Ivan Vicario Martin
Nou Onze publishes a book dedicated to the Porsche 911 R with which Josep Maria Palomo was proclaimed Champion of Spain of Rally in the year 1969. The work, written by the specialized journalist Valenti Fradera, reviews in detail the trajectory of this unit, which corresponds to a really rare version of the Nine Eleven. The presentation of Porsche 911 R: chassis 118.9.9009R biography took place during the 6 Hours from Barcelona which were held just a week ago.
In fact, the unit was present at the exhibition which was held at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya as a tribute to the endurance races that were held on Montjuïc. All thanks to the reconstruction process carried out by Nou Onze, which has included the recovery of its original decoration.
A VERY SPECIAL VERSION
The Porsche 911 R can be considered as the first Nine Eleven specifically developed competition as such. It included several improvements, such as a reduced weight of 800 kilos, with aluminum doors or a magnesium crankcase. In addition, it was equipped with the 2-liter, 6-cylinder engine of the 906 or Carrera 6, which had double ignition and produced 210 CV at 8.000 rpm.
Finally, Porsche never got to approve it to compete, although they did manufacture 20 units at the end of 1967, to which another four were added for testing. These cars have a chassis number ending in R, which would correspond to "Renn", race in German. Thus, the main unit of the book, with chassis 118.9.9009R, would be the ninth of those built.
Valentí Fradera reviews the life of this “Spanish” 911 R, which was acquired by the RACC in 1969 and with which it competed Josep Maria Palomo. He made his debut with the car with victory in the Ourense Rally, also winning the Rías Bajas and the 2000 Virajes. Thanks in part to those three victories, he proclaimed himself Spanish Rally Champion, ahead of Lucas Sainz, who was a guitarist for The Pekenikes.
The story does not stop here, for covers all tests run by the carsome with names like Baturone, Pla, Cañellas or Reverter at the wheel. There were a total of 43 races with eight different drivers behind the wheel.
NOW ON SALE
It has been five years of work and research that have resulted in a 240-page book. the work is profusely illustrated, with endless photographs and documents from the archives of the RACC, Nou Onze and JAS Info Service. The pilots themselves have also contributed, with material by Josep Maria Palomo, Eugenio Baturone, Jordi Pla and Salvador Cañellas. In addition, Fradera takes the opportunity to draw a portrait of the national motorsport of the time.
The book on the Porsche 911 R is published in a limited edition and has a rustic binding with flaps. Its price is 50 euros and can be purchased at the offices of Nou Onze in Brusi street 16 in Barcelona. Those who cannot travel there, have the email address [email protected] to order your copy.
Photographs by Josep Maria Montaner and Pere Nubiola.
