this video
from the start of this year's Nurburgring 24-Hour and try not to raise a smile. It's everything we love from motorsport (bar the speed limits): great cars, a legendary circuit and loads and loads of noise.
It comes from onboard the Falken 911 GT3 R, a car which eventually finished third after a gruelling 24 hours. And now that very car is for sale on the PH classifieds. Which is pretty cool.
Imagine a sportscar racing world without 911s. Everyone does crow on about them a fair bit but between early Rs and STs to the wild 935s, the GT1 of the 90s and the more recent GT3s there's a fair few incredible motorsport 911s. In amongst the V10s and V8s of its current rivals, the flat six remains unique and instantly recognisable from the grandstands.
911s are still very successful too, as this car and so many others have proved. The layout may be wrong but it's been made to work, with power and grip and traction going up along the way.
Enough eulogising; to the car in question. This particular chassis has been raced by the Falken Motorsport team since last April, described in the ad as a car that's "connected to countless memories and experiences, tears of joy and elation." It's clearly a car that's much loved by its team and one they're sorry to let go.
Now 500,000 euros is a lot of money. However, in the current climate of daft values for roadgoing 911s, that doesn't look ridiculous for a proven racing car with some good competition provenance. Looks like a great livery too. And yellow lamps always make a car more appealing.
It's a very privileged kind of person who can afford to buy racing cars, but it turns out they're spoilt for choice. Delving a little further afield than PH reveals GT3 versions of the Mercedes SLS, Bentley Continental and Ferrari 458, all for sale at £200,000 or thereabouts. Perhaps you would have to buy a few to race with friends, just to see which car (and driver) is quickest...
If you're quick (it ends tomorrow), the Falken GT3 is on display at the Essen motor show. Failing that it resides in Offenbach, very close to Frankfurt. That makes it about three hours from Spa. Wonder if they can deliver? Seems like the perfect place for a first drive.
here.
FALKEN MOTORSPORTS PORSCHE 911 GT3 R
Price: £500,000
Why you should: Podium-placed Porsche from this year's 'ring 24-hour!
Why you shouldn't: Plenty of other GT3 cars available for the money
See the original advert here.