1982 – Porsche 911 SC/RS

SC/RS 911 was a Group C transfer. Rothmans – as their sponsor – needed a machine for Group B rallying, so 911 was a natural choice. As all rally veterans, from Groups 1 to 4, could get a newly formed Group B papers, Porsche filed their 911 SC Group 3, and after constructing 20 EVO examples, they were allowed to compete with an RS machine.

Homologation specials – Coupe, Cabrio and Targa

New rules put 1100kg min. weight restrictions on bigger engines. That is the reason why Porsche didn’t use their most recent 3.2 Carrera powertrains – and they chose older variant of a 3.0 SC-derived motor. Prodrive got huge money from their sponsors: Rothmans, Shell and Michelin – all of whom sent thick cheques to their Silverstone-based team. 20 cars were made – 5 of which raced with Prodrive stickers. All the rest was sold “road-legal”. Rothmans Porsche Rally Team led a successful SC/RS campaign in the early Group B era, but they couldn’t pick up the fight against specially derived AWD beasts, because – let’s face it – they lacked AWD. Their top result was a 3rd in 1982 Monaco and twice again the Corsica (1982 and 1985).

What’s worth noting – if you wanted to rally Porsches, then you could take practically anything from their catalogue. 924s had Group B papers, 928s and the 944s. They were often seen in minor asphalt events, but none could hold the stick to a 911. All in all, Germans had plans to replace their 911s with a 959 Gruppe B, but major delays on the development stage made it impossible – prolonging the SC/RS career till the Group B cancellation in 1986.