Published February 26, 2024 | Last update March 28, 2026 | 7 models online
March 2026: Originally this first blog on my new website was dedicated to the Porsche 911 RSR from the Gulf Racing Team that raced at Le Mans. Mike Wainwright split from Roald Goethe (from the famous ROFGO collection of Gulf Racing cars) and continued, later he changed the name on the team in GR Racing. After the GTE category stopped, he no longer races Porsches, but a Ferrari. When I added that one I changed the name of this collection and also added the other cars they raced before the Porsches.
- This collection contains:
- Before the Porsches
- 2011 Le Mans 24h – Aston Martin V8 Vantage
- 2013 Spa-Francorchamps 24h – McLaren MP4-12C GT3
- The Porsches
- 2016 Le Mans 24h – Porsche 911 RSR
- 2019 Le Mans 24h – Porsche 911 RSR-17
- 2020 Le Mans 24h – Porsche 911 RSR-19
- 2023 Le Mans 24h – Porsche 911 RSR-19
- After the Porsches
- 2024 Le Mans 24h – Ferrari 296 GT3
Before the Porsches
2011 Le Mans 24h, Aston Martin V8 Vantage
The GT2 category has been replaced by GTE-Pro and GTE-Am and Aston Martin switched from the howling V12-engines to roaring V8’s. This AMR Middle East V8 Vantage in GTE-Am. The car sure had potential however it failed to finish after 141 laps. The car is now part of the ROFGO Collection owned by Roald Goethe, Mike Wainwright continued racing Porsches with GR Racing (see collection #001).
Gulf MR Middle East #60: Mike Wainwright (GB) / Roald Goethe (D) / Fabian Giroix (F)
Results: Start-grid 50th / time 4:04.825 / race DNF – 141 laps
Aston Martin V8 Vantage – LM GTE AM: Powered by 4.5 liter Aston Martin V8 90º, approx. 450 hp. Dunlop tires. Weight 1175 kg. Aluminum space frame, chassisnr. Prodrive #GT2/009
- SPARK S2545 (resin)
- Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS
- Also appears in #008 Gulf GT cars / #078 Aston Martin GT
2013 Spa-Francorchamps 24h, McLaren MP4-12C GT3
Before Mike Wainwright switched to the Le Mans GTE Porsches, his Gulf Racing competed with this McLaren MP4-12C at Francorchamps.
Gulf Racing #9: Mike Wainwright (GB) / Andrew Meyrick (GB) / Stuart Hall (GB) / Tim Mullen (GB)
Results: Start-grid 46th / time 2:23.061 / race DNF – 193 laps
McLaren MP4-12C – FIA GT3 PRO-AM: Powered by 3.8 liter McLaren M838T twin turbo V8, approx. 550 hp. Pirelli tires. Weight 1250 kg. Carbon fibre monocoque, chassisnr. #009
- TRUE SCALE MINIATURES TSM 144337 (resin)
- Overall rating: 5 STARS | Quality details: 5 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS
- Also appears in #008 Gulf GT cars
The Porsches
2016 Le Mans 24h, Gulf Racing Porsche 911 RSR
In 2011 Mike Wainwright and Roald Goethe formed a team under the name Gulf AMR Middle East to compete in the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup, the predecessor to the World Endurance Championship. Carrying the distinctive blue and Orange livery once again and with the support of Gulf Oil international the pair contested the championship with an Aston Martin. Since 2016 the team is led and owned exclusively by Mike Wainwright and races Porsches 911 RSR.
