The Porsche 924 GTS marked the beginning of a lifelong bond with the brand. Forty years ago, it launched a rally career that began at the International Metz Rally alongside co-driver Christian Geistdörfer. That single season in the Porsche Rally Cup delivered four wins from seven events and left an enduring impression.
After four decades apart, the story came full circle during a birthday celebration, when the fully restored 924 GTS appeared unexpectedly. Seeing and riding in the car again felt like stepping back in time, a reminder of just how special the machine had been.
The car also played a key role in Walter Röhrl’s rally career. Fresh off a World Championship and without a Mercedes rally car at the time, Röhrl was given the 924 GTS. Prepared rapidly for competition, it featured a turbocharged two-liter engine producing 280 horsepower—more than Röhrl initially requested. Demanding to drive, the turbo rewarded clean, precise inputs rather than flamboyance.
That approach paid off. Röhrl dominated the Hessian Rally, winning by over two minutes in only the car’s second competitive outing. Today, the 924 GTS remains a defining chapter in Porsche rally history.
Source: Porsche
