at VIRginia International Raceway

Classic RS Cup Rekindles Golden Era of Original IROC Porsche 911 SeriesInaugural Five-Race 2016 Championship Debuts Memorial Day Weekend at VIRSeason Champion Awarded Exclusive BRM Chronograph Watch

Among the highlights of the return of Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) to VIRginia International Raceway (VIR) for the WISKO Grand Prix on Memorial Day Weekend, May 26 - 29, will be the debut of the all-new HSR Classic RS Cup series that will rekindle the golden era of the original International Race of Champions (IROC) Porsche racing series of the 1970s.The VIR debut will be the first of five race-weekend events this year for the HSR Classic RS Cup. Additional HSR Classic RS Cup races will be held at the Atlanta Fall Historics at Road Atlanta, September 15 - 18, the Savannah Speed Classic, October 27 - 30, the Daytona Historics, November 10 - 13, and the Sebring Historics, December 1 - 4.The Classic RS Cup is being introduced by HSR competitor and sports car racing legend Jochen Mass, a frequent driver in the original IROC series. Mass has also campaigned 1970's era IROC/RS/RS Porsches in HSR for the last few years.A popular "All-Star" series for international race car drivers, IROC's golden era is generally regarded as its first season of competition in 1974. That year featured drivers competing in identical Porsche 911 Carrera RSRs, some of which are still raced today in HSR competition.The Classic RS Cup will be open to all competitors with race-prepared and period-correct Porsche RS race cars from the 1970s. Specific 911-based Porsches approved for the Classic RS Cup include original IROC Porsches and Porsche 911 Carrera RS and RSR models ranging from 2.7 to 3 liters in displacement.

All championship-eligible cars must compete with an approved safety system and stock make and model engine and transmission, with approved allowances for exhaust and intake modifications. The Classic RS Cup will follow the HSR Standard Operating Procedures and Race Rules.Among the notable HSR Classic RS Cup entries for the VIR opener are Catesby Jones, Scott Jachthuber, Mike Banz and Kathy Blaha.Jones will compete in his 1974 white No. 19 Porsche 911 IROC prepared by GoTurnStop Motorsports/Alegra Motorsports.Jachthuber will be in action in the 1972 No. 63 Porsche 911 ST that he frequently co-drives with Robert Spence. The No. 63 is maintained by the 901 Shop.Banz will be racing his 1974 No. 13 Porsche 911 IROC, a race car he frequently co-drives with Mass. The No. 13 is prepared by Heritage Motorsports.Blaha also runs under the Heritage banner and will compete at VIR in the 1974 No. 14 Porsche 911 IROC.Each of the five inaugural HSR Classic RS Cup events include a pair of sprint races that count toward the season points championship. The top points-earning champion driver will earn a series-exclusive BRM Chronograph Watch.The HSR Classic RS Cup sprints at VIR will be held Saturday, May 28, at 4 p.m. and Sunday, May 29, at 4:05 p.m., the final race of the WISKO Grand Prix weekend.