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Porsche AG said today that Roger Penske took the wheel of the Porsche 963 RSP,* a one-off creation bearing his initials, for the first time. The car was later showcased during Monterey Car Week in California before joining his private collection. Penske completed the first shakedown and familiarization laps in the car that bears his initials on the South Track of the Porsche Experience Center in Atlanta. This let the team inspect the race car after its runs on both the road and track in Europe.
“That was a fantastic experience – an unforgettable moment to finally get behind the wheel,” said Roger Penske, Chairman of the Penske Corporation. “Our partnership with Porsche has led to an incredible history together built over six decades. This is a special moment among many in that partnership. It’s been a privilege to be a part of the team and program that led to its creation.”**
“Following this, a more extensive drive took place at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca – the venue of four Rennsport Reunion events and a future location for a Porsche Driving Centre from 2026. Friends of Laguna Seca board member Bruce Canepa lapped the legendary track, as did former Porsche works driver Patrick Long, who famously also piloted the RS Spyder for Penske between 2006 and 2008,” Porsche said.
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“It appears intimidating at first, but actually it shrinks around you and is very responsive and agile,” said Long, after driving the car on both the track and road. “It has great steering feel and the visibility is great looking forwards. The ride is pretty compliant, too, so I can see it working well on the road. What a machine – I just wanted to keep going!”
“It’s a fitting conclusion to an exciting project to see Roger drive the car for the first time as it joins his collection, where I know it will be in the best of hands,” added Timo Resch, President and CEO of Porsche Cars North America. “The heart and soul of everyone at Porsche is engrained in this car.”
*AutoInformed on
**”Inspired by, and created for, Roger Penske, the 963 RSP is a special, one-off car based on the Porsche 963 racing prototype used in the WEC and IMSA series. It has been modified extensively inside and out by the Sonderwunsch department, with unique bodywork and a bespoke interior – inspired by a Porsche 917 (Chassis 30) which featured very similar changes when it first took to the public roads 50 years ago.
“Like the 917, the 963 RSP features a custom paint finish (in exactly the same Martini Silver color worn by the 917) as well as a bespoke leather and Alcantara interior. Beyond that, adjustments were made to the dampers, ride height and engine control unit to make the car more suitable for driving on the road and even enabling it to run on standard fuel. The car was also fitted with turn signals, wet weather tires and even a horn,” Porsche said.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Penske Drives His Porsche 963 RSP
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Porsche AG said today that Roger Penske took the wheel of the Porsche 963 RSP,* a one-off creation bearing his initials, for the first time. The car was later showcased during Monterey Car Week in California before joining his private collection. Penske completed the first shakedown and familiarization laps in the car that bears his initials on the South Track of the Porsche Experience Center in Atlanta. This let the team inspect the race car after its runs on both the road and track in Europe.
“That was a fantastic experience – an unforgettable moment to finally get behind the wheel,” said Roger Penske, Chairman of the Penske Corporation. “Our partnership with Porsche has led to an incredible history together built over six decades. This is a special moment among many in that partnership. It’s been a privilege to be a part of the team and program that led to its creation.”**
“Following this, a more extensive drive took place at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca – the venue of four Rennsport Reunion events and a future location for a Porsche Driving Centre from 2026. Friends of Laguna Seca board member Bruce Canepa lapped the legendary track, as did former Porsche works driver Patrick Long, who famously also piloted the RS Spyder for Penske between 2006 and 2008,” Porsche said.
Click for more.
“It appears intimidating at first, but actually it shrinks around you and is very responsive and agile,” said Long, after driving the car on both the track and road. “It has great steering feel and the visibility is great looking forwards. The ride is pretty compliant, too, so I can see it working well on the road. What a machine – I just wanted to keep going!”
“It’s a fitting conclusion to an exciting project to see Roger drive the car for the first time as it joins his collection, where I know it will be in the best of hands,” added Timo Resch, President and CEO of Porsche Cars North America. “The heart and soul of everyone at Porsche is engrained in this car.”
*AutoInformed on
**”Inspired by, and created for, Roger Penske, the 963 RSP is a special, one-off car based on the Porsche 963 racing prototype used in the WEC and IMSA series. It has been modified extensively inside and out by the Sonderwunsch department, with unique bodywork and a bespoke interior – inspired by a Porsche 917 (Chassis 30) which featured very similar changes when it first took to the public roads 50 years ago.
“Like the 917, the 963 RSP features a custom paint finish (in exactly the same Martini Silver color worn by the 917) as well as a bespoke leather and Alcantara interior. Beyond that, adjustments were made to the dampers, ride height and engine control unit to make the car more suitable for driving on the road and even enabling it to run on standard fuel. The car was also fitted with turn signals, wet weather tires and even a horn,” Porsche said.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.