Porsche was the first constructor to start a one car series. It was started up with 944 Car (and they became known as the Weissach Racing Turbo’s, or 951)
The 944 and the 951 (that's the turbo version of the 944 to the uninitiated) proved to be an excellent car for Porsche and its customers. So much so that in 1987 the factory race facility in Weissach built approximately 192 “Turbo Cup” cars designed to be raced around the world. These Posche’s were raced in Canada (Rothman Porsche Turbo Cup), in Europe (Turbo Cup series), in South Africa (Turbo Cup series) as well as in the Escort series in the United States. The 1988 Porsche 944 Turbo Cup featured here is one of seven imported to the US by Al Holbert (head of Porsche Motorsports North America at the time) for the Escort Series ([1]).
For the Canadian series Porsche build 32 similar 944 Turbo Cup Cars. In an effort to keep all of the cars in the Rothmans Turbo Cup series “on a level playing field” the engines were sealed at several locations with safety wire and lead seals having “Turbo Cup” embossed into them.
These cars sold for $100,000 Canadian, without any spares, back in 1998.([2])
There are many differences between the 951 and the Porsche Turbo Cup, some say as many as 100. There are factory deletes such as no sun roof, no insulation, no rust protection and no electric motors. Other differences include performance improvements such as larger brakes, larger clutch and modified transmission. While even more was done to lighten the car by as much as 400 lbs (such as a fiberglass engine hood, magnesium intake manifold and special carpets) the Porsche Turbo cup was intentionally designed to look like a 944/951 that you could buy from the dealer on Monday morning, but built as a true race car with factory installed roll cage, race seat, power kill switches, improved turbo unit, stiffened chassis, special magnesium wheels, as well as special Bilstein or Koni shock absorbers. Little modification was done to the engine, except for the turbo unit. The concept was a lighter car with improved handling and braking.
The following list represents the factory modifications to the standard car:
1. Magnesium racing wheels
2. Magnesium intake manifold
3. Magnesium oil pan
4. 928S4 brakes
5. Racing brake pads
6. Brake cooling kit
7. Strut tower brace bar over engine
8. Fiberglass hood/engine cover with race locks
9. Exterior power kill switch
10. Interior power kill switch
11. Larger high-output turbo unit
12. Larger sway bars, rear adjustable
13. High performance engine electronics
14. Surakrit safety windshield
15. Safety roll cage
16. Recaro racing seat
17. Driver racing harness
18. Lightweight side mirrors
19. Special Bilstein front struts
20. Special rear shocks with extra springs
21. Strengthened rear torsion bars
22. Heavy duty racing clutch
23. Quick ratio steering
24. Higher degree limited slip axle
25. Strengthened differential and axle gears
26. Strengthened transmission gears
27. Close-ratio 5th gear
28. Transmission oil cooler
29. ABS brakes
30. Stiffened main chassis
31. Strengthened strut towers
32. Hard rubber suspension mounts
33. Lightweight battery
34. Single engine cooling radiator
35. Underbody drag reduction panels
36. Lightweight noise insulation
37. Delete –Power steering
38. Delete –Fender liners
39. Delete –Radio, speakers
40. Delete –Headlight washers
41. Delete –Air conditioning
42. Delete –Power windows
43. Delete –Rear wiper
44. Delete –Engine shield
45. Delete –Undercoating
46. Delete –Sunroof
47. Delete –Power seat
48. Delete –Leather interior
49. Delete –Rear trunk release
50. Delete –Power mirrors
51. Delete –Door storage pockets
52. Delete –Cassette storage ([3])
This particular Turbo Cup was owned and run by German ex-pat Ludwig Heimrath. Heimrath did leave Germany to go and live in Canada (Scarborough, Ontario). Apart from a successful racing driver Heimrath also ran amongst others a Porsche dealership.
In 1988 Heimrath participated in 7 races and finished 15 th in the championship. In 1989, his final result in the 944 Turbo Cup was 8 th. In 1990 he finished the championship in 14 th position.
After the racing career of the car, it was sold to Ian Goggin of Stone Creek Ontaria. Mr. Goggin sold the car to Ronald Tietjen of Stratton Montain, Vermont, USA. Thereafter the car passed hands to Mr. Bob Miller of “At Speed Motors” in Hanover, Md, USA. Bob Miller sold the car in 2014 to the JFD collection in Belgium.
Today the car is in original, not restored condition, meaning that it does have some racing patina. The car has only covered a little under 12 k km.
With the car does come a rather comprehensive paper file consisting of:
- the period racing history
- Rothmans Turbo Cup parts bulletin
- Period Porsche documents (Fahrzeug Aussermasse & a couple of circulars on the cup car)
- A drivers education log book (PCA) belonging to R. Tietjen
- Province of Ontario issued vehicle permit
- A rose Belgian DIV document
- A rare 944 Turbo Cup (Anhang zur Betiebanleitung)
Call or inquire about the price for this unique opportunity and we will be more than glad to assist you.
[1] Source: Porsche purist.com
[2] Source: [email protected]
[3] Source: Porsche purist.com
