MRS Racing dominated six times.

At the start, only Richard Westbrook (Porsche Cars GB) could match the pace set by Jeroen Bleekemolen and René Rast. However, in just lap two, the Briton, who won the rounds in Barcelona and Monaco this season and who claimed the GT2 class title of the FIA GT Championship in a Porsche 911 GT3 RSR a week ago, had to let the leading pair pull away. Westbrook saw the flag in third ahead of Ireland’s Damien Faulkner (Walter Lechner Racing School) and guest driver Alessandro Balzan (Ebimotors), who had put in a breathtaking charge through the field from 19th. The newly-crowned champion of the Carrera Cup Deutschland, Germany’s Thomas Jäger (Abu Dhabi Race Team), saw the flag in sixth, with seventh position going to Alessandro Zampedri (SPS Performance) ahead of Slovakia’s Stefan Rosina of the Walter Lechner Racing School squad, who secured third overall in the championship.

After Jeroen Bleekemolen had already claimed the championship with his pole-setting time before race one on Saturday, the final decision for further honours after a gripping season had to wait until Sunday: Konrad Motorsport won the team title, New Zealander Matt Halliday (SANITEC RACING) pocketed the Rookie Classification as the best Supercup newcomer.

Drivers’ comments

Jeroen Bleekemolen (winner): “A fantastic race and a super fight with René. I was slightly quicker after the start, he picked up the pace later on. I’m very pleased to have won. It was very tough. It’s great to conclude such a successful season with a victory – you can’t ask for better than that.”

René Rast (second): “Of course, I would have loved to have won and I actually think I was faster than Jeroen. But what does it matter – it wasn’t so bad today. I’m very happy with the vice-championship and six wins this season.”

Richard Westbrook (third): “Third place is a wonderful success for the team. The Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup is one of the most fiercely-contested series. So I knew that Jeroen and René would be hard to beat. They are the quickest drivers so you don’t get to overtake them so easily. Still, it was an extremely encouraging and motivating race.”

Race result – round 13 of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup 2009:

1. Jeroen Bleekemolen (NED), Konrad Motorsport, 31:36.446 minutes
2. René Rast (GER), VELTINS MRS Racing, + 0.157 seconds
3. Richard Westbrook (GBR), Porsche Cars GB, + 0.507
4. Damien Faulkner (IRL), Walter Lechner Racing School, + 12.462
5. Alessandro Balzan (ITA), Ebimotors, + 13.251
6. Thomas Jäger (GER), Abu Dhabi Race Team, + 25.075

Final drivers’ standings after 13 races:

1. Jeroen Bleekemolen (NED), 254 points
2. René Rast (GER), 207
3. Stefan Rosina (SVK), 164
4. Patrick Huisman (NED), 148
5. Norbert Siedler (AUT), 132
6. Damien Faulkner (IRL), 126

 

The pits were alive with the sound of Cayman’s, Interseries Cayman’s that is. What a great show these guys put on Friday and Saturday. I was busy working our display and lining up people for test drives and hot laps in the Panamera and did not get to take many pictures. But I did keep my eye on the action on the track as they went by and was able to get a few pictures.

 Jim Bacus in his #3 Hippy car won the Interseries race on Friday. They competed again in the 1 hour enduro on Saturday with Neil Gehani in his #36 Salzburg car placing second, David Hansson’s #1 Rothmans car in third, Collin O’Brien’s #4 Gulf car fourth and Jim Bacus in sixth. Bob Woodman won the enduro in his ‘74 Carrera RSR but what a battle it was. The Interseries cars competed again in a race of their own on Saturday after the enduro with David Hansson winning in his Rothmans car. That is a busy weekend!

 Do not miss a chance to see these guys race, you will not be disappointed. They are VERY competitive but there is a lot of camaraderie amongst them. Thanks to all of the Interseries drivers for coming and giving us a fabulous show and thanks Jim for the race results.

To see more pictures of the Cayman Interseries cars visit Drivers Reception

Win for René Rast – title for Jeroen Bleekemolen

At the premiere of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup in Abu Dhabi, René Rast (Germany) celebrated his sixth win of the season – however the championship title again went to Jeroen Bleekemolen. At the wheel of his Konrad Motorsport Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, the Dutchman secured pole position for the first of the final two rounds of the popular brand trophy series. The two extra points that he received for this were enough for him to claim the title.

On the gigantic new Formula 1 race track in the largest of the United Arab Emirates, Jeroen Bleekemolen made the best start of the field. His teammate Nicholas Tandy showed little respect for great names at his debut in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup: The Briton promptly slipped into second position and put the front-runner under enormous pressure in the first lap. Initially, Bleekemolen was able to hold off the guest driver’s attack but had to let his arch rival René Rast overtake in lap five. Competing for VELTINS MRS Racing, the 2008 Carrera Cup champion, who had travelled to Abu Dhabi holding a small title chance, was able to quickly pull away from the rest of the field to bring home his sixth win of the season.

Behind Rast, his pursuers fought fiercely for positions. After half the distance, Nicholas Tandy overtook Jeroen Bleekemolen, who didn’t try too hard to defend his position. The Dutchman had climbed the podium at every round this season and was understandably not keen to jeopardise his eventual third position. Behind the leading trio came Austria’s Norbert Siedler (VELTINS MRS Racing) in fourth, followed by Slovakia’s Stefan Rosina (Walter Lechner Racing School) in fifth.

At his first race for SANITEC RACING, New Zealand’s Supercup newcomer Matt Halliday swept past many opponents to snatch sixth place and with this looks set to win the Rookie Classification. Behind Supercup record winner Patrick Huisman (Netherlands) driving for SPS Performance, American William Langhorne (SANITEC RACING) took eighth place. Ninth position went to Britain’s James Sutton (Porsche Cars GB), who came from the Carrera Cup Great Britain to compete as a guest driver. Siso Cunill from Spain (Konrad Motorsport) saw the chequered flag in tenth.

Drivers’ comments

René Rast (winner): “That was a great race. I’m very pleased. Obviously we had the best set-up in the field, thanks to my team. My start was not perfect but after the Safety Car Phase my pace picked up. It was fierce racing today – and so at one point I just grabbed my chance.”

Nicholas Tandy (second): “I’m very happy. This was my first Supercup race and it was great fun. My start was very good and second position is more than I had hoped for. I would have loved to overtake René as well, but he was unbeatable today.”

Jeroen Bleekemolen (third): “I was amazed how several of my opponents behaved today. I was nudged by six or seven cars and that’s simply not acceptable. Of course, it’s great that we finished on the podium but I could definitely have secured a better result. We had a great car today and I could have won.”

Race result – round 12 of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup 2009:

1. René Rast (GER), VELTINS MRS Racing, 30:46.632 minutes
2. Nicholas Tandy (GBR), Konrad Motorsport, + 7.432 seconds
3. Jeroen Bleekemolen (NED), Konrad Motorsport, + 7.908

Drivers’ classification after 12 of 13 races:

1. Jeroen Bleekemolen (NED), 232 points
2. René Rast (GER), 189
3. Stefan Rosina (SVK), 148
4. Patrick Huisman (NED), 140
5. Norbert Siedler (AUT), 123
6. Damien Faulkner (IRL), 110

Round 13 of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup takes place on 1 November as support to the Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi.