Latest news with #IROC
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Pablo Escobar's Forgotten Passion: The Story of His Porsche 911 Carrera RSR
Read the full story on Modern Car Collector Pablo Escobar is remembered as the notorious leader of the Medellín Cartel, one of history's most powerful and dangerous drug lords. However, beyond his empire of crime, Escobar had a little-known passion—racing cars. Among his most prized vehicles was a 1974 3.0 RSR IROC, a rare classic once driven by Emerson Fittipaldi. This Porsche, originally built for the first International Race of Champions (IROC) season, would later find its way into Escobar's hands. But like everything in his life, its journey was far from ordinary. Before Escobar, this Porsche had already made a name for itself. The car was first owned by Roger Penske, who entered it into the inaugural IROC season in 1974. It was driven by Emerson Fittipaldi, one of the world's top racing drivers at the time. After its IROC career, the car found its way into the hands of John Tunstall, who raced it in IMSA events, including the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring. Then, in a surprising turn, it was sold to Pablo Escobar in Colombia, where it would take on a new life under the drug lord's ownership. Long before Escobar built his drug empire, he was obsessed with speed—not the kind he smuggled, but the kind he could feel behind the wheel. His racing career started in the Copa Renault 4 series in the 1970s, where he competed alongside Colombian drivers like Ricardo 'Cuchilla' Londoño. When Escobar acquired the Porsche 911 Carrera RSR, he modified it to look like a Porsche 935 slant-nose, fitting it with Martini Racing livery. He raced it in hill climbs and road races across South America, even betting he could finish within 15 seconds of Londoño in a hill climb event—a bet he won, a moment he reportedly bragged about for years. However, as his cartel empire grew in the 1980s, Escobar had less time for racing. His illegal fortune funded other drivers, including an unsuccessful attempt to place Londoño in Formula 1. After Escobar's death in 1993, many of his cars were destroyed by rivals or seized by authorities. However, his Porsche 911 RSR survived. The car was eventually restored to its original 1974 IROC specifications, removing Escobar's modifications and returning it to its Sahara Beige paint and race decals. In 2021, the Porsche made headlines again when it was listed for sale, reminding the world of its bizarre and historic journey—from IROC competition to the hands of the world's most infamous drug lord. With only 15 examples of the 1974 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.0 RSR IROC ever built, this car was already a rare and valuable piece of racing history. But its connection to Emerson Fittipaldi, Roger Penske, and Pablo Escobar makes it truly one-of-a-kind. It's not just a classic Porsche—it's a car that raced at the top level, became part of a cartel kingpin's personal collection, and ultimately returned to its rightful place among the world's most coveted race cars. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
NASCAR legends sign up for IROC outing at Monterey Motorsports Reunion
NASCAR legends Jeff Gordon, Mark Martin, Bill Elliott, Ken Schrader and Bobby Labonte will join Danny Sullivan and Scott Pruett to compete in the IROC race group during the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion on August 13-16 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Ray Evernham, co-owner of IROC and former crew chief for Jeff Gordon from 1993 to 1999, is eager to reunite the cars with many of their original drivers. 'I think this is the first time several of these drivers, including Jeff Gordon, have raced at Laguna Seca, and to do so during the renowned Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion is something I know they will enjoy,' said Evernham. 'I'm also excited to give fans the opportunity to get up close and personal with our drivers and the incredible group of IROC cars that will be on display.' Two drivers who may have a leg up with their extensive experience racing at Laguna Seca is McLaren Racing's CEO Zak Brown and Friends of Laguna Seca Vice President Bruce Canepa. Brown recently acquired the 1977 Chevrolet IROC Camaro that was originally driven by Cale Yarborough, Darrell Waltrip, Alan Jones, Clint Eastwood, Gene Hackman, James Brolin and Paul Newman, while Canepa will be driving a Dodge Avenger formerly driven by Dale Earnhardt, George Follmer, Emerson Fittipaldi, Richard Petty and various other motorsports icons. 'I'm so pumped that they're bringing back the iconic IROC series, when we used to be able to answer the question of who was the best of the best! Can't wait to get it out on the track,' Brown announced on social media. Four-time NASCAR champion Jeff Gordon, has raced nearly every circuit in his 30-year racing career and amassed 93 wins, 477 top 10 finishes and 81 poles while racing for Hendrick Motorsports. He was named one of NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers and was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2019. Five-time IROC Series champion Mark Martin's 31-year NASCAR Cup Series history includes 40 wins, 453 top 10 finishes and 56 poles. Among his many awards are the 1989 Richard Petty Driver of the Year, and an inductee in the 2015 Motorsports Hall of Fame of America and 2017 NASCAR Hall of Fame. Martin is the winningest IROC series driver of all time. The 2000 Winston Cup champion and 2001 IROC Series champion Bobby Labonte will get behind the wheel to defend his title run. Inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2020, Labonte captured 21 wins during his NASCAR career. The 1988 Winston Cup Series champion Bill Elliott is a multi-race winner and was one of NASCAR's most popular drivers. Over his 37-year career, he had 44 wins, 320 top 10 finishes and 55 poles. Elliott was named one of NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers in 1988 and was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2007. IndyCar legend Danny Sullivan returns to his 'home track' in Monterey. Sullivan won multiple races including the 1985 Indianapolis 500 and captured the 1988 CART championship. He also raced in Formula 1 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. He competed and won in IROC during the 1989 season. The versatile Scott Pruett won nine American road racing championships with 60 wins over four decades. He won the 24 Hours at Daytona a record five times while also achieving success in IndyCar, NASCAR, Trans Am, 24 Hours of Le Mans and IROC. Ken Schrader is best known for his driving diversity, having competed in as many as 100 races annually that included championships in the USAC and Copper series. Over his 29-year NASCAR career, Schrader finished as high as fourth place in the 1994 championship. In addition to this highly esteemed group of drivers, Al Unser Jr. will join the event to represent the Unser family as the honorary pace car driver and will be onsite for autograph sessions and other events. The IROC race compound will be inside the paddock so fans can enjoy a walk-through history under one tent and talk to owners and drivers in an open and friendly environment. 'We want to engage with fans and make their visit one to remember,' Evernham added. 'There will be autograph sessions, panel discussions and special merchandise available.' The IROC race group is one of 14 race groups to be featured at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, which is dedicated to celebrating authentic and historic race cars from the past. Entry applications are being accepted and will be thoroughly vetted for their race provenance and period-correctness to the day the car originally raced. Only the best of the best are annually accepted. Advance tickets to the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion are on sale for guests to bear witness to more than 400 historic race cars competing, the 75th Anniversary Celebration of Formula 1 and the return of the IROC race series with many of its legendary drivers behind the wheel. Individual and multi-day tickets, VIP hospitality packages and camping may be found online at or by calling the tickets and accommodations specialists at 831-242-8200. Story originally appeared on Racer
