Porsche will contest Laguna Seca in historic colors of the Apple Computer livery

ATLANTA. The two Porsche 963 fielded by the Porsche Penske Motorsport works team feature a racing livery that pays homage to the iconic Apple Computer spectrum livery from the 1980 Porsche 935 that raced at Le Mans.

“We’ve enjoyed a longstanding relationship with Porsche, going back to 1980 when a Porsche race car first carried the Apple logo,” Oliver Schusser, Vice President Apple Music, Sports and Beats, said. “That moment marked the beginning of a shared passion for innovation and creativity that continues to define our collaboration today. As Apple celebrates its 50th anniversary, we’re proud to once again partner with Porsche on a design that pays tribute to that original 1980 livery.”

“What began with the debut of the Porsche 911 at the 1963 IAA Motor Show is mirrored by the Apple Computer: both are icons that stand for innovation and continuous development by experts in Zuffenhausen, Weissach and Cupertino”, Thomas Laudenbach, Vice President Porsche Motorsport said. “This is particularly true of Porsche Motorsport, where innovations have been created since 1951 under the highest competitive demands.”

A Porsche race car first carried Apple colors back in the 1980 season, when Dick Barbour Racing entered an appropriately liveried 935 K3, including an appearance at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It was at that same venue that Porsche Motorsport’s success story began in 1951 with a class victory for the 356 SL.

The renewed collaboration between Porsche and Apple takes place at the ideal location: Laguna Seca is situated in northern California, roughly 80 miles south of Apple Park, the company’s worldwide headquarters. In addition, the historic circuit hosted the last four Porsche Rennsport Reunions, the largest ticketed gathering of Porsche enthusiasts in the world. At its seventh edition in 2023, Porsche unveiled the limited track racer Porsche 911 GT3 R rennsport at this venue.

The race

The fourth round of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship at Laguna Seca Raceway will be contested over two hours and 40 minutes on May 3. In the top-tier GTP category, Porsche Penske Motorsport will field two Porsche 963 entries. The No. 6 car will be shared by France’s Kévin Estre and Belgian Laurens Vanthoor. In the sister car, No. 7, Frenchman Julien Andlauer and Brazilian Felipe Nasr will take the wheel. Together with German Laurin Heinrich, the duo opened the season with victories at the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring and currently lead the championship standings. Porsche also sits at the top of the manufacturers’ classification.

“The Laguna Seca circuit suits both our team and our car extremely well,” Urs Kuratle, Head of Works Motorsport LMDh said “Last year, we achieved a one-two finish there and further underlined the status of the Porsche 963 as the most successful car built to LMDh regulations. In the beginning of April, a two-day test at Laguna Seca provided us with valuable data that will help us fine-tune our hybrid prototypes for the upcoming race weekend.”

Customer teams field three Porsche race cars in California

Customer team JDC-Miller MotorSports will contest the overall victory in the GTP class with a Porsche 963. Factory driver and former Porsche Junior Laurin Heinrich will share driving duties in car number 5 with Dutchman Tijmen van der Helm. In the GTD Pro category, AO Racing will enter the Porsche 911 GT3 R known as “Rexy”, with a twist for the Laguna Seca round featuring throwback liveries. AO Racing will run “Sketchy,” a concept of the hand-drawn design that eventually became Rexy. Nick Tandy and Harry King will pilot the 911 GT3 R, one season removed from Tandy’s second-place overall finish in the No. 7 963. Wright Motorsports will also compete with a Porsche 911 GT3 R in the GTD class, with Adam Adelson and Callum Ilott behind the wheel.

Support races on both coasts

At Laguna Seca, the two-hour IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge race will feature five Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsports in action. Porsche customer program RS1 won the race a year ago with Jan Heylen and Luca Mars behind the wheel on the way to a season-long championship.

While the sportscar focus is on the west coast, Porsche Carrera Cup North America will run in support of the Miami Grand Prix at Miami International Autodrome. A field of 20 type 992.2 Porsche 911 Cup cars will run a pair of 40-minute races. TOPP Racing’s Tyler Maxson leads the point championship entering round three.

All Porsche teams at Laguna Seca

GTP (Porsche 963):
Porsche Penske Motorsport #6: Kévin Estre (FRA) / Laurens Vanthoor (BEL)
Porsche Penske Motorsport #7: Julien Andlauer (FRA) / Felipe Nasr (BRA)
JDC-Miller MotorSports #5: Laurin Heinrich (DEU) / Tijmen van der Helm (NLD)

GTD Pro (Porsche 911 GT3 R):
AO Racing #77: Harry King (GBR) / Nick Tandy (GBR)

GTD (Porsche 911 GT3 R):
Wright Motorsports #120: Adam Adelson (USA), Callum Ilott (GBR)

Further information, film and photo material in the Porsche Newsroom: newsroom.porsche.us

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