Modern racecars are hyperbolic in nearly every sense. The tires? Massive. The brakes? Indefatigable. The power figures? Not often fully stated in public, but generally extraordinary. The array of switches? They’d make a DC-8 pilot blush. Not so the 906. The 906 is hyperbolic in one, perhaps two ways. At 580 kilograms it is lighter than any modern top-tier racing car (Formula 1 included), and, depending on the nature of your eyes, it is unimpeachably beautiful. While it lacks the brutality of the 917, or the sinuous curves of a longtail 908, it is a stunner on track.
Presented mercifully without commentary, the 906 at Thermal Club is a sight to behold. CPR Classic even bestowed upon us footage without music, save for a bit of classical music bookending the song of the 2.0-liter flat-six. The big track at Thermal Club is also devoid of distractions- there are no sponsor banners, grandstands, lights, or even trees of exceptional size. It is the perfect environment to appreciate the simple beauty of the 906.
Unlike the 917K, and virtually every car that came after, the 906 has virtually zero aerodynamic grip. With just a low nose and a small lip spoiler cleaning up the shape, the car lacks the appearance of robotic precision that often accompanies an abundance of aerodynamic grip. Instead you can watch the car lean into its tires, find its damping, set up, and move through every corner. It’s a dance rather than an exercise, and it will be a joy forever.