OVERVIEW
1986 Porsche 962
VIN: HR3
When the 962 came out in 1984, FABCAR started to repair monocoques, and would eventually build seven monocoques for Al Holbert, Rob Dyson, Bruce Levin, and Hotchkis Racing. These seven HR chassis would prove to be stiffer than the Porsche built tubs, and this got the attention of the Porsche Factory. Porsche contracted with FABCAR to build all of their factory Group-C monocoques, and would also do all of the factory monocoque repairs worldwide.
This FABCAR built 962 IMSA prototype, number HR3, was delivered new by Holbert Racing (Porsche Motorsports N.A.) to Hotchkis Racing at the mid-season Camel Continental 500 at Watkins Glen on July 6, 1986. The car, sponsored by Wynn’s Engine Oil Products Company, was tested by Al Holbert and made its debut driven by Jim Adams and John Hotchkis Sr. However, in 1987 the car was in a small accident, and HR3 was taken back to the team’s shop, where it was disassembled and set aside until it was completely repaired in 1989. In 1990, the original and newly rebuilt tub debuted at the 24 Hours of Daytona, and raced for the rest of the 1990 and 1991 seasons, taking 3rd at the 24 Hours of Daytona in 1991. After the 1991, the Hotchkis 962 was retired from active duty until 1997, when it returned to the track as a formidable vintage racer.
It appeared regularly at Historic Sportscar Racing events on the East Coast from 1998 to 2001. Most recently the 962 won the GTP category race at the 2009 Monterey Historics, and in 2011 it was the fastest 962 at Porsche Rennsport IV, running at the front of the pack with much newer RS Spyders.
This car is currently powered by a 3.2 single-turbo 962 engine built by Porsche Motorsport North America. The powerplant utilizes new Porsche 911 GT1 technology, including a forged crankshaft and lower end. With its two-valve heads, Garrett turbocharger, air-to-air intercooler, and Bosch Motronic fuel and ignition management system, the engine is estimated to produce a healthy 750-plus horsepower. The power is delivered through a Porsche five-speed transaxle and Metalore axles, and it is said to be stronger than Porsche’s original equipment. The four-wheel disc brakes are from Brembo, and the shock absorbers are Penske Racing.
This one-owner car is certainly one of the best-prepared 962s in existence, and is fully race-ready and actively maintained for the track. Most recently this car took 1st Place in the FIA IMSA GTP class at the 2016 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion. The car is supplied with its original HR3 tub.
About the 962:
Porsche’s amazing 962 endurance prototype coupe, which was introduced in 1984, must certainly be ranked as one of the most successful and dominant racing designs in history. It was derived from the earlier-type 956 Coupe that was created for Europe’s World Sportscar Championship Group C, and as it was much-improved in all its variants, it proved to be tough to beat for almost a full decade, which is an almost unheard-of accomplishment.
When the 962 was introduced as an entry for IMSA’s GTP series, it was initially powered by a derivative of the highly successful 2.8-liter, air-cooled flat-six 935 engine with a single KKK turbocharger. By 1985, IMSA had eased its restrictions to create more competition, allowing the sleek Porsches to run larger 3.2-liter engines. By 1988, again in the interest of leveling the playing field, 962s were allowed to run twin turbochargers and water-cooled cylinder heads, although their air intakes were limited to 36 millimeters.
Between 1984 and 1991, a total of ninety-one 962s were built by Porsche’s racing department, with seventy-five of them being built as customer cars. During their impressive lifespan, a number were modified by various racing teams for improved streamlining and chassis performance. Among them was Holbert Racing, of Pennsylvania, which began modifying its own team cars, and then began producing a small number of improved tubs for customers through FABCAR. Their cars were labeled from 962/HR1 to 962/HR7. Dave Klym’s new Fabcar chassis incorporated aluminum honeycomb with an aluminum sheet and stronger bulkheads, to improve stiffness and crashworthiness.
Documentary on the Hotchkis Porsche 962Click Here
