2023 Porsche 911 RSR-19 #56 “Rexy”
Pilots: M. Cairoli, P. J. Hyett, G. Jeannettey
Team: Project 1 - AO
Race: 35th overall (7th in the LMGTE-Am class) at Le Mans in 2023
Spark - S8762 (resin)
Published 11/01/24
The Porsche 911 (991) RSR was a very successful racecar. Released in 2013, it was the first “mid-engined 911”, with the engine placed ahead of the rear axle. Sounds like a small detail yet in terms of handling it totally transformed the 911 on a track. Advancing the position of the engine allowed higher cornering speeds. Moreover, it also improved rear down-force and subsequently reduced rear-tire wear. Nothing earth-shattering, however, the minimal gains added up, making the RSR a winner. It racked up many IMSA wins, and at Le Mans, a lot of podium finishes. And in 2018 and 2019, it came in first. Nonetheless, the engineers at Weissach don’t habitually sit on their laurels. Therefore, in 2017 they started working on the 991 RSR’s replacement. And at the 2019 Goodwood Festival of Speed, Porsche revealed the new car: the 911 RSR-19.
Though it looks a lot like its predecessor (well, it’s still a 911…), the new RSR-19 is significantly different. And if compared to the civilian 911, it’s almost a silhouette car. They only share the innermost section of the chassis. According to Porsche, the bodywork is 95% different from the 991 RSR. Also, the new engine is quite different. The new car received the biggest boxer motor ever used on a 911. It’s a naturally-aspirated flat-6 displacing 4194 cm³ that revs up to 9200 rpm. At peak power it delivers 379 kW (515 hp) to the rear wheels through a sequential six-speed constant-mesh gearbox. The suspension system consists of double wishbones with adjustable coilovers and anti-roll bars. Stopping the 1245 kg beast is in the hands of steel brakes, with 390 mm rotors up front. In other words, a car destined to keep Porsche on top.
Founded in 2022 by P. J. Hyett and Gunnar Jeannette, Autumn Oaks Racing (AO Racing), is an American racing team. The team debuted in the 2023 IMSA Sportscar Championship, racing an RSR-19. In the team’s second race, inspired by Hyett’s children, they painted their car as a green Tyrannosaurus rex. Nicknamed “Rexy”, the car was a hit with race fans of all ages. The following year they partnered with Project 1 Motorsport, turning their sights to La Sarthe. With Project 1 being no stranger to colorful and dashing liveries, they decided to use the Rexy livery at Le Mans. On June 10th, Hyett and Jeannette, along with Andrew Haryanto, started the 24 Heures du Mans piloting a Porsche in a green dinosaur livery. However, despite being the coolest car on the grid, Rexy only managed a 35th place overall and 10th in LMGTE-Am.
So, a 911 painted as a green dinosaur, racing at Le Mans? Heck yeah 😁! Being honest, this was the model that I most wanted from the 2023 grid. It’s refreshing to see liveries that break the mold. Those corporate white, black, red and silver affairs? Friggin’ boring. This is the definition of cool. As I explained here, technically speaking, maybe Rexy is not an art car. However, I’m listing it as such. Why? Because it’s not the regular, dull, uninspired corporate sameness. It’s off the wall, inspired, fun – well, artsy. And in 1:43rd, Rexy is fantastic. Another Spark-awesome model, just stunning. As a side note, Ixo also offers this model, though I haven’t seen one yet. But based on Ixo’s track history, it will have a fantastic bang-for-the-buck. However, if you want the best, and don’t mind the extra cost, Spark is the way to go.