DRIVEN | Super rare, ex-works, Porsche 996 GT3 RSR (one of three!)

[@DenfMotorsports]

The 996, but especially the GT3, seems to be finally recognised for the amazing drivers car it is, rather than for the fried eggs.

[@hancock_sam]

Ha! Yeah, I think you’re right. It’s interesting how many of my racing buddies have been in touch to say that they always preferred the 996 RSR to the 997

[@DenfMotorsports]

@@hancock_sam That is interesting. I can't speak for the RSR since I never had the pleasure of driving one, but even if you consider the street 996/997 GT3 there is an argument that the former has an lsd configuration and brake balance (and pedal feel) which are better suited for track work. But for me it is somehow hard to believe that at a Motorsport level there could be reasons to prefer the older 996 RSR over what essentially is an evolution of the "same" car. It would really be interesting to have some further insights as to what drove these people to this conclusion. As a bit of a track fanatic that loves spending hours thinking about possible setups and experimenting with different solutions, these insights are very interesting.

[@luka.brammy]

Exactly, and fried eggs are yum anyways

[@Euphorica]

They are all great drivers

[@ghostriderpa31]

996 📈📈

[@MW-uy3np]

I've always said this is the best race car Porsche ever built. This is the ultimate version of the car that marked the change from past to future for Porsche. This is also when they got really fast.

[@hancock_sam]

The more I learn about the 996 RSR, the more I realise how under acknowledged its significance. It’s an absolute monster in the pantheon of Porsche’s racing history, totally dominated its class, and was so strong that it even won two of the great blue ribbon events outright.

[@robertdevald]

This car is incredible, the videography is fantastic, the commentary is insightful! Thank you for this masterpiece!

[@hancock_sam]

Thank you so much. I’m glad you enjoyed it (and hopefully subscribed?!🤞🏼) More to come…;)

[@CMR556]

Why does this guy only have around 6.000 subs??? Also based on the other videos on the channel… this is phenomenal

[@hancock_sam]

Thank you for that! Working on it..;)

[@CMR556]

@@hancock_sam please keep on working 🤩

[@Jardier]

My father drove Coca Cola Machanek Racing Porsche in Czech national championship and one race during FIA GT at Brno. First they had normal RS with H pattern shifter and later RSR version with sequential. Till this day my most favorite car ever, sound and everything all together was back in the day such an crazy beast! :) Amazing video mate, gives me such nostalgia!

[@hancock_sam]

Love it! V cool. Your dad still racing? I raced once only at Brno, FIA Sportscars back in 2001. Great track. Great city!

[@jonathanrice-exec11]

The 996 GT3s sound so good in person; The early 2000s was a great time for FIA and the Le Mans series

[@hancock_sam]

Yeah for sure. Halcyon days for GT cars for sure!

[@fyfyi6053]

I think the FIA GT Championship series were the original Le Mans series. In the late 90s you had FIA GT. There were no le mans series. Even the 24 hour race at le mans had mostly GT1 and GT2 with a very small number of open prototypes but most cars in front were GT1.

[@jonathanrice-exec11]

@@fyfyi6053 I was more so talking about the American Le Mans series and the Petit Le Mans that started in 1997. I've been going every year since '98 :)

[@fyfyi6053]

@@jonathanrice-exec11 you mean 98 and it was just one race on road atlanta.

[@jonathanrice-exec11]

@@fyfyi6053 Yeah '98...so what it still counts. What are you getting at? The 996 sounds amazing

[@TFritz82]

Outstanding. With 41 around the corner, I've fond memories of watching these battle it out with Ferrari and C5-R Corvettes nearly 20 years ago! This is nostalgic.

[@correlatedcuisine]

The 996 is what sparked my interest in endurance racing (TRG), and this time it has led me to discover your channel and operation. Brilliant all around, I hope the features from you continue to build pace.

[@hancock_sam]

Thank you. Welcome aboard! More to come soon hopefully..

[@muldix]

How on earth don't you have at least over 100k subs?? You are one of the few on youtube, who really drives (as we are trying to), deserve a lot more attention. Lovely! Many thanks for this.

[@thetumanshow]

I remember Sam from the Petrolicious videos and after watching this… +1 sub and I’ll try to send more your way

[@hancock_sam]

Thank you, that’s super kind. Glad you enjoyed it. Plenty more to come:)

[@hancock_sam]

Thanks, much appreciated! Miss those Petro days, good fun.

[@MD-qp8gj]

The 996 GT3 is becoming legendary!

[@airsoftQ]

This was my fav car on gtr2. And god they got the sounds right in the game . Im actually impressed

[@-vf9zc]

I was baffled when I saw the "Yukos" livery on this Porsche, then I realised it raced back in 2003 - the last year this company really existed. You see, Yukos was one of the largest Russian Oil and Gas companies, it was owned by a Russian oligarch Mikhail Khodorkovsky. Around 2003 Putin started his race to take exclusive control over the natural resources industry in the country, Khodorkovsky didn't want to give up his company and publicly showed disloyalty to Putin, as a result he had a criminal case fabricated against him and other Yukos top-management. Khodorkovsky end up spending 10 years in jail, his company was taken over by the government and later filed for bankruptcy in 2006. It was one of the first huge cases of political persecution in modern Russia and, unfortunately, far from the last. Surprising to see such a significant piece of Russian history in such an unrelated video, really shows how different of a country we had back in early 2000s.

