In 2007 I got an email from photographer and PCA member Doug Waters that there would be an event at Daytona International Speedway that I should check out. It's called Rennsport Reunion III and it turned out to be a stellar collection of Porsche automobiles that may never be matched or surpassed. Fifteen 917s, the largest gathering assembled since 1970 were there including the Pink Pig and the Psychedelic Hippie long tail. The Sunoco Can-Am with it's 1100kW flat-12 was there along with the Steven McQueen's movie car from Le Mans which is currently part of jerry Seinfelds collection. Jerry was actually going to drive the car but had to do press for his upcoming " Bee Movie". This Red 959 I found tucked under the stands was also Jerry's or so I heard. A few legendary Porsche drivers did make the Reunion and walking along pit road I caught a glimpse of Vic Elford, Richard Attwood, David Piper, Derek Bell and Brian Redman. It was the vision and hard work of Porsche North America motorsports and brand heritage manager, Bob Carlson, who has since passed away, that led to the first Rennsport Reunion at Lime Rock in 2001. Without Carlson the future of Rennsport reunion remains questionable.
Carlson had four legendary 917s shipped over from the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart Germany and it was thrilling to see the #22 Le Mans winning 917K, the Martini Longtail, the infamous Pink Pig and the prototype 16-cylinder 917-027 Can Am Spyder. Some other fine examples were displayed from the prestigious Collier including this as is 917. I actually did the masonry work on the Collier's Naples beach home so I guess I should check out their collection but for now we'll have to settle for my pictures of arguably the greatest Porsche gathering ever!
