Dubai. The one-off Porsche 963 RSP will be a highlight of the Icons of Porsche festival in Dubai on 22-23 November 2025. The road-going version of the championship winning Porsche 963 hybrid prototype sportscar will focus of the ‘Raceborn’ motorsport display at this year’s festival.
The 963 RSP was inspired by a one-off 917 built 50 years ago, when Martini heir and noted Porsche enthusiast Gregorio Rossi di Montelera commissioned Porsche to convert a 917 race car into a one-off road-going special.
Five decades on, a collaboration between Porsche AG, Porsche Penske Motorsport and Porsche Cars North America saw the same ingenuity and attention to detail create a one-off version of Porsche’s current prototype sportscar – this time for the private collection of motorsport legend Roger Penske.
It is Penske’s initials that give the one-of-a-kind car its RSP nomenclature. The car was unveiled ahead of this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans in June, alongside the trailblazing 917 that inspired its creation.
The inspiration: 917 chassis 30
On 28 April 1975 a one-off 917 race car left the Weissach development centre, amazingly driving on public roads on its journey to Paris. It was an audacious adventure driven by the passion of a private owner and the commitment of a small team within Porsche to fulfil the wishes of customers, no matter how outlandish the request.
The car – 917 chassis 30 – which was originally raced, featured an array of changes that dominated endurance racing in the early 1970s. Some of the enhancements were mandated by the laws of the time, and others at the request of its owner – Italian businessman and Martini heir Gregorio Rossi di Montelera – known more simply as ‘Count Rossi’, a renowned Porsche enthusiast.
Finished in Martini Silver, the car featured a set of rudimentary exhaust mufflers, additional mirrors, side indicators and even a horn. It carried the mandatory spare tyre beneath its rear clamshell.
Inside there were small concessions to comfort – the two seats (a requirement for endurance racers of this period) were re-finished in tan leather (commissioned from Hermes) with accompanying suede surfacers for the roof lining, doors and dashboard.
Porsche 963 RSP
The 963 RSP features significant changes over the car on which it is based. Unlike the competition race cars, which are wrapped in different colours, the 963 RSP is the first of its kind to be painted; a unique challenge due to the nature of the carbon fibre and Kevlar bodywork, which is ultra-thin in places to save weight.
In a nod to the Count Rossi 917, the 963 RSP is finished in Martini Silver and features uniquely altered bodywork and a bespoke tan leather and Alcantara interior inspired by the trim choices made by Count Rossi 50 years ago.
50 Years of Lechner Racing
Lechner Racing, the promotor of the Porsche Carrera Cup Middle East, is celebrating 50 years of operation in 2025. Founded in 1975 by the late Walter Lechner Sr., the family business is now led by the second generation, Robert Lechner and Walter Lechner Jr. As part of the celebrations, it will display three special Porsche race cars in the ‘Raceborn’ motorsport area at Icons of Porsche 2025 in Dubai.
One of the famous cars from the Lechner family’s storied racing history will be a standout: an iconic Porsche 962 C in the traditional red, white and blue livery it used to great effect in the late eighties and early nineties.
A limited-edition Porsche 911 GT3 R rennsport, one of only 77 built by Porsche, will be displayed with a modern interpretation of the historic 962’s livery.
A Porsche 911 GT3 Cup race car will also be present, celebrating the 17th season that Lechner Racing has operated the one-make Porsche Carrera Cup Middle East championship in the region.
The opening round of this year’s championship will be held in Bahrain this weekend alongside the FIA World Endurance Championship.
Further event announcements to follow
Tickets are now on-sale for the fifth edition of Icons of Porsche in Dubai. The colourful and family-friendly festival will be held in the Dubai Design District on 22-23 November 2025, again featuring classic cars, art, culture and much more.
Icons of Porsche will once again deliver a colourful and vibrant festival atmosphere, with an amazing collection of classic Porsche sportscars, the public debut of all new models, art installations, cultural displays and food and beverage from some of Dubai’s most well-known and loved food and beverage outlets.
Now a well-established annual festival in the city, Icons of Porsche brings together diverse cultures and reinforces Dubai’s reputation as a global hub for luxury, automotive excellence, and world-class international events, as well as a platform for celebrating and sharing interests.
Porsche enthusiasts from all over the world are expected to travel to Dubai, joining residents of the city in sharing their passion for the brand and its exciting products, reflecting the city’s ability to unite people through culture, creativity, and shared interests. It also highlights Dubai’s position as an international events destination, providing a unique and enriching experience for diverse, discerning audiences from around the world.
More details on this year’s festival will be announced over the coming weeks. All press announcements and Icons of Porsche content is available on the Porsche Newsroom here.
Tickets are on-sale now via IconsofPorsche.com. Follow Porsche Middle East and Africa on Instagram for more event updates.
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