Sunday Cinema: Snow Dancing in a Porsche 911 SC RS
The year was 1984. Rally was all the rage. Danger was mainstream. And carcinogens weren’t exclusively advertised by the rumble of tailpipes.
Also in 1984, Porsche was developing a legend, but it was behind schedule: The 959 wasn’t ready when David Richards, the orchestrator of the Porsche-Rothmans deal, wanted to go rallying. So, along with Weissach, 20 examples of the Porsche 911 SC RS were built to take the manufacturer Group B rallying. Those cars also became the foundation of Prodrive, one of rally’s most famous teams.
This is one of those cars. Drifting. In snow.
It’s refreshing to see a priceless competition classic attacking a track; even more so when that track is covered in God’s frozen tears.
The Nurburgring’s Nordschleife is closed during the winter months, but its GP circuit can be used in a limited capacity. Driver Patrick Simon, who we can assume knows the location of the track apexes by memory, was lucky enough to take the 911 SC RS into the fluff.
Just listen to it. My word.
More by Mark Stevenson
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That looks so freakishly fun. I may have to run a rally cross soon to satisfy the urge.
I think most people think of 911's as track cars, but aren't aware that (from my limited experience) there is a rally history also. I've got a great picture on my desktop of a modern 911 rally car about 4-5 feet off the ground coming out of a bend frozen in mid-air.
My favorite thing about driving on snow is that all manner of drifting sliding, beyond 10/10ths hoonery can be done at slower less risky (and numerically legal)speeds, without burning out tires or overly stressing the suspension or drivetrain.
Now, THAT's how to drive in the slippery stuff. "I need an SUV," my rear end.... Love the wheelwork, and the complete lack of overshooting anywhere. Talk about smooth operator. And, Porsche really used to make some pretty darned cool cars! Who'd 've thunk?