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Porsche continually explores the technological limits of the 911. In
1986, our engineers surprised competitors by adding variable
all-wheel-drive to Ferry Porsche's then twenty-year-old concept. Three
of these "Type 959" models entered the punishing Paris-Dakar Rally. How
punishing? Out of 500 starters, only 88 completed the 22-day race. First
to finish were two Porsche 959s. Sixth place was taken by their support
vehicle, another 959 driven by two Porsche development engineers. The
car displayed here was driven by the 1986 rally winners, Rene Metgé and
Dominique Lemoyne.
The Pikes Peak International Hillclimb is a true uphill battle. There
are more than 156 turns on the way to a 14,110 foot summit, over a route
that lacks both pavement and guardrails. Victory demands quick
acceleration out of hairpin turns, brake and engine endurance in thin,
dusty air, and ample driver nerve. In last year's Hillclimb, Jeff Zwart
broke both qualifying and race records to win the HPSS class in this 911
Turbo-S. Jeff credits the car's awesome power, and the
confidence-inspiring handling of the 911 chassis and all-wheel-drive
system.
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