911 RSR Racer Sports Vintage Coke Livery for Final Race
This isn't the first time Porsche and Coke have teamed up on the track, but it is a reason to celebrate some milestones.
Nod to History
Coca-Cola and Porsche are, without a doubt, two of the most iconic brands on the planet. The two have also enjoyed some racing success together as well, with Bob Akin's Coke liveried 962 taking home a win at the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1986. Now, Porsche and Coke are teaming up one more time the 22nd Motul Petit Le Mans 10-hour race at Road Atlanta October 9-12.
Photos: Porsche
Notable Milestones
The pairing makes sense for more reasons than that as well. Atlanta is home to both Coke and Porsche North America, so there's that. And this particular race is also the last go-round for this very iteration of the 911 RSR ahead of the next-gen car's debut.
Photos: Porsche
All-Star Lineup
Porsche is bringing not one, but two of these iconic looking cars to the Petite Le Mans. The first, the No. 911 Porsche GT Team Porsche 911 RSR will be piloted by 2015 overall Petit Le Mans winners Patrick Pilet (France) and Nick Tandy (Great Britain), along with Frédéric Makowiecki (France).
Photos: Porsche
Familiar Yet Different
They'll be joined by the No. 912 car and its team, consisting of Earl Bamber (New Zealand), Laurens Vanthoor (Belgium), and Mathieu Jaminet (France). Both cars will wear the familiar "Coca-Cola" logo on the hood and "Coke Is It!" on the rear quarter panel. And like the legendary Coke 962, both cars will also feature white BBS wheels.
Photos: Porsche
Paying Tribute
For Porsche, this is also another way to pay tribute to a great division of motorsport. "Last fall, we kicked off the IMSA 50th Anniversary celebration with the fan-favorite Mobil 1 livery at Petit Le Mans," said Pedro Mota, Vice President of Marketing for Porsche Cars North America. "We began the 2019 season by highlighting still another longstanding and successful relationship with the famous red, white and blue ‘sweeps’ of Brumos Racing and Hurley Haywood."
Photos: Porsche
Coming Together
"Now, as one last tribute to honor IMSA on their Golden Anniversary, we are bringing back yet another memorable livery… a local favorite: Coca-Cola," Mota added. "As an added benefit, we get to fondly recall Bob Akin, the gentleman who first brought Coca-Cola and Porsche together with the customer 935 and 962 race cars he successfully campaigned.”
Photos: Porsche
Excitement All Around
"I can’t think of a better way for fans to celebrate the final race of IMSA’s 50th Anniversary season by seeing two of the most iconic brands in the world – Porsche and Coca-Cola – bring back an unforgettable livery," added Jim France, NASCAR Chairman/ IMSA Chairman. "Bob Akin was one of a kind, much like Porsche and Coca-Cola, and to see this livery at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta for this year’s Motul Petit Le Mans will certainly be exciting for everyone."
Photos: Porsche
Tune In
You'll be able to see these retro-styled Porsches beginning on October 10 when qualifying begins for the 22nd annual Petite Le Mans. Then, the 10-hour IMSA WeatherTech Championship finale starts on Saturday, October 12, at 11:55 a.m. ET. Not like you needed any more reasons to tune in for the event, but now you've got just a couple more!
Photos: Porsche