The 49-year-old racecar was doing what it does best, lapping quickly around the Daytona International Speedway in November 2007. It was one of more than

400 Porsche racecars participating in Rennsport, Ill., the Porsche racecar gathering held every three years. The 2007 event was billed as the largest collection of Porsche racecars in North America.

As driver John Higgins pulled off the track into the pits, he was signaled to park the Porsche RSK among the other Porsches for the Saturday afternoon Concours d’Sport, a concours event for the racers.

“We didn’t take the car down there to show it,” owner Rick Grant said. “We took it there to race it, but they invited us into the concours, so we agreed.”

The invitation is justly deserved for the rare car; it is one of only four center-steer RSKs that the Porsche factory built for racing.

“Porsche built the cars to race in Formula 2 and other sports car races around the world, and it was very successful, with class wins at Le Mans and an overall win in the 12 Hours of Sebring the first time out,” Grant explained.

Two other center-steer RSKs are still in the United States, and one of them was also in the Concours d’Sport. Fresh from a frame-off restoration, it was immaculate and was not being lapped on the track that weekend.

When the judges finished their work, scrutinizing the various 356, 550s and the RSKs, Grant’s No. 44 machine was awarded Best of Class.

“We were really surprised,” Grant noted. “We didn’t even wipe the car off, we just parked it as is. The judges told us that they felt the car deserved the award for its historical significance, the fact that we race it four or five times a year, and that it’s unrestored.”

“I doubt the fellow with the fresh RSK was real pleased,” Grant added.

The 1959 car has been campaigned by Grant Motorsports for more than 10 years, and was owned by another Daytonian for

20 years before Grant bought it.

A flat 4-cylinder 1600 cc engine fueled by Weber carburetors and featuring a 5-speed transmission powers the 1,100-pound car. It has a tube frame chassis and independent suspension and places the driver right in the center of the cockpit. Other

RSK models built by Porsche featured two seats and left-hand drive, but could be converted to center steering for racing.

The car is headed to Sebring in early March for more track time and has been raced at the Monterey Historics, Mid-Ohio, Road America, Watkins Glen and other sports car tracks across the United States.

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The students of the Instituto Europeo di Design unveiled their Maserati Chicane concept, which won out over rival designs to win sponsorship and a spot under the bright lights of the Geneva Motor Show to show their talent to the world. Certain details aren’t likely won’t make it to production, although wit design chiefs from Maserati and Fiat AG on the selecting jury, we wouldn’t be all that surprised to see some similarities when Maserati eventually unleashes its anticipated new sportscar.

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Already a rare site, the CCX and its bio-fuelled counterpart have been recreated by Koenigsegg to feature Limited Editions of the super car. The CCX Edition model has a 4.8-litter twin supercharged V8 engine with 888 horsepower that’s limited to only 14 cars and costs a mind-blowing $1,980,000. The CCXR (Bio flexi fuel) Edition has 1,018 horsepower and is limited to six and costs even more than the CCX at $2,334,000. For the special edition version, Koenigsegg made the cars with stiffer springs and anti-roll bars, reset dampers and lowered the chassis. It also features a fully visible carbon body, with a large adjustable rear wing, larger front splitter and side strakes for increased force and a unique forged wheel design.

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Group 1 Automotive has promoted Lee Mitchell to vice president of financial services, effective immediately. Mr Mitchell will continue to report to Randy Callison, senior vice president of operations and corporate development. He has served as director of financial services for Group 1 since February 2006.

Since earning his bachelor’s degree from the University of North Texas, Mr Mitchell has held various management roles of increasing responsibility in the automotive industry. Prior to joining Group 1, he served as a vice president of dealer services of EFG Companies.

Earl Hesterberg, president and CEO of Group1 Automotive, said: “Lee Mitchell has been instrumental in developing Group 1’s finance and insurance business over the last two years. Lee’s experience and performance record are indicative of the talented management team we have working both at Group 1’s corporate office and in the field.”

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