Issue link: http://digital.nexsitepublishing.com/i/100963
Meeting the Porsche Engineers On Sunday morning, the last day of Rennsport IV, there was a chance for PCA attendees to meet four retired Porsche engineers who had actively participated in the development of some of Porsche���s unique competition and production models. Ruben Ledesma, PCA VP, introduced each of the factory engineers and described the projects they had worked on. After each engineer described some of his personal experiences in his various projects, the audience could ask questions. The first engineer introduced was Walter Naeher, a race engineer, who worked for Porsche from 1969 through 1990 and was active in the 917 program and also the race development of the PDK transmission which was raced in 1986. The second engineer was Valentine Schaeffer, an engine development specialist, who first worked on the 356 four cam engine and 8 cylinder F1 engine. He also worked on the engine development of the 904, 906, 908, 910 and 917. Mr. Schaeffer helped develop the Porsche turbo charged engines, and described how every time they were able to demonstrate improved performance, their management would encourage additional effort. He mentioned that in the process of all his work, he had made 108 trips to the USA. One member of the audience asked Mr. Schaeffer what was the highest horsepower he had ever been able to get on a 917 engine and his answer was 1400. The third engineer was Norbert Singer, who worked for many years in Porsche���s racing department and was well known for his ability to interpret the racing rules to allow use of existing Porsche designs with various modifications. He started with Porsche in 1973 on the RSR series and was instrumental in development if the Porsche Group C cars, 956, 962 and GT-1. After retirement, he wrote a book on his Porsche work and appeared at the 2008 Porsche Parade in Charlotte, NC. The final engineer introduced was Alwin Springer, who was active in Porsche���s US racing activities and was eventually appointed Director of Porsche Motorsport in the US. He was active in getting the 962 displacement changed from 2.8 to 3.2 liters. His overall comment about our racing was that the US rules had become ���socialized motor sport,��� because they were designed to accommodate a majority of conventional designs that did not necessarily include Porsche designs and made it difficult for Porsches enter competitively. Following the discussions with the engineers there was an autograph session to allow the attendees to meet the speakers and ask further questions. Rennsport Reunion IV turned out to be a big success because of a large number of different activities all going on simultaneously with continuous track activity where all the cars were related. There were few if any slow moments and it is hoped that it will again be held on the west coast. 1.Turner, BJ, ���Seventh Son,��� Porsche Panorama, October, 2011. References 2.Zoelter, J, ���The Desert Fox, Porsche���s All New 911,��� Car and Driver Magazine, August, 2011. November 2011 39 www.pnwr.org Canepa Design Visit On the Monday morning after Rennsport Reunion was over, Duncan Newell, PNWR���s Special Events Coordinator, arranged for a group tour through the Canepa Design Facility in Scotts Valley, which is about 40 miles north of Marina. Canepa Design specializes in restoration and customization of special interest cars and has done a lot of work with Porsche special interest models as well as some standard production models. Nearly all the restored cars have relatively low miles and they stressed to us their policy of searching for collectible cars with minimum mileage. For a complete review, they have a website, www.canepa.com, with good photos and descriptions of all the various models they have currently worked on. The facility has two large displays of restored cars; the first floor has a number of current restoration projects that are completed and are available for sale, while the second floor is filled with historical automotive items. Among the first floor restored cars of Porsche interest was the very last 959 built in 1988 which they told us was available for $1M. Previously, Canepa Design had worked the problem of legally bringing in 959s to the US and modifying the original 450 hp twin turbo six cylinder engine to 630 hp with legal emissions. Seeing the facility and talking with the automobile enthusiasts that operate it was a marvelous ending to our fall visit.