It might be true that not all heroes wear capes after all. We found one, and ‘she’ drives a classic Porsche. Daughter of a diplomat and Colorado-based mother of four, Renee Brinkerhoff had literally put her life on hold to homeschool her children. However, after thirty long years, a desire she’s had since she drove a hot-rodded VW Beetle during her teenage years suddenly welled up in her. The idea was rallying!
Already a quinquagenarian, notwithstanding, an unfazed Brinkerhoff launched her racing team, Valkyrie Racing, in 2013. She also found a classic Porsche as the perfect automobile for her escapades. Brinkerhoff has since fulfilled her personal racing goal, but she's now racing to create awareness and raise funds to combat child trafficking. Heroic! Renee Brinkerhoff is a fearless woman who found greatness in a sport that is predominantly for men. Hence, this is an exposé on her rallying quest and her amazing race car, a Porsche 356A!
10 The 356A’s History
The Porsche 356 is a sports car that was first manufactured in 1948 by Austrian company Porsche Konstruktionen GesmbH. However, in 1950, the production of the 365 was taken over by German company Porsche AG, and in 1955, an upgraded version of the sports car called the 365A was released.
Renee Brinkerhoff’s rally car is a 1956 Porsche 356A. The car was produced till 1959, and the most popular engine that powered it was the 1.6-liter 4-cylinder boxer air-cooled naturally aspirated engine with an output of 59 horsepower.
RELATED: A Detailed Look Back At The Porsche 356
9 The Tuners
A 1956 Porsche 356A, coincidentally, Brinkerhoff’s rally car was 'born' the same year as her. Also, it retains its original classic bodywork due to the racing rules. But that’s as stock as this Porsche gets. In preparation for rallying, the car was further modified by Denver-based Greg Johnson of Eurosport.
Furthermore, Jim Ansite in California handed the modification for Brinkerhoff’s return to La Carrera Panamericana in 2017, while Tuthill Porsche in Oxfordshire was contracted to prepare the car for the remaining events after that.
8 The Modification
A stock 59 hp-producing powerplant is understandably inadequate for the demands of modern-day racing. Hence, the 356A originally had its engine upgraded by Porsche specialist Fat Performance to a 2.0-liter boxer, based on the Type 4 engine used in Porsche 914 and VW’s 411/412 models.
The performance modifications include dual Weber carburetors and 11:1 compression for an output of 152 horsepower. Also, the engine is mated to a five-speed manual transmission, while other upgrades include four-wheel disc brakes and a limited-slip differential among others.
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7 La Carrera Panamericana
To launch her foray into rallying, Brinkerhoff unknowingly chose a very adventurous, yet extremely dangerous event, the La Carrera Panamericana. It was originally a 2000-mile border-to-border sports car and sedan racing event on Mexican open roads which lasted from 1950 to 1954.
The race was ended in 1954 due mainly to the increasing number of deaths associated with it. However, it has since been resurrected in 1988 and has continued ever since. In search of adventure, Brinkerhoff unintentionally found terror, but she conquered it.
6 Racing Glory
Having realized how dangerous the La Carrera Panamericana was, and to have seen people lose their lives in accidents even on the first day of the race, you’d expect most first time racers to lose the desire to compete out of fear, but not Brinkerhoff.
Aged 57 when she made her debut in 2013, Brinkerhoff pushed her Porsche to the limits, winning her class — the Sport Menor category — to become the first woman to win a La Carrera class on her debut.
5 Close Shave
Participating in a race event that’s considered the most dangerous of its type in the world surely would have its dangers. Hence, Brinkerhoff had close calls. The most terrifying incident happened during her third year of racing the La Carrera.
Driving on what was later revealed to be overinflated tires, Brinkerhoff ran into a guardrail during a quick maneuver to avoid hitting spectators. The impact badly damaged the car, but it was fixed using parts gotten from local Porsche collectors, and still ended up completing the race.
4 Brinkerhoff’s Legacy – The Project 356 World Rally Tour
La Carrera Panamericana completely changed Brinkerhoff. She grew in confidence and fame after each race. Inspired by her achievement at the rally and her newly found huge popularity, Brinkerhoff decided to start a charitable racing campaign after her third La Carrera event.
Called the Project 356 World Rally Tour, the campaign is being used to draw attention to the fight against human trafficking. Starting again from the La Carrera, the tour features six races that have taken Brinkerhoff and her Porsche round six continents of the world, left only with the seventh.
RELATED: Here's What We Love About The Carrera Panamericana
3 20,000 Miles & Counting
Brinkerhoff hasn’t been subtle in her quest for racing glory. With her classic race car, plenty of guts, and extreme determination, Brinkerhoff took the races more seriously than a mere adventure. She has raced competitively in the East African Safari Classic, Peking-to-Paris event, and the Targa Tasmania.
Also, she has raced in Africa, Asia, South America, North America, Europe, and Oceania (with Antarctica next) in her quest to race in all seven continents of the world. In total, Brinkerhoff has racked up about 20,000 miles of racing distance on her Porsche 356A.
2 The Antarctica Race
So far, Brinkerhoff has raised over $200,000 through donations to Valkyrie Gives, the philanthropic arm of the Project 356 World Rally Tour. But the goal is a million, and she’s ready to get it done. Her last race of the tour will take her to Antarctica.
For this trip, the 356A is being prepped by Tuthill, and it’ll be fitted with tracks, skis, and a front crevasse bar, among other modifications. Brinkerhoff will race on a 356-mile mapped-out route in the Union Glacier in the company of famous polar explorer, Jason De Carteret.
1 Tribute To The Porsche 356A
Brinkerhoff’s Porsche has seen her through it all. Notably, Brinkerhoff’s rally exploits from its inception have always been in actual race competitions. However, with competition so hard to come by in the Antarctic, Brinkerhoff will dedicate the last leg of the Project 356 World Rally Tour to her classic Porsche.
Since it’s a Porsche 356A, Brinkerhoff will cover a distance of at least 356 miles in the Antarctic ice in honor of her classic race car. On completion of the tour, the 1956 Porsche 356A will also become the first classic car to race on all seven continents. Incredible!
