1988 Porsche 944 Turbo Cup "Canadian Rothmans Series"

Description

The long history of automobile manufacturers using racing to promote their designs is as old as the automobile itself. However, no manufacturer has done so with more authenticity than Porsche. By the mid-1980s, Porsche had strayed from producing GT sports racing cars while they were focused on building the 956 and 962 series of sports racing prototypes.

In 1986 Porsche returned to their roots with its very first one-make series, the Turbo Cup. Privateers or professional race teams could purchase a Porsche 944 Turbo with all manner of modifications from the factory to go racing. By 1987, these 944 Turbo Cup cars were ordered using option code M754. This option code specified the car from the customer racing department with upgrades that included a magnesium intake manifold, magnesium oil sump, a smaller and lighter alternator, a larger high-output turbo, limited-slip differential, and a transmission with close-ratio 5th gear. The car was underpinned by an upgraded suspension by Bilstein, and rolled on rare phone-dial wheels cast in magnesium. The interior featured a steel Matter roll cage with a Recaro racing seat along with other necessary safety features to meet current racing legislations. To reduce weight, the electric windows were replaced by manual version and other typical street car items such as undercoating, door pockets, air conditioning, sunroof, rear-window wiper, and radio were deleted.

By the late 1980s, Porsche’s one-make Turbo Cup series had spread across the globe with an international championship and regional championships in Germany, France, and in 1988, after two years of the Rothmans Porsche 944 Challenge, Canada as well. No doubt, the Canadians welcomed the increase in power over their normally aspirated Challenge cars from the previous season. Just 38 of an approximate global production of 200 944 Turbo Cups made their way to Canada. Entered with start number 29 between 1988 and 1990, this 944 Turbo Cup participated in seven out of eight races in 1988, all eight in 1989, and a single race in 1990 with owner/driver Reinhold Schill at the wheel.

Highlights 

• True, original one of 38 Canadian market (C36) factory built 944 Turbo Cup (M754) 

• Finished in Guards Red (Indischrot) over the race-spec Black Turbo Cup interior 

• Additionally optioned with Bosch Antilock Brake System (M593) and without body preservation coating (M666) 

• Presented in its recently restored and proper late 1980s Rothmans Porsche Turbo Cup Championship livery with paint protection film. Please see the Additional Documents section below to review the substantial high-level restorative investment (time, quality, and cost) to return the exterior to the original appearance of its first race season in 1988. 

• A consistent competitor in the Rothmans Porsche Turbo Cup Championships entering all but one race between 1988 and 1989 

• Retains its CASC log book and CASC Registered Vehicle # ID plate: 3-1077  

• Originally supported by Heimrath before being entered by team Pfaff 

• Four top 10 finishes in 1989 with three at Mosport Park and one at Mt. Tremblant 

• Fitted with a replacement “M44/52” engine block serial number 47K00669 

• Walker-style straight exhaust with a rear muffler added for Monticello and Limerock 

• All glass except windshield is original, windshield is new premium replacement 

• Extensive mechanical work completed over the past 24 months 

• Recently, the car passed an HSR annual technical inspection for the 2023 season.  On track, with a rookie driver, the car raced competitively at the HSR Mitty in April 2023, finishing 4th in class in Sprint Race 1 (Group 3), 8th overall in the highly competitive Porsche class in the Sasco race, and 6th in class in the BRM Vintage Enduro. The car also had a successful PCA Club Racing campaign, by two prior owners, from 1998 through approximately 2018. A summary of some of the results are listed in the Additional Documents section. 

• Currently titled and registered for street use, something few Weissach-built Porsche race cars can offer 

• Eligible to be entered into HSR Group 3 sprint races, HSR Endurance events, and other vintage race series, including various road-rallies 

• Offered with 51,235 kilometers or approximately 31,836 miles 

Features 

• Rothmans Blue-painted magnesium phone dial wheels shod with 2022 dated Toyo Proxes R888 R tires 

• Matter roll cage 

• Original Recaro racing seat 

• SPA Technique fire suppression system 

• MOMO suede steering wheel 

• Removed passenger seat 

• Fog light blanking plates 

• Lightweight hood prop 

• Magnesium intake manifold 

• Limited-slip differential 

• Transmission with close-ratio 5th gear 

• Smaller door mirrors specific to the 944 Turbo Cup and 911 SC RS 

• Front shock tower brace 

• Dash-mounted ABS cutoff switch 

• Electrical kill switch with driver and safety crew pull cables 

Known Imperfections 

• The consignor notes that the following safety items are not original, yet are reversible to bring back to original if desired: 

• Front suspension control arms 

• Front upper camber plates 

• Power steering 

• Aftermarket wastegate

Included 

• Import document scan from 1992 

• Service invoices from 2008 through 2023 

• CASC Log Book 

• Three PCA Log Books 

• Digital copies of period racing photography 

Ownership History

Purchased by Reinhold Schill to compete in the Rothmans Canadian Turbo Cup series, both Heimrath and Pfaff prepped this car over the 1988, 1989 and 1990 racing seasons. In 1992 the car was sold and imported to the United States in April by John Patton, a known knowledge source and spare parts supplier for Turbo Cups. By the mid-2000s, it was in the hands of well-known collector Ronald Tietjen of Connecticut Valley Region Porsche Club of America before passing to the seller. Today, this Turbo Cup is based in Virginia. 

Additional Notes

A Broad Arrow Group Consignment Specialist and fellow Canadian Rothmans 944 Turbo Cup Owner/Racer is working as an agent on behalf of the owner of this vehicle.

Contact: Ray Shaffer Phone: 904.982.7223 email: rshaffer@hagerty.com