Porsche 356 A Transformed Into Winter-Dominating Racer

Final Stretch

We've certainly seen our fair share of wild custom Porsches over the years, but Renée Brinkerhoff's Porsche 356 A might just be the absolutely craziest thing we've ever seen. Brinkerhoff has already rallied her classic Porsche around the world to support the philanthropic branch of the racing team, Valkyrie Gives, which aids women and children at risk, with a special focus on ending child trafficking. Now, the Porsche has been treated to some new modifications as she prepares to race on the only continent she hasn't thus far - Antarctica.

Photos: Porsche

Breaking Barriers

"While we are extremely proud of completing each endurance rally we’ve entered, our true mission has been for our racing efforts to become a worldwide visual that supports our vocal pursuit to end child trafficking,” says Brinkerhoff. "We’ve had a goal to break barriers and set new records and we’re hopeful our Antarctic expedition will do just that."

Photos: Porsche

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Complete Re-Engineering

The 356 is already in transit to Chile via ship from its workshop in the UK and, upon arrival, will be air-shipped to the extreme conditions that await at the Union Glacier in Antarctica. Brinkerhoff and the Valkyrie Racing team will rendezvous in Chile at the end of November, and if the weather cooperates, the subzero sprint will begin in Antarctica on December 5 and should be completed before the end of the year. The long-awaited journey was pushed from late 2020, and the more than 18 months of planning have also allowed the naturally-aspirated flat-six 356 to undergo a complete re-engineering for the treacherous terrain.

Photos: Porsche

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Leaving Tracks

"Success for Renée and her car will come from the thoughtful balance of appropriate technology we’ve added, and the mass reduction implemented," said Kieron Bradley, Senior Chassis Design Engineer for the project. Bradley replaced the rear tires of the vehicle with snow tracks, and a pair of skis were attached to the front along with a specialized brace and suspension system. For stabilization, the 356 will use a single-arm suspension with coilover shocks for both the tracks in the rear.

Photos: Porsche

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Mass Reduction

While the addition of skis and tracks has increased the overall mass of the 356 - an issue because low weight is key to driving over the ice rather than sinking in - the mass per square inch, or footprint, has been reduced to less than four percent of the standard wheel displacement. "The ski we’ve created must do 40-50 percent of the work, by compacting and prepping the snow for the track unit to follow over, with the underside blade guiding the direction. This ensures the tracks will not submarine under the light snow," explains Bradley.

Photos: Porsche

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Unique Test

Bradley also had to consider that the skis and tracks must be easily removable so that spiked ice tires can be re-fitted with no wheel alignment changes necessary. A pneumatic inflatable jack will be used to make the change. Joining Brinkerhoff in the 356A for the polar trek will be British explorer Jason de Carteret, who will act as navigator. De Carteret has led more than 50 expeditions, including to both the North and South Pole, and together with Bradley, he has claimed two world records for the fastest overland journey to the South Pole traveling in the Thomson Reuters Polar Vehicle, which they designed. "As often has been the case when taking on a new terrain in my 356, I have had no opportunity to test the car," Brinkerhoff said. "The test will come when we are at Union Glacier and we are very hopeful the new design will prove itself in spades. As I have been told by Jason and Kieron, there is no terrain on earth like Antarctica and therefore no place where a true test can be taken."

Photos: Porsche

>>Join the conversation about this 356A racer right here in the Rennlist forum.

Monumental Effort

The Project 356 World Rally Tour is both an expedition and a humanitarian effort, and the December 2021 challenge completes the ultimate endeavor by one woman, one car, and one global mission to help end child trafficking. Through Valkyries Gives, the philanthropic arm of her racing team, Brinkerhoff has raised close to half a million dollars, with 100 percent of the proceeds benefitting victims of trafficking around the world. By its conclusion, Brinkerhoff will have driven close to 32,000 kilometers over all seven continents, partaking in endurance rallies such as Peking-to-Paris, the East African Safari Classic Rally, and La Carrera Panamericana.

Photos: Porsche

>>Join the conversation about this 356A racer right here in the Rennlist forum.

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