For Immediate Release

Porsche Passion Brings Louisiana Enthusiast to VIR Gold Cup Historic Races

Alton, Va. (May 25) – The Cars of Germany are being featured in this year’s Gold Cup Historic Races at VIRginia International Raceway over the weekend of June 9-11, and for Phil Daigrepont of Kenner, La., it’s an opportunity not to be missed.

The Porsche 908/3 is a very significant piece of Porsche history. In 1970, Porsche was making headlines in the world’s most significant endurance races with its iconic 917 model, including winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in both 1970 and 1971. However, the 917 wasn’t particularly well suited for the World Championship of Makes rounds at the legendary 17.6-mile Nurburgring circuit and in the Targa Florio, a 472-mile event over the twisty public roads of Sicily. For those two races only, Porsche developed the 908/3, a short-wheelbase, lightweight aluminum space-frame open-cockpit sports racer powered by a 3.0-liter “boxer”-type eight-cylinder engine with a fully-synchronized five-speed gearbox. The car weighs 1100 lb, has 350 hp and will go 0-to-60 in 3.8 seconds with a top speed of 190 mph. Of the four races in which the car was entered by the works team (two at the Nurburgring and two at the Targa Florio), it won three times.

Further research by Daigrepont uncovered 908/3 chassis no. 002, which was a test and development car for the Porsche factory team, in the process of being shipped to the United States for restoration. Daigrepont made a deal to purchase the car, and had to wait two years for the restoration to be complete. Its first post-restoration public appearance was at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, where it won a number of awards. Shortly thereafter, Diagrepont took the car off the concours circuit and began hitting the track regularly for vintage racing.

Daigrepont is bringing the car to VIR for the Gold Cup Historic Races, and is looking forward to returning to what he describes as one of his favorite racetracks.

“I love racing at VIR,” he said. “It’s a very fast, very technical and very challenging circuit to which the 908/3 seems to be particularly well-suited. VIR has a great atmosphere for vintage racing, because it’s a beautiful facility with a very friendly staff, and the track itself has a ‘vintage’ feel to it because it’s an old-fashioned, high-speed track of the type nobody is building anymore. I’m really looking forward to racing in the Gold Cup Historics, and to putting on a great show for the fans.”

Entries for the event are still being accepted, and VIR will waive the $50 late-entry fee. Entry forms will be available on the track’s website at www.virclub.com, or can be obtained by calling the track at (434) 822-7700 x116. The entry form, updated entry list, tech information and schedule are posted on the VIR website.

Enthusiasts who wish to enter the Gold Cup Car Show can enter their cars at no charge, and each car show entrant will be eligible for a free on-track parade lap during lunchtime on Saturday. Judging will be informal, with spectators voting for their favorite cars.

Advance three-day Super Tickets for the Gold Cup Invitational Historic Races will be priced at $30. At the gate, three-day Super Tickets will be priced at $40. Also, single-day tickets will be available for Friday ($10, gate only), Saturday ($15 advance/$20 gate) and Sunday ($15 advance/$20 gate). VIR is a family-friendly facility, where children 12 and under are admitted free with a paying adult. Spectator camping is available. Call 434-822-7700 x300 or x116 for advance ticket sales.

For more information on VIR or the Gold Cup Historic Races, visit the track’s website at www.virclub.com or telephone 434-822-7700.