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The past weekend saw us head down to Goodwood Motor Circuit https://www.goodwood.com/sports/motorsport/ for the Players Classic Show http://www.players-show.com/players-classic-event-info.html with our good buddy Iby from Speedwells Refinishers https://www.speedwells.co.uk, as the Porsche 997 Turbo-R was to be displayed on the Bilstein UK stand, they are our sponsor for the all new GT3RR brand and the R is first vehicle to wear the Bilstein brand in the form of the PSS10 Coilover set up, which is a welcome addition to this epic build.

Speedwells Turbo-R on route to Players Classic Show, at the Good Wood Circuit

It was an early 5.30am start for us on the Saturday morning with the final checks being done to the car before 180 mile trip to the famous circuit, the car didn’t disappoint it was flawless on route, it really is a special car, its comfortable, super fast, with supreme handling, a true thoroughbred GT car, which happens to ride so much better than a standard Porsche 997 turbo, which we were a little surprised by considering its fitted with the race specification GT3R adjustable rose jointed suspension arms, the ride quality is helped by the slightly over sized tyres that this Turbo-R is fitted with, which has been well worth the headache making this wheel and tyre combination work as it should on this build, which has certainly been tested to the maximum this weekend on the roads of Portsmouth, especially the 25 minute journey from the circuit to our hotel, as we must of encountered some of the worst stretch of pot holed roads the UK has to offer, but happy to report the Turbo-R coped extremely well.

With this being the time at the players Goodwood show we didn't know what to expect, it didn't disappoint with some amazing vehicles on display, the set out of the show has a real bespoke feeling to it, with the entrance tunnel of the show setting the scene, we must say the players crew certainly know how to set up a show, with various cars hitting the Goodwood Motor Circuit for some timed laps, it was the perfect day, fantastic weather, music, with some good company.

Goodwood Motor Circuit

Players Classic Show, Goodwood Motor Circuit 2018

At the end of a first day we head back to the Hotel in convoy with the Matt Clifford of Reflex Auto Design, and their Old & New 997 slant nose, seeing these cars together was awe-inspiring, both 997 chassis, but each with their own unique look and sound, just such a good sight and one we just had to capture, so before we headed out for food we had an hour with the cars chatting and shooting some pictures of these epic machines.

The second day was just as good with even more cars arriving, to the point they opened up the main circuit to display a huge selection of cars from every marquee, as there would be no track day blasts on the Sunday, so the cars lined up in unison along the circuit. Amongst the huge array of cars was our customer Andy Meek who managed to grab a top 10 for best wheels, with his Nissan 350Z, wheels we had supplied 2 weeks previously, it did look incredible sitting on its 9.5x19 & 11x19 RVL IRA forged 3 piece with their exclusive centre lock mechanism, the very first set to hit European shores.

Andy Meek's Nissan 350Z Fitted With 19" Centre Lock RVL Forged 3 piece Wheels

The whole feel to the show was incredible, and it was great to hang out with the Bilstein crew, with our buddy Luke from Plush Automotive turning up on the stand with his amazing Audi for the Sunday.

We can wait for next year, this is one show we can’t wait to get back too, this time the Turbo-R will have some company, in the shape of our BMW Z4 GT3 V8, now that’s a mouth-watering prospect.

Amazing shot of the Speedwells Turbo-R, from LB Photography

 

It is always good to finish a build stand back and admire what has been put together, albeit pictures or videos just do not do this build any justice, its definitely a car that need to be seen, following this beauty a few days ago made all the hairs of the back of my neck stand on end, such an incredible sight, the width of this beauty in the flesh is awe-inspiring.

The Speedwells Porsche 997 Turbo-R, outside Porsche Solihull, Birmingham

The final piece of the puzzle is being manufactured by our wheel partner Lite Speed racing, the VAD CR-Evo is making way for a set of RS5 centres that will sit inside the the 10" and 14" barrels that currently sit on the car, but will be finish in a new colour to lift some of the black out of the build.

The car will be on display though out the year at certain shows, and it really is worth seeing the car in personal to appreciate the quality of the build.

Bilstien have partnered on the build, so the first show for the car is Players Classic at Goodwood Circuit the end of this month, then its on to fitted UK.

Speedwells Porsche 997 Turbo-R, Solihull town centre, Birmingham

 

This has been one amazing build, its been a pleasure to be involved watching the transformation over the last 6 months, seeing the the vision come to fruition, not only of a road going 997 "R" but a true road looking version of the famous "r" look, it had to be a road 997 with zero hint of track car, this is the first "R" of its kind. Our previous customers builds, Sleepers Speed Shop, Speed Concepts both building road going Turbo R's, both have the look of a race car for the road, with the huge rear wing assembly and race grills, and the lack of front indicators, DRL's, flat body under floor, race wheels, likewise with our customer Scribante Racing, who built an all out track beast, which was built to compete in various GT racing around South Africa, Iby at Speedwells wanted the opposite look, he wanted a wide body Porsche 997 Turbo with the GT3R DNA, and we must say its mission accomplished.

Porsche 997 Turbo-R

We built a similar car back in 2013, with our Turbo RSR Gen 2 and looking back we made so many mistakes, over sized wheels, incorrect stance, wrong colour choice, and generally the wrong modifications of trying to get a race kit fitted on to a road going 997 Turbo, that inexperience showed in the build, especially when you look back and compare, this build is just another level, the comparison is chalk and cheese to our own build, Iby has made modifications to the kit, but they have all been thought about methodically, and that shows, the attention to detail is just immense, with the fit and finish as we have come to expect from a speedwell built car.

This is our first shoot of many that we will be doing with the car, its one beast we just love seeing in our camera lens.

 
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Rose Hill Industrial Estate
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Shropshire
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