(July 7, 2013) LONDON — Goodwood is honoring one of the world’s most versatile and popular sports cars — the Porsche 911 — with the main Central Feature at the 2013 Festival of Speed from July 11-14. The 911-inspired sculpture promises to be a highly distinctive "art installation" and will be displayed, as has become the tradition, prominently outside Goodwood House.



For five decades, the 911 has been at the heart of the Porsche brand. Few other cars in the world can look back on such a long tradition and continuity as the Porsche 911.

It has been inspiring car enthusiasts around the world since its debut as the model 901 at the IAA International Automotive Show, Frankfurt, in September 1963. Today it is considered by its many devoted fans as the quintessential sports car, the benchmark for all others. The 911 is also the central point of reference for all other Porsche series. Every Porsche is the most sporting car in its category, and each one carries a piece of the 911 philosophy.

Over 820,000 Porsche 911s have been built since 1963, and examples of each of its seven generations will be present at the 2013 Festival of Speed. From the very beginning the car has been at home on race circuits and rally stages all over the world, earning a reputation as a quick and dependable winner. In fact, two thirds of the 30,000 race victories achieved by Porsche to date have been recorded by the 911.

Demonstration runs by historical Porsche road and race cars spanning the seven generations of the 911 will be a highlight of the event, and many of these cars will instantly evoke fond memories among spectators. At the wheel will be a variety of famous drivers with strong affinity to Porsche including two-time winner of the Le Mans 24 Hours and German Touring Car Champion, Hans-Joachim Stuck, current 911 RSR factory team driver Jörg Bergmeister, alongside former works aces Richard Attwood and Vic Elford.

With support from the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart, private collectors and enthusiasts, a number of significant editions of the 911 will be in action at the Festival. Further examples of significant Porsche competition cars including the 917 and 962 will also feature.

Porsche Cars GB has gathered together a stunning line-up of seven generations of 911 road cars, which clearly shows the evolution of the iconic sports coupe over the past five decades.

To lead the procession, the Porsche Museum is sending a very special, original 911 to Goodwood. As part of an innovative "Follow the 911" world tour, this 1967 car has been engaged as a rolling ambassador for Porsche at various international events, trade fairs, historic rallies and racing events inFrance, China, Pebble Beach, California and Australia during the year. The car’s progress can be followed at porsche.com/follow-911.

This will be joined by successive examples of the 911, each of which is sure to have a special place in fans’ hearts. As a consequence of its evolutionary development, the 911 is one of few cars that is referred to by its model series, in a vernacular that can be confusing to newcomers. Hence the ‘G-Series’ (1973-1989), ‘Type 964’ (1988-1994), ‘Type 993’ (1993-1998), ‘Type 996’ (1997-2005), ‘Type 997’ (2003-2013) and the latest ‘Type 991’ (from 2011).

The 911 is one of the world’s most versatile racing cars, with successes on the circuits and rally stages around the globe. As a counter-point to the road-going models, there will also be a parade of seven 911 race cars.

A highlight will be the 1973 911 RSR 2.8, which won the Sebring 12 Hours in the USA that year and effectively established the reputation of the Porsche coupe as a serious race car in America.

Illustrating perfectly the extremes of achievement by the 911 in motor sport, the Porsche Museum is sending two examples of the rallying 911 - an SC ‘Safari’ and ‘Paris Dakar’ Carrera 4x4 - and two race cars, a ‘Type 964’ 911 RS from the 1993 Porsche Supercup Championship and ‘Type 996’ 911 GT3 RSR from the 2003 American Le Mans Series.

Like every Porsche, the 911 has its roots in racing. From its earliest days, the rear-engined coupe was triumphant. In the 50th anniversary year, Porsche Cars GB has developed an exciting initiative to celebrate this heritage in a very fitting manner; racing a classic 911 in Historic motor sport. The 1965 "short wheelbase" 911 races under the "Project 50" team banner in selected ‘Masters Series’ events alongside appearances at larger festivals such as Silverstone Classic and the Nurburging Oldtimer GP. The distinctive ‘Project 50’ 911 will be proudly participating at the Festival, in a break from its race program.

Porsche 911 GT3 Cup – world’s best-selling race car

Built in a production series of more than 2,000 since 1998, the 911 GT3 Cup is the best-selling racing car of all time. The ‘Type 997’ 911 GT3 Cup car is based on the 911 GT3 RS road car, and powered by a rear-mounted, 450 horsepower 3.8-liter flat-six engine.

First run in 2003, the Porsche Carrera Cup GB is the fastest single marque racing Championship in Britain and provides thrilling support to the British Touring Car Championship at circuits up and down the country.

The Carrera Cup GB has established itself as the perfect platform for drivers looking to further develop their careers in GT sports car racing. With the identical 911 GT3 Cup race cars putting the emphasis squarely on driving talent, close racing is guaranteed.