Update: A press release from Gunther Werks relating to the accident has been added to the story.
A modified Porsche 911 from California resto-modder Gunther Werks crashed closely at Laguna Seca throughout testing final week. A consumer within the r/Porsche Subreddit posted a picture of the damaged car, a growth mule for the company’s new Turbo model, a 750-horsepower 993, on a flatbed. On Instagram, Gunther Werks confirmed the “incident” and that the driving force is “okay.”
Motor1 reached out to Gunther Werks for extra info, and the corporate offered this assertion:
Gunther Werks has continued to check the Turbo Mule growth prototype forward of manufacturing, which is slated to start supply later in 2024. Development testing at racetrack poses inherent threat, and sadly our growth prototype was concerned in an on-track incident at WeatherTech Raceway at Laguna Seca throughout a two-day session on March nineteenth and twentieth, 2024.
While testing, our crew put the Turbo Mule via strenuous challenges as a part of this program. Fortunately everybody escaped with none damage, the driving force obtained clearance by the trackside security crew, and no different automobiles have been concerned. The driver was checked by an off-site medical skilled and cleared. Despite this being a avenue automotive for the restricted function of growth, the driving force was carrying full FIA racing gear, together with a hearth swimsuit, helmet, and a HANS system for the whole lot of testing.
In the curiosity of full transparency, we will verify that the automotive skilled a substantial quantity of injury. Specifically, the Turbo Mule’s roof was impacted as a consequence of a rollover. It is necessary to notice that the event prototype was not but fitted with Gunther Werks’ carbon fiber roof panel that buyer automobiles obtain; nor was it geared up with a roll cage, as we don’t match them to buyer commissions, with the emphasis on the automobiles being road-going and never race automobiles. A chassis stiffening bar was put in within the rear cabin, along with a harness bar with harnesses and an FIA-rated seat used throughout the check. The automotive was additionally fitted with a hearth suppression system.
At Gunther Werks, security is simply as paramount as efficiency. Rest assured that we’re actively retrieving all information, totally reviewing the findings with our crew, and understanding how and why the incident occurred to make sure the manufacturing model is protected as attainable and performs as anticipated.
Gunther Werks is a household and a very powerful factor to us is that our driver sustained no damage. We are happy with our crew and their dedication. We respect all of our followers and motoring fanatics for his or her continued help and understanding.
On Instagram, the corporate mentioned “Unfortunately, the second day of testing was cut short when the GW Mule went off-track and sustained incident damage. Goals were achieved, times were set, cars are repairable, and lessons are valuable.”
“We are grateful everyone is okay and look forward to getting back to HQ to apply everything we learned this week for the next track day soon.”
The Reddit consumer claims that it was Patrick Long, a longtime Porsche manufacturing unit driver and model ambassador, driving. We requested Gunther Werks to verify whether or not that is the case, however, Long did publish on an Instagram story that he’s having fun with “[a] much needed R+R break with the family. All is well.” Long is understood to do growth work with the corporate, driving one in all its automobiles at a Laguna Seca Corkscrew hillclimb occasion.
While the Gunther Werks Turbo makes use of a 993 physique shell, a lot of the panels are made out of carbon fiber. A Road & Track story notes that the automotive prices round $1 million.
Photo: Gunther Werks