Vehicle Description
Chassis No. WP0ZZZ99ZES198098
The catalog description of a factory-built Porsche race car with
competition history at Daytona, Sebring, (two times at both in
fact) Watkins Glen, and COTA would typically focus on its early
exploits before delving into restorative efforts and an emerging
status as a collectible. Yet, this 2014 911 GT America isn't your
typical Porsche factory race car. Following two years of circuit
racing across the United States in the IMSA Tudor United SportsCar
Championship series by GB Autosport, featuring drivers like Damien
Faulkner and four-time Porsche Supercup series champion Patrick
Huisman at the wheel, the car was acquired by actor and
accomplished racer Patrick Dempsey who would go on to race it. Even
so, its most celebrated chapter was still to come, as the car
continued to distinguish itself with even greater successes.
The nickname "Lucy" would come to define the second act of 911 GT
America chassis number 198098 landing with the well-known Flying L
Racing outfit operated by Lisa Taylor. While Taylor is well known
for her collection of Paint to Sample 911s, driving exploits as an
autocross champion, and a member of the exclusive R Gruppe Porsche
club, it may be surprising that there is time to operate a
professional-level race team. Yet, with the help of BBI Autosport
based in Huntington Beach, California, and Lucy, she has done just
that.
Beginning in 2019, Flying L Racing, BBI, and Lucy entered the 97th
running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb with Frenchman
Raphael Astier behind the wheel. Astier was no novice, racing up to
the top of Colorado's most feared "Fourteeners" having first
completed in 2016 at the wheel of a 2009 Porsche 911 GT3 RS. The
path to the top is often described as frightful and that's from the
numerous tourists that drive to the top in the summer months when
the 14,115-foot peak is open. No matter the season, the weather
surrounding the racecourse can feature sub-zero temps, scorching
heat, soaking rain, hurricane force winds, hail, and snow-often all
in one day! With start number 19 and liveried in Day-Glo Yellow and
Black, Astier conquered the mountain capturing the Time Attack 1
class and finishing second overall with an incredible record
breaking time of 9 minutes 23.721 seconds. After a year off in
2020, Flying L Racing and Astier returned in 2021 for the 102nd
running of Pikes Peak. That year the Flying L Racing entry was
given a complete makeover by BBI liveried in bright red with a
high-downforce setup including a massive front splitter, rear wing,
and undertray diffuser and 1,200 twin-turbocharged horsepower at
the crankshaft delivered through custom electronics that auto
adjust for optimal high-altitude performance. Underpinning this
additional power is a JRZ RS Pro adjustable suspension aided by
electronically adjustable traction control. Once again, due to
immense preparation and some smooth driving from the former French
Olympian, Lucy, with start number 991, won the Pikes Peak Open
class with a 5th place overall despite a closed top section due to
icy conditions!
Early 2024 brought three unique events for Lucy, an invite to
Aspen, Colorado for Ferdi Porsche's world-famous FAT Ice Race event
driven by Patrick Long and Loni Unser, a day on the grass displayed
at the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance, and later that spring, on
display at Patrick Long's Air|Water event in Costa Mesa,
California. In June, Lucy and Loni Unser would wear the white and
gold 50th anniversary colors of Mobil 1-and the famous Unser number
92-in the annual Race to the Clouds. Unser, of course, is the scion
of the famous racing family that is best known for winning the
Indianapolis 500 11 times, but also deeply rooted in Colorado,
where three generations of Unsers have competed in the famous hill
climb-two of the longest-running motorsport events in the
world.
In preparation for the race, Lucy returned to BBI Autosport for
upgrades. Work to the car included a full competition engine
rebuild that featured pistons, cylinders, connecting rods, bearings
and gaskets. The cylinder heads were given a full valve job with
new guides, seals, and new exhaust valves. The engine was fitted
with larger Garrett G30-900 turbochargers and new wastegates along
with a new intake manifold and various sensors. Lucy's fuel system
was fully refreshed with an injector cleaning and balance, and the
fuel cell received fresh Ethanol-compliant foam. The race-spec
gearbox was disassembled and was treated to a full service and
evaluation, and a gearshift system service along with a clutch
rebuild. Outside of the drivetrain, its KW dampers were rebuilt by
PKM and received an updated springs package and the toe and upper
rear control arms were replaced along with monoball and heim
joints. The Mobil 1-sponsored bodywork was optimized with a
stronger splitter mounting. Finally, Betim Berisha's team
recertified the fire bottle, gave the car a corner balance and
alignment, and the chassis received a full nut and bolt.
A dyno sheet after the rebuild in May 2024 records 944 horsepower
and just over 700 lb-ft of torque at the wheels. In qualifying for
the race Unser solidly put the number 92 into the "Fast 15" along
with Romain Dumas and David Donohue. In April 2025, Lucy joined the
Porsche Heritage Gallery display at PCNA headquarters in Atlanta,
Georgia to give those on the East Coast a sense of the
awe-inspiring sight of a winning Pikes Peak Porsche in high
downforce configuration with nearly 1,000 horsepower.
In their time with the Pikes Peak winning car, Flying L Racing have
shown those with an eye to acquire such a special Porsche how to
make the most of their time with Lucy using it at the track,
concours show field, as a museum piece, an ice racer, and yes, as a
two-time Pikes Peak class champion. Additionally, Lucy is offered
with a list of recent work conducted by BBI and two sets of extra
wheels and tires in furtherance of the next caretaker's desires no
matter in what arena they may lie.
