2000 Porsche 911 GT3 R

Addendum: Please note this lot has entered the EU on a temporary import bond, which must be cancelled either by exporting the lot outside of the EU on an approved Bill of Lading with supporting customs documentation or by paying the applicable VAT and import duties to have the lot remain in the EU.

Veuillez noter que ce lot a été introduit dans l'UE avec un cautionnement d'importation temporaire, qui devra être soldé par réexportation hors de l'UE avec un connaissement (bon de chargement) accompagné de ses documents douaniers, ou par paiement de la TVA et des droits de douane applicables s'il doit demeurer dans l'UE.

At the turn of the new millennium, and with the successes of the 993-generation 911 RSR still fresh in the minds of many, Porsche stepped back from factory racing. The RSR's replacement would be campaigned not by a Works outfit, but by numerous privateer teams with Porsche lending support. This heralded an entirely new iteration of 911, based on the GT3 model.

Launched in 1999, the 996-generation GT3 R was the first of the water-cooled racers. Its 3.6-litre flat-six Type M96/77 engine produced approximately 405 horsepower, fitted with a 41.3-mm air restrictor plate to comply with FIA category regulations. The GT3 R enjoyed huge success with notable class wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1999 and 2000. It is thought that just 65 examples of the racing car were built to 2000 model-year specification, including the machine offered here.

Delivered new to Skea Racing International of Perth, Australia in December 1999, this car's first competitive race was the 24 Hours of Daytona on 6 February 2000. Driven by Lloyd Hawkins, Johnny Mowlem, David Murry, and Rohan Skea, it was classified in 39th position overall. Mowlem and Murry took the wheel again for the 12 Hours of Sebring in March 2000—the opening round of the American Le Mans Series (ALMS)—finishing 11th overall and second in the GT category. Further ALMS outings followed at Charlotte, and the 500 Kilometres of Silverstone, ahead of it being entered at Le Mans that summer.

On 18 June 2000, wearing the race number 82, this 911 was driven again by Murry and Mowlem, joined by Sascha Maassen to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. After 304 laps, the Porsche crossed the finish line in 2nd position in the GT category, and 17th overall. Returning to ALMS competition the following month, on 9 July it was driven by Mowlem and Murry to 2nd in the GT category at the 1000 Kilometres of Nürburgring. Its ALMS season continued at the Grand Prix of Sears Point; Mosport; Texas; Rose City; and at Petit Le Mans. Its 2000 ALMS campaign concluded with visits to the Laguna Seca Raceway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and Adelaide Street Circuit. Skea Racing campaigned this car again in the 2001 European Le Mans Series (ELMS) with an outing at the 1000 Kilometres of Estoril, where it finished 13th overall.

The car was retained in Australia until March 2018, when it was acquired by its UK-based consigning owner via the marque specialist, Prill Porsche Classics. In March 2023, its history was endorsed by Gerd Schmid, former Porsche Motorsport Production Manager; his comments are available to view on file, alongside the car’s original technical specification according to factory data. At the time of sending the catalogue to print, the Porsche was undergoing race preparation at BS Motorsport in Wiltshire. This included an engine leakdown test and check over with a run on a dynamometer, the fitment of a new alternator, a crack test on other components, and fitment of other parts. Please speak to an RM Sotheby’s Car Specialist for details; bidders are encouraged to perform their own mechanical inspection prior to driving the car on the track.

This exciting 996-generation Porsche could be well placed for a return to the track in the Masters Endurance Legends or Peter Auto Endurance Racing Legends series, to which it is ideally suited.