You might know that 2019 marks 50 years since the inception of the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA). Porsche has played a big part in this racing series over the decades and to honor its golden anniversary it has been painting its current race cars in some of the marques most iconic historic liveries. This year’s Motul Petit Le Mans will see the two Porsche GT Team Porsche 911 RSR race cars finished in the red and white Coca Cola livery that the famous Bob Akin Motor Racing Porsches used over a seven-year period.
Pedro Mota, vice president of marketing for Porsche Cars North America explains, “Last fall, we kicked off the IMSA 50th Anniversary celebration with the fan-favorite Mobil 1 livery at Petit Le Mans. 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. 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. 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.”
The factory Porsche 911 RSR GTLM class entries at this year’s IMSA finale honor the Coca-Cola 962 that took the Akin-led team to its most memorable win at Sebring in 1986. Both modern race cars will be painted identically save for the number plates and a white windshield banner on the N0. 911 car to be driven by Patrick Pilet (France), Nick Tandy (Great Britain) and Frédéric Makowiecki (France), and a black windshield banner on the N0. 912 car of Earl Bamber (New Zealand), Laurens Vanthoor (Belgium) and Mathieu Jaminet (France).
The two cars will have the Coca-Cola log prominently displayed on their hoods as well as the Coke Is It! phrase along the rear quarter panel. In a further nod to the 962 race cars, both 911s will feature period-correct white BBS rims.
Jim France, chairman of NASCAR and IMSA:“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. 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.” The 10-hour endurance race held at Road Atlanta in Braselton, Georgia will be taking place from 9 to 12 October.
Images courtesy of Porsche
