The Truffle Hunter Returns to Le Mans in 2018

What is your favorite cut of pork? Do you like a bit of cured Brust? Haxe? Koteletts? Huft? Perhaps you are an American, and prefer pork cracklins’? As a Porsche fan, you probably prefer your pigs whole and depicted over a short and stubby racing car. 917/20 claimed fame as the Pink Pig; a racer which appeared wider than it was long, emblazoned with cuts of pork in its livery. The original truffle hunter was designed to combine the aerodynamic advantages of both the short and long tail 917 variants appearing at the classic 24 hour race is now applied to the 2018 911 RSR racing car appearing at this year’s Le Mans. Anatole Lapine’s design caused a sensation upon its first appearance, and will continue into the 21st century on the mid-engined 911 RSR.

Porsche 911 RSR #92

While the pink pig failed to finish in its sole appearance at Le Mans, it ultimately earned a DNF and 32nd position overall, it earned its way into Porsche lore. The stubby racing car’s livery made it an icon in its own right, alongside the more conventional Martini liveried Porsches of the day. The current 911 RSR’s appearance, made wider by the current side skirts, is ideally suited to the Pink pig livery. The #92 car, driven by Kevin Estre, Michael Christensen and Laurens Vanthoor will appear in this iconic livery for the 2018 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Porsche 911 RSR #91

The number 91 car, which will be driven by Richard Lietz, Gianmaria Bruni and Frédéric Makowiecki, will appear in a simpler four-color livery inspired by the classic Rothmans Cigarette color schemes. Anyone who remembers the “Buzzin’ Hornets” liveries used by Jordan F1 and Porsche’s own bare-bones “RACING” liveries from two to three decades ago will know the legal hurdles suffered in cigarette advertising.

The current scheme is meant to evoke the one used on 956 and 962 racing cars in the 1980s, notably the winners at the 1982, ’83, ’86 and ’87 24 hour races.

911 RSRs in 2018

Ten RSRs will appear in this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans. Four will be fielded by the factory and six by customer teams. Two teams, those which normally compete in the Sports Car World Endurance Championship, will appear in the custom designs evoking classic Porsche racing cars. The other two cars will appear in the modern white, black and red livery.

In the past Porsche has not been shy about using its notable liveries to promote significant cars. We sincerely hope 2018’s Truffle Hunter is more successful than its 1971 counterpart, and manages to clinch a win in its class, unlike its legendary ancestor.