RACE HISTORY
Daytona Test, January 2000, Dirk Müller/Lucas Luhr, No. 51 (23rd overall)
Rolex 24 at Daytona, February 2000, Müller/Wollek/Luhr, No. 51 (46th/DNF)
12 Hours at Sebring, March 2000, Dirk Müller/Lucas Luhr, No. 5 (10th Overall, 1st in GT)
ALMS Charlotte, April 2000, Dirk Müller/Lucas Luhr, No. 5 (21st Overall)
Le Mans Test, April 2000, Müller/Wollek/Luhr, No. 83 (34th Overall)
500 km of Silverstone, May 2000, Dirk Müller/Lucas Luhr, No. 5 (18th Overall, 4th in GT)
Le Mans 24 Hours, June 2000, Müller/Wollek/Luhr, No. 83 (Disqualified After Winning)
1,000 km of Nürburgring, July 2000, Dirk Müller/Lucas Luhr, No. 5 (11th Overall, 1st in GT)
ALMS Sonoma, July 2000, Dirk Müller/Lucas Luhr, No. 5 (10th Overall, 1st in GT)
ALMS Mosport, August 2000, Dirk Müller/Lucas Luhr, No. 5 (25th Overall, DNF)
GP of Texas, September 2000, Dirk Müller/Lucas Luhr, No. 5 (13th Overall, 3rd in GT)
ALMS Portland, September 2000, Dirk Müller/Lucas Luhr, No. 5 (25th Overall, 11th in GT)
Petit Le Mans, September 2000, Dirk Müller/Lucas Luhr, No. 5 (17th Overall, 3rd in GT/DNF)
ALMS Laguna Seca, October 2000, Dirk Müller/Lucas Luhr, No. 5 (27th Overall, 10th in GT)
ALMS Las Vegas, October 2000, Dirk Müller/Lucas Luhr, No. 5 (13th Overall, 2nd in GT)
ALMS Adelaide AUS, December 2000, Dirk Müller/Lucas Luhr, No. 5 (5th Overall, 1st in GT)
Watkins Glen 250, August 2001, Kyle Petty/John Andretti, No. 45 (14th Overall, 1st in GT)

THIS CAR
Adding the letter R to a competition-spec 911 was first done by Porsche in 1967, when the 911R burst onto the scene with the engine from a 906 and extensive weight-saving modifications, creating the ultimate SWB 911 performance model. Later 911s given the same treatment were the Carrera RS of 1973-74, and RSRs of 1973-75 and later in the 1990s.

This 2000 Porsche 996 GT3 R is a fantastic example of a model that debuted in late 1999 as Porsche’s initial factory-built racing version of its new 996 GT3. Based on a modified and strengthened version of the 996 road car chassis, the GT3 was Porsche’s ultimate normally aspirated variant of the 911 and used the older Mezger version of the 911 engine, similar to those used in the 962 and 911 GT1 of the 1980s and 1990s, instead of the standard 996’s newly developed integrated dry sump unit. Extensive changes were made to the GT3 body, suspension, and power train for competition use. What was created was the GT3 R, a dominating combination of performance and reliability, hallmarks of all of Porsche’s racing 911s from day one.

The GT3 R offered here is one of two cars purchased by Dick Barbour Motorsports to contest the ALMS GT series in 2000. Barbour was returning to front-line endurance racing competition years after a very successful career racing Porsches in the 1970s, including class wins at the Sebring 12 Hours, Daytona 24 Hours, and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Involvement from Porsche in Barbour’s efforts in 2000 was significant, with the two-car team being a semi-factory effort, including drivers contracted to Porsche. The results were spectacular, with Barbour’s team winning every major GT championship by the end of the season. In addition to this car winning at Sebring, Nürburgring, Sonoma and Adelaide, this particular GT3 R was also the first finisher in the GT class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans before being disqualified after a post-race inspection showed that the fuel cell was slightly oversize – a truly heartbreaking result. Additional outings included being a spare car at the 2001 Sebring 12 Hours for Barbour, and a winning effort at the Watkins Glen 250-mile race in 2001, run by Orbit Motorsports and driven by John Andretti and Kyle Petty.

The Porsche was acquired by the consignor following its racing career and has remained in his highly-regarded collection. With an incredible global competition record raced by world-class drivers, this surely must be one of the most significant 996 GT3 Rs extant. Whether purchased for track day fun, club or vintage racing, or simply as a collector’s item, this factory-built racing 911 should please all who consider it.