Porsche 930

This 1983 road-going car has won more races outright than any other Porsche in New Zealand. It can be counted as one of the fastest road cars in the world and yet Ray can still use it as daily transport. It has leather upholstery, carpets, Blaupunkt 4 channel stereo, factory heater-demister, power operated windows and sunroof, remote central locking, radar detector and Cobra alarm.

Ray purchased this car from Colin Giltrap in 1988 and three days later won his first Bridgestone-Porsche round at Pukekohe. That was the start of a competitive and victorious racing career for the “Ivory Beast” that was originally from Bahrain. From winning the 1991 Bridgestone-Porsche Championship (overall and Class A to setting landspeed records in 1996, this car has certainly gained a place in New Zealand racing history.

Ray and his car achieved eight national land speed records on 16 March 1996 covering both the outright and road car categories. Since then this 930 Turbo has won 116 races and three championships.

In the 1990-91 racing season, before the car was modified, it won 30 races from 34 starts, winning the TACCOC Sports & GT championship (against modified Ferrari, AC Cobra, Lotus, Jaguar, Porsche, Triumph TR8, Alfa Romeo, MG, BMW, Morgan Plus 8, Corvette and a Sunbeam Tiger), as well as winning the Bridgestone-Porsche championship. Other cars beaten by this road car include: 1992 factory built Porsche 911 3.8 RSR and Cup Cars, Chevrolet Camaro and Corvette, Ford Falcon and Mustang, TVR Tuscan, Lamborghini and TR8.

This car won the first race, worldwide, of the New Millennium, just after midnight, 1st January 2000.

The race was organised by the late Stan Fox who was seriously injured in an horrific crash during the 1995 Indianapolis 500. His car hit the wall at high speed and Stan sustained head injuries. He then spent his life helping other head injury and brain damaged victims to regain their self esteem, by taking the youngsters through the pits of some of the most famous race tracks in the world. Stan was killed in a head on crash on New Zealand’s Desert Road, in 2001.

Ray took out the carpets and added in a cage ready forthe 2004-2005 Bridgestone Porsche Championship season.

The 930 Turbo was somewhat of an orphan car and was hard to be placed in the Porsche classes. The perception was that the speed and sheer horsepower overrides the old technology, 4 speed gearbox and bad handling and results in penalty weight always having to be carried. 66 kilos of tractor weights bolted to the floor add to the full tank of fuel to give a penalty weight in excess of 100 kilos.

Consequently the car did very fast initial laps, deteriorating into tyres going off quickly and spectacular sliding around corners. Its never dull driving this car and the sliding over the hill onto the front straight of Pukekohe keeps the spectators entertained especially when Ray is waving and flashing his headlights at the same time !

Despite the penalty weight, some podium finishes and great television coverage were achieved.

Over recent years, the now classic car has found a home in the Arrow Sports & GT series where it runs against many other modified cars – it looks at home amongs a wide variety of classics;  Escorts, Ferrari, Morgan, Corvette.

Engine

  • 3300cc
  • “O” ring twin spark plug heads
  • Carrillo rods
  • Raceware Studs and Bolts
  • Carrera inlet
  • Big PowerHaus intercooler
  • Big Turbo
  • Motec engine management system
  • Stainless Exhaust
  • 550+ hp
  • Huge torque
  • 935 race clutch

Interior

  • Leather trim
  • Blaupunkt 4 channel stereo
  • Electric windows and sunroof
  • Remote central locking and burglar alarm

Performance

  • Standing quarter mile: 10.8 seconds (est)
  • Standing kilometre: 20.69 seconds ( Ferrari F40 & F50= 20.9 seconds )
  • 0 – 60 mph: 3.9 seconds
  • 60 – 0 mph: 2.5 seconds

Speed in the gears

  • 1st 110 km/hr
  • 2nd 170 km/hr
  • 3rd 230 km/hr
  • 4th 300+km/hr

Weight: 1350 kg (approx)
Still fully road registered and legal New Zealand.
This vehicle is left hand drive and is one of the fastest official road cars in New Zealand

Ray and his car achieved eight national land speed records on 16 March 1996 covering both the outright and road car categories.