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The GTE-class (Gran Turismo Endurance) was launched in 2011 and marks the successor to the GT2 class. When more and more manufacturers specialized in the use of GT3 vehicles in endurance racing at the beginning of the 2020s, the GTE-class was discontinued at the end of the 2022 WEC season. Ever-increasing costs were another reason for this decision. Last season, two factory-used Porsche 911 RSR-19s took part. When it came to the paintwork, it was decided to do something very special and to include all the winning drivers and teams by name or color. Some names adorn the roof of the Porsche 911 RSR and the colorful bouquet of colors is reminiscent of winning paintwork from the past.
So that RSR fans can create a souvenir of the last WEC season, the label Ixo has build the appropriate models in scale 1:18 and 1:43. In addition to the number 91, which was driven by Gianmaria Bruni, Richard Lietz and Frédéric Makowiecki, the vehicle with the number 92 is also available. Michael Christensen, Kévin Estre and Laurens Vanthoor were behind the wheel at the RSR's last appearance in the WEC.
The 2022 WEC season consisted of six races in total, the last of which was the 8-hour race in Bahrain. At this point in the season, Porsche was aiming for victory in both the manufacturers' and drivers' championships. The race in Bahrain got off to a promising start. The RSR with the number 91 was the fastest vehicle in qualifying and was therefore allowed to start the race from pole position. What followed was a constant head-to-head race between Porsche and Ferrari. For a short time, both Porsches were even in first and second place.
The desert climate in Bahrain caused some material-related retirements and also two full-course yellow phases. Unfortunately, the yellow phases always occurred when one of the Porsches had just completed a stop. This threw the two vehicles back to third and fourth place, where they ultimately finished the race. Even if it was not enough for victory in the farewell race, Porsche can look back on many victories with the RSR.
Porsche itself calls the RSR the most uncompromising long-distance vehicle they have ever built. With a total of 35,000 test kilometers in racing, the Porsche 911 RSR is one of the most tried and tested GT vehicles of its time. Porsche shows that you can sometimes go a different way in racing by abandoning the rear engine concept that is usual for Porsche in the RSR and moving the engine further towards the middle of the vehicle and even in front of the rear axle. The RSR first started in 2017 at the 24 Hours of Daytona. In the same season, another 116 races followed and many victories in the years to come.
Porsche 911 RSR-19 Goodbye #91 Last Race WEC 2022 Bruni, Lietz 1:18 Ixo, item-no.: LEGT18-23029, RRP €79.95
Porsche 911 RSR-19 Goodbye #92 Last Race WEC 2022 Estre, Christensen 1:18, item-no.: LEGT18-23030, RRP €79.95
Porsche 911 RSR-19 Goodbye #92 Last Race WEC 2022 Estre, Christensen 1:43, item-no.: LEGT43-23009, RRP €39.95
[15.10.2024] Exceptional collector's items: model steering wheels from Formula 1
