Roger Penske takes the wheel of the one-off Porsche 963 RSP

Roger Penske drove the bespoke Porsche 963 RSP for the first time at Laguna Seca, a one-off Sonderwunsch creation inspired by the iconic 917.

Roger Penske has taken the wheel of the Porsche 963 RSP for the very first time — a one-off creation built in his honor by the Sonderwunsch department. The moment carried symbolic weight: after appearances in Europe and a debut ahead of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the car returned to the United States where Penske completed its initial laps at the Porsche Experience Center in Atlanta.

The testing continued at the legendary Laguna Seca circuit. Bruce Canepa and former Porsche works driver Patrick Long also drove the car, with Long describing it as "intuitive and surprisingly comfortable even for the road." His impressions underline how the 963 RSP manages to balance racing pedigree with elements of road usability.

Penske himself called the drive "an unforgettable moment," noting that the project is another milestone in a partnership with Porsche that has lasted for more than six decades. Together they have achieved victories in Can-Am with the 917, dominated the American Le Mans Series with the RS Spyder, and since 2023 have been competing with the 963 prototypes in WEC and IMSA.

The design of the car draws a direct line to history. Much like the Porsche 917 chassis 030, converted for the road in 1975, the 963 RSP features a bespoke leather and Alcantara interior and a Martini Silver paint finish, echoing the 917 that first appeared on public roads fifty years ago.

Sonderwunsch itself, relaunched in 2021, has evolved into a program of deep personalization, making projects like the 963 RSP possible. Engineers adjusted suspension, ride height, and engine control to adapt the machine for standard fuel and road use. Turn signals, wet-weather tires, and even a horn were added to make it legally drivable.

Laguna Seca holds a special place in Porsche’s story: it has hosted four Rennsport Reunion events, and in 2026 will become the home of a new Porsche Driving Center. Against this backdrop, the sight of the 963 RSP on its asphalt felt particularly fitting.

After being shown at Monterey Car Week, the car joined Penske’s private collection. While part of his collection is accessible to the public at the Penske Racing Museum in Arizona, cars like the 963 RSP will remain behind closed doors — a reminder of how Porsche’s past and present converge in one remarkable creation.