To celebrate both the 75th anniversary of Porsche Motorsport and the 50th anniversary of computing giant Apple, Porsche Penske Motorsport and Apple will continue their collaboration which started at Long Beach.
But while Porsche Penske’s Long Beach livery had only hints of the most famous Porsche-Apple collaboration of yesteryear, at Laguna Seca, the team will pay proper homage to the 1980 Dick Barbour Racing Porsche 935 K3, incorporating the well-known rainbow spectrum and the vintage Apple Computers logo.
“We’ve enjoyed a longstanding relationship with Porsche, going back to 1980 when a Porsche race car first carried the Apple logo,” said Oliver Schusser, Vice President of Apple Music, Sports and Beats. “That moment marked the beginning of a shared passion for innovation and creativity that continues to define our collaboration today.
“As Apple celebrates its 50th anniversary, we’re proud to once again partner with Porsche on a design that pays tribute to that original 1980 livery.”
Though its time in racing was short, racing in IMSA for only the 1980 season and making just one appearance at that year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans, the original Apple Computers Porsche 935 K3, run by Dick Barbour Racing and Garretson Enterprises remains one of the most memorable cars in the long history of Porsche Motorsport.
“What began with the debut of the Porsche 911 at the 1963 IAA Motor Show is mirrored by the Apple Computer: both are icons that stand for innovation and continuous development by experts in Zuffenhausen, Weissach and Cupertino”, added Thomas Laudenbach, Vice President of Porsche Motorsport.
“That is particularly true of Porsche Motorsport, where innovations have been created since 1951 under the highest competitive demands.”
Laguna Seca is just over 125 kilometres south of Apple Park in Cupertino, and has been the host of the last four editions of the Porsche Rennsport Reunion.
As for Porsche Penske Motorsport, the team has won the last two races at Laguna Seca with the 963 – and currently leads the GTP standings with Felipe Nasr and Julien Andlauer leading the Drivers’ championship.
Images © Porsche
