Porsche 997 GT2 RS

The aerodynamics of the GT2 were further refined and most prominently featured the bi-plane rear spoiler, which only aided this car with outstanding driving characteristics. From a standing start, 60 mph can be achieved in as little as 3.3 seconds, according to Porsche, with 100 mph happening just over ten seconds later as the car continues sprinting to its top speed of 209 mph. Bringing this much power and speed to a rapid halt are Porsche’s signature bright yellow brake calipers, which denote the unique PCCB ceramic brake system as well as PASM adaptive suspension. With a car exuding this much sporting potential in its DNA, it is almost certain to set to impressive lap times…and that, it did!. At the Nürburgring’s Nordschleife, a factory owned 911 GT2 RS beat the Bugatti Veyron 16.4, Ferrari 488 GTB, Lexus LFA Nürburgring, and the Maserati MC12 with a time of just 7 minutes and 18 seconds.

To properly introduce the 2011 911 GT2 RS, the Press Department at Porsche Cars North America decided to show the world just how suited a Porsche was for everyday use and assigned this 911 GT2 RS (limitation number 429) to an epic 1,100 mile road trip from California to Colorado in the hands of then seven-time Pikes Peak champion Jeff Zwart. Before leaving for the Rocky Mountains the car was delivered to Porsche Motorsport North America (PMNA) in Santa Ana, California. In order to reduce weight — and break records — PMNA stripped the interior, removing many key pieces including the factory installed seats, replacing them with OMP racing seats and added a roll cage to protect the highly experienced Zwart on his “Race to the Clouds” During the journey Zwart made a stop at Miller Motorsport Park where American factory driver Patrick Long dialed in the car, signing the underside of the carbon hood before it departed for Colorado. During the test is was noted that the GT2 RS was quicker at points than Long’s Flying Lizard ALMS GT3 RSR.

Upon arrival in Colorado, Zwart would race this 911 GT2 RS in the 89th running of Pikes Peak International Hill Climb — the second-oldest continuous motorsports event in the United States, after the Indy 500. Zwart raced against the clock to the 14,115-foot summit, finishing second in class and setting a record time for a street-homologated sports car with a blistering time of 11:07.869. Certainly not how most people finish off a road trip, by setting an all-time Pikes Peak record for the fastest street-legal car to ever race (at the time) at the Peak. But then, Zwart isn’t like most people…and this 911 GT2 RS isn’t like most cars you’ll ever see on a road trip. As a final flourish, Zwart, no doubt pleased with his efforts, signed the underside of the carbon hood as well noting that up Pikes Peak that year it was the “Fastest Road Car in history.”

After conquering Colorado’s most famous race, this 911 GT2 RS has spent the majority of its life in the museum of Porsche Santa Clarita occasionally emerging for important events like Porsche Rennsport Reunion VI in 2018 with parade laps and as part of Michelin’s display at Laguna Seca. The latest engine analysis performed by Porsche Santa Clarita on 15 March 2023 indicates a touch of range four engine over rev, yet it must be noted that these occurred with approximately 12,000 miles on the odometer at 318 operating hours (approx 14,500 miles ago) and since then the consignor nor the factory trained technicians have noted any issues. Additionally, its CARFAX history reports a clean, one owner history, yet the consignor notes there was a “right rear fender brush” while idling at a traffic stop. As a result the vehicle was sent to well-known Porsche specialty shop Global Motorsports Group (GMG) for repairs and improvements. While the light cosmetic damaged piece was sent to be repaired at Sterling Collision Center Auto Body Repair, a Porsche Approved Collision Center in Tustin, CA, they remedied any other issues with the replacement of worn components with factory replacements to the factory’s own standards from its time spent racing. Records from GMG on file and available for review detail the tune, upgrades, and repairs totaling approximately $100,000.

This particular GT2 RS is the 429th example built out of a total of 500 for global consumption, with only 132 ever being sold in the United States, an extremely low number compared to the waiting lists involved with attempting to secure a limited production Porsche these days. While that fact alone is enough to impress any collector of Porsche automobiles, what sets this example apart is its provenance as a former, well-optioned PCNA Press Car and its record-setting performance at the 2011 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in the hands of Jeff Zwart.