911 Roof Rack at WGI

[steveh]

Larry:

I'm in the process of adapting a small utility trailer to pull behind my 951.  When finished, it will have a tire rack and diamond plate tool chest, similar to the one in the photo. 

It looks like you may have a made-to-fit hitch for your car.  I couldn't find a Hidden Hitch for the 944, so I was forced to improvise.  I found a decent Class I Hidden Hitch on the back of a minivan at the local U Pull-it yard ($5), which I cleaned up and mounted in between the body and rear spoiler and secured to the body beneath the spare tire with some heavy-duty bolts and backing plates ($20).  The wiring ($12) -- brake and running lights -- is not difficult at all, just make sure the plug is compatible with the trailer.  With the hitch beam and ball (I know there's a word for them, but don't remember it) removed, you have to look hard to see the rest of the hitch assembly.   

A word of caution I received from a Boxster owner at a Chin Motorsports event I attended at WGI -- if you're working from a kit or buying a previously untitled trailer, get the trailer registered and tagged before you do any modifications.  His trailer was a very cool black tire carrier and black metal tool box with a Porsche crest and all, which I understand he custom-built first, and then found out he had to wait 10 months for it to be inspected and tagged as a "special purpose trailer."  My trailer is a garden-variety utility trailer, that just happens to be carrying some tools and tires. 

I also considered a roof rack, but was a little nervous about putting that much mass on the roof, especially when I couldn't see it.  At least with the trailer, you can keep an eye out in your mirrors (good practice for me for the track, my left arm almost goes out by reflex now when I check my mirrors).  The guys I've talked to who run these trailers say they're easy to maneuver and fairly stable on the highway.