Vehicle Description
Chassis No. WP0AA0950JN165096
CASC No. 3-1067
The Rothmans Porsche Turbo Cup series, run with identical
factory-built Porsche 944 Turbo Cup race cars, is as well
chronicled as it was exciting and colorful. See the seminal piece
"Blame Canada" in the 000's summer 2022 quarterly by Lawrence Yap.
The article illustrates the accomplishments of the national series
and such was its success that nearly every Canadian racer
endeavored take part. Canadian Motorsport Hall of Famer Ted Powell
joined the series in 1987 and returned in 1988 as it switched to
turbocharged power. Driving factory-built 944 Turbo Cup chassis
096, entered with Fuji Film sponsorship and wearing number 35,
Powell had a steady first season, finishing every race and earning
54 points. In 1989, he showed clear progress, finishing on the lead
lap in seven of eight races and placing in the top ten overall with
105 points. As successful as 1989 was for chassis 096, 1990 would
prove even better.
That year, 31-year-old Canadian racing legend and fellow Canadian
Motorsport Hall-of-Famer Ron Fellows would pilot the number 35
Turbo Cup in all eight rounds of the Rothmans Porsche Turbo Cup
series. Sponsorship of the car came courtesy of Mackenzie
investment management, Pfaff Porsche, and Process Graphics-the
white, blue, and red livery which this Turbo Cup is correctly
restored in today. Already a Trans-Am race winner, Fellows brought
that competitive spirit to the first race at Mosport Park,
finishing on the podium. Even though Trans-Am race commitments kept
him from many practice and qualifying rounds, a second consecutive
podium followed in round two in Shannonville and again at round
four at Mosport where Fellows also captured the fastest race lap.
Rounds five and six saw Fellows qualify on pole, but he was unable
to convert these due to a shunt and a disqualification over a turbo
boost issue. It is believed that the Turbo Cup received an engine
rebuild prior to the final race of 1990, The Grand Prix of Halifax.
The engine still retains its lead inspection seals stamped "Turbo
Cup" which proved to race scrutineers that the engine had not been
altered from Rothmans Series specifications. During the Grand Prix
of Halifax, Fellows was bumped from behind and sent into a barrier
in reverse, resulting in damage to the rear quarters, trunk floor,
and trunk hatch. These areas were professionally repaired, and the
overall impact was relatively minor compared to other incidents
seen in the series. Impressively, from the rear quarters forward,
the car remains original-including the hood, which still features
its original hand-painted Process Graphics logo-as well as the
windshield and other glass.
After the 1990 season, the car was sold to its second owner who
embarked on a restoration in its Ron Fellows Mackenzie livery while
maintaining its cosmetic originality. The second owner retained the
car for nearly 34 years until it was sold in 2024 to its current
owner and consigner. As exciting as the Rothmans Porsche Turbo Cup
series was in its heyday, the avenues in which the special
factory-built race cars can be used today are even more plentiful.
Offered with a recent service, this lightweight 944 Turbo Cup is
readily eligible for entry into numerous Historic Sportscar Racing
(HSR) sprint/endurance events.