Gulf Racing #86: Mike Wainwright (GB) / Ben Barker (GB) / Adam Carroll (GB)
Results: Start-grid 51st / time 4:01.046 / race 33rd overall – 328 laps / 5th in GTE-AM
Porsche 911 RSR (991) – LM GTE AM: Powered by 4.0 liter Porsche M97/80 flat-6, approx. 500 hp. Weight 1245 kg. Michelin tires. Steel monocoque, chassisnr. #ZES19991S
- SPARK S5141 (resin)
- Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS
- Only appears in this collection
2019 Le Mans 24h, Gulf Racing Porsche RSR-17
Mike Wainwright is a familiair face at Le Mans. He now also uses the latest version of the 991 RSR of which the engine has moved from the back to a mid-engine postion. In fact Porsche reversed the entire engine-gearbox compared to the previous version, which is allowed in GTE LM and not in GT3.
Gulf Racing #86: Mike Wainwright (B) / Ben Barker (GB) / Thomas Preining (D)
Results: Start-grid 48th / time 3:51.944 / race 38th overall – 331 laps / 8th in GTE-AM
Porsche 911 RSR-17 (991) – LM GTE AM: Powered by 4.0 liter Porsche M97/80 flat-6, approx. 505 hp. Weight 1245 kg. Michelin tires. Steel monocoque, chassisnr. ZJS199912
- SPARK S7946 (resin)
- Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS
- Only appears in this collection
2020 Le Mans 24h, Gulf Racing Porsche RSR-19
This year, the Gulf Racing Porsche was all black and orange. What remained were team owner Mike Wainwright and Ben Barker, Andrew Watson completed the line-up.
Gulf Racing #86: Mike Wainwright (GB) / Ben Barker (GB) / Andrew Watson (GB)
Results: Start-grid 41st / time 3:52.346 / race 28th overall – 337 laps / 5th in GTE-AM
Porsche 911 RSR-19 (991) – LM GTE AM: Powered by 4.2 liter Porsche M97/80 flat-6, approx. 525 hp. Weight 1245 kg. Michelin tires. Steel monocoque, chassisnr. ZLS199913
- IXO LE43056 (diecast)
- Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 3 STARS | Estimated value: 3 STARS
- Only appears in this collection
2023 Le Mans 24h, Gulf Racing Porsche RSR-19
This was the last year for the GTE category and the 911 RSR-19 was probably the most extreme normally aspirated GT that Porsche ever built. The 4.2 liter flat-6 engine revved 10.000 rpm and delivered more than 525 hp. A touch of blue and some more orange was back on the car.
Gulf Racing #86: Mike Wainwright (GB) / Ben Barker (GB) / Riccardo Pera (I)
Results: Start-grid 49st / time 3:53.531 / race 29th overall – 312 laps / 3rd in GTE-AM
Porsche 911 RSR-19 (991) – LM GTE AM: Powered by 4.2 liter Porsche M97/80 flat-6, approx. 525 hp. Weight 1245 kg. Michelin tires. Steel monocoque, chassisnr. ZLS199913
- SPARK S8767 (resin)
- Overall rating: 5 STARS | Quality details: 3 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS
- Only appears in this collection
After the Porsches
2024 Le Mans 24h, Ferrari 296 GT3
The GTE category came to an end and the ACO turned to GT3 as its successor. The GT3 platform is incredibly popular and competitive. Mike Wainwright’s GR Racing had been racing Porsches for many years, but in the new format he switched to Ferrari. It didn’t bring the success the team had with the Porsches. The car wasn’t ready for the practice and qualifying and had to start from the back.
GR Racing #86: Mike Wainwringt (GB) / Daniel Serra (BR) / Riccardo Pera (I)
Results: Start-grid 62nd / no time / race 39th – 278 laps
Ferrari 296 GT3 – LM GT3: Powered by 3.0 liter Ferrari Tipo F163CE V6 120° twin turbo, approx. 580 hp. Goodyear tires. Weight 1250 kg. Aluminum monocoque, chassisnr. #F171 GT3 5162 (Oreca)
- LOOKSMART LSLM187 (resin, produced by SPARK)
- Overall rating: 5 STARS | Quality details: 5 STARS | Estimated value: 5 STARS
- Also appears in #053 Ferrari GT V6 & V8
Thanks for visiting 😉