Randy Pobst Sends GT2 RS to Museum Instead of the Crusher

This gorgeous British Racing Green GT2 RS was destined for destruction. A lap record at Willow Springs changed its fate.

Sometimes accidents happen and cars are written off. However, it is a sad fact of life that often manufacturers send perfectly fine automobiles to the crusher. These are typically pre-production models that are not certified for road use. In order to limit liability the manufacturer sends them to be destroyed. If it is a Nissan Versa, nobody cares. Send as many of those hateful things to the crusher as you want. Sending a Porsche to an early grave is a far sadder experience. Make it 2018 GT2 RS covered in British Racing Green paint and it is almost too much to bear. GT cars hold a special place in the hearts and minds of Porsche enthusiasts. Each one is revered and coveted. If they ever are to be destroyed it should only be on a racetrack as nature intended.

Andreas Preuninger, the Father of the modern Porsche GT car understands this better than anyone. According to a report from Motor Trend Preuninger got word that a special GT2 RS was set to meet its demise and he stepped in. The car in question was not just any run of the mill GT2 RS. If there is such a thing as a run of the mill GT2 RS. This particular example was equipped with the Weissach package.

It set the production car lap record in July 2018 on the big track at Willow Springs International Raceway. Randy Pobst put down a blistering 1:21.08. Pobst enjoyed the experience so much that he signed the underside of the hood proclaiming it as his favorite 911. He was so excited that he initially wrote the wrong lap time down. That car owes its life to that lap and that signature.

Preuninger got wind that the car was headed to the crusher. He contacted Porsche Cars North America public relations and pleaded for a pardon. Pobst set a lap record in this car and then signed it. As a result, how can you possibly destroy a car like that? Well, you can’t. The powers that be decided to save this Porsche from the scrap heap. After that, not only are they not going to destroy it, but they are going to send it to the Porsche Museum. That is a much more dignified end to this record setting car. At this point the precedence has been set. If you don’t want a Porsche crushed, you just have to set a lap record in it. Given the performance capabilities of modern Porsche sports cars, that shouldn’t be too tough.

Cayman GT4 RS prototypes have been spotted quite a bit recently. Hopefully, we can get one in the hand of Pobst at some point to ensure at least one is saved from the crusher. Maybe next time instead of sending it to the museum they would send it to a member of the Rennlist forums? Or perhaps a deserving automotive writer, purely for the purposes of research of course. Well, that might be asking for a bit much. However, the next time you are in Stuttgart be sure to swing by the museum. Check out the GT2 RS along with all of the other amazing vehicles that are on display.

Photos: Motor Trend

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Joe Kucinski

Joe has been obsessed with cars since he got his very first Matchbox toy in the ‘70s. In 2003, he found a new obsession in track days that led to obtaining his SCCA competition license in 2015. In 2019, he became a certified driving instructor for the National Auto Sport Association. His love for all things four wheels has never wavered, whether it's driving some of the best cars in the world on the racetrack, tackling 2,000-mile road trips in 2-seat sports cars or being winched off the side of a mountaintop in a Jeep. Writing for the suite of Internet Brands Auto Communities sites, including Rennlist.com, Ford Truck Enthusiasts, 6 Speed and more allows him to share that knowledge and passion with others.