I’m in the pitlane at Zandvoort, fifteen miles west of Amsterdam, strapped into the driving seat of a Viper Green ’74 RSR. This track has played host to some impressive racing over the years, so it’s a treat to be here in such a wicked machine, courtesy of good friend and European R Gruppe Chaptermeister, Leonard Stolk.
Track director Paul gives us a friendly wave to say we’re clear to go. As we accelerate towards the legendary Tarzanbocht (Tarzan Corner), I check my mirror and spy a silver early 911 close behind. A few turns later, I am still finding my way with the car and the circuit, so I blend off line, ease the throttle up and let the silver car and its pursuers past. I’m surprised to see it’s an S – pretty cool.
Three laps later, my circuit knowledge is coming together, as is my confidence in the RSR’s big brakes and huge 270/335 Michelin TB15 rubber. Pace dramatically improved, we catch the S approaching the infamous Scheivlak turn, which features heavy braking over a crest, then steady throttle and…bam! full power as we hit the right-hand apex. Our car is down a few horses while the 3.0 MFI motor is off for a rebuild, but the corner speed difference sees us past with a friendly wave.
Session finished, we take a pew in the paddock. A friendly Dutchman comes and shakes Leonard’s hand: it’s Marco Leijten, owner of the early 911 we’ve been having fun with. The boys have met before through the Dutch 911 & 912 Club, but haven’t seen each other in a few years. They’ve got some catching up to do.
Marco’s car is a 2.2S, dating back to 1970. Originally an Italian model, it came north via Switzerland, just like my own ’76 Carrera 3.0 and more than a few other 911s I have encountered over the years. The 2.2 left the factory in Conda Green with brown trim, which to me sounds preferable to the present Silver coating. Not that I have anything against Silver, just a bigger thing for Conda.
Marco has owned this little S for 8 years, enjoying numerous European road trips and track days along the way. “I love the sense of occasion that goes with using a 40 year-old 911,“ he says. Previous destinations have included the Porsche factory and restoration workshops and Classic Le Mans. The car has also been on track at the famous Zolder circuit, just inside the Belgian border.
Modifications for such sports purpose use have been minimal and mostly in keeping with the car’s pedigree. Inside, the original comfort seats were replaced by handsome Sport S seats from GTS Classics: the 5704 model, in perforated leather and corduroy. The steering wheel was swapped for a Momo Prototipo and new three-point seat belts were fitted up front. Things are mostly stock outside, with Vredestein Classic tyres covering the standard deep 6s.
Track day regulations insist on easily-accessible towing points, fixed to both ends of the car. A duck tape arrow points the way up front, but the rear solution thus far has been a sturdy rope, tied to the gearbox support and taped to the rear panel. I show Marco the tidy Weltmeister towing eye and jacking pad bolted to the RSR’s engine case, and it’s immediately added to his Christmas list.
Italian market cars had different equipment specifications to other European models: no hazard warning flashers and different front sidelight/turn signal lenses/different seat belts to name a few. The absence of hazard flashers and the associated wiring can present problems when the cars are exported to other parts of the world, and this one was no exception. Marco’s maintenance specialists – the inimitable Blankemeijer Brothers of Rotterdam – soon sorted out the lacking loom.
Frans Blankemeijer has got the S running sweetly, though some attention to the bodywork will soon be called for. “I hope it doesn’t make it so nice that I no longer want to drive it to the maximum,” sums up Marco’s attitude to the impending restoration. Should this occur, he might take a leaf out of good friend Paul’s book. Paul is also here today, practicing for the 944 Basic Cup: a popular series featuring stripped-out but otherwise standard 944s. Putting the cars on slicks gives close racing for not a lot of money.
Despite the economic downturn, classic car values are holding up well in the European market. Seeing cars like Marco Leijten’s 2.2 S on track is therefore a rare treat, as so many owners now prefer to preserve their investment and stow their cars away, rather than stretch their legs on track every now and then.
My opinion is that an early 911 is as at home on track as it is ferrying a glamorous lady friend to the opera, or scorching down to St Tropez for the weekend. I’d love to see a few more people trying a relaxed day out on track. It’s the ideal way to legally sample the fun of driving an early car as fast as conditions allow, in almost total safety and within an individual’s personal comfort zone.
Meeting Marco and his sparkling little S was an unexpected pleasure on my lost weekend in Amsterdam and Germany. I’ll be keeping my eyes peeled for more of the same on upcoming European events.