[@mpow3r972]

How this channel only has 7k subscribers is criminal.

[@geoffclarke3796]

Great cars. Loved my mildly modified 996 GT3 I had for over 10 years. That engine sounds just magic.

[@mikehunt9894]

These were proper GT cars back then. Growing up watching ALMS/IMSA, these 996s usually did quite well. The Flying Lizards, Peterson/White Lightning.. etc. Good video, thanks for the memories. Cheers from Canada.

[@hancock_sam]

Totally. By the time the 997 was introduced, the 996 had won in every arena in which it was entered, including amazing overall victories at Spa and Daytona 24 Hours. Amazing car.

[@jarekmalinowski6176]

Found your channel via this video. What a great watch, I’m staying for more!

[@hancock_sam]

Awesome, thank you! Plenty more to come:)

[@Department79]

Yes, mee to!

[@rp20832]

Trying to sleep in the car park at SPA 24H many moons ago, with these on the track is a challenge; they hit your inner ear like nothing else, and vibrate your skull…

[@reniq3858]

wow, this is criminally underrated!

[@cornishrider]

What a glorious noise and the transmission whine only adds to it!

[@SuperJapierdole]

There was a mod for Rfactor 1 game back in the time with 996 rsr race season. It was just awesome. Brings good memories. Amazing race car.

[@SuperJapierdole]

and amazing drive

[@danstimelessclassics5899]

Mega 👌 a well set up 996 is great a cup car 996 is just a whole other level 💪🏻👌

[@hancock_sam]

It really is!

[@joshquarter3097]

Thanks for the uninterrupted driving footage 😊

[@hancock_sam]

You’re welcome. Trying to make films with the elements that I always wanted myself.

[@TwoBirdsOneStoned420]

This video didn’t even get a tenth of the views it should have your content is amazing! Keep up the great work. Amazing quality as always.

[@hancock_sam]

Thank you! Will try!

[@lawsyy1314]

Just stumbled across this video and wow..one of the best motoroing content I've seen in a long time! Definitely subscribed!

[@hancock_sam]

Awesome, thank you!

[@wildes_]

this batch of 996's absolutely stole my heart when I was a young boy.... nostalgic is just the surface when I see this car on track. Nice drive Sam!

[@hancock_sam]

Thank you! I know that feeling… but sadly my nostalgia is a lot older than the 996😂

[@whizkid235]

This might have been the best track video review of any car I've ever seen. Wonderful production as well, kudos to everyone involved. Definitely subscribed.. keep them coming good sir! P.S. the first person driving POV is awesome!

[@hancock_sam]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks very much much and welcome aboard. More like these to come hopefully.

[@jackwilson8651]

Cracking video, Sam. One of my favourites. You’re now getting yourself into the conversation along with Chris Harris (excluding TG period), Matt Farah and Henry Catchpole as the best motoring journalists

[@hancock_sam]

Thanks Jack, think we’re some way from those legends yet but trying to make each one a little better every time. Really glad you enjoyed it and thanks for taking the time to let us know, makes it all worthwhile and is so helpful to gauge if we’re on the right path.

[@harrisonboggis8203]

Been following you since I heard your commentary at Le Mans when Kobayashi decided to ignore the laws of physics for a lap! Fantastic videos and great channel 😎

[@hancock_sam]

Ha, what a lap that was, epic. Thanks for sticking around!

[@owenoconnor2700]

Such a great video, history, sound, video, commentary ,all brilliant. Didn’t know this channel existed until now, and had missed what you brought to Petrolicious featuring the homogenizing specials, so very pleased. 000 magazine featured the 996 gt3 early history , it’s a good read as the project was a challenge to get off the ground

[@hancock_sam]

Welcome aboard! Ah I miss the old Petrolicious days, those shoots were great fun. Good tip about that article, will look it up.

[@green7five394]

This is the best video ever made of a 996. Incredible, thank you for sharing with us

[@hancock_sam]

Wow, thank you, really glad you liked it. More coming!

[@simonansell3241]

One of the best track reviews I have seen. I have a 997 Cup and I can really appreciate what you are saying as I’m sure people who don’t have race cars would too as it’s so descriptive and emotional. I’d love to see many more please. Great Job 👏👏👏

[@wareidav]

It`s not often you rave about a racing car like that.. Wonderful driving of a truly legendary car. Thanks Sam

[@hancock_sam]

Pleasure! Thanks for watching.

[@browley20]

Oh the hours and hours and HOURS of driving this car in GTR2, back in the day ❤❤

[@I53-624]

One of the greatest race cars ever made no question

[@AloneRacecar]

Gotta love the modern-classic Porsche GT3 racing car!

[@Alexhoning]

Props on the addition of the foot cam - despite this car not requiring heel toe - very cool to see the mechanical linkage at work. Fantastic production quality as always, best race car enthusiast channel on youtube.

[@hancock_sam]

Thanks Alex, that is super kind (and encouraging). Plenty more to come. And I think we’ll put a bit more emphasis on the foot cams as I think they’re cool (but always so easy to mount).

[@m176r3]

Excellent video and compelling narration. I’m glad I found this channel, subscribed immediately

[@hancock_sam]

Thank you very much! Welcome:)

[@pokiou]

Gotta love the 996!... even teh base 911 is such a fun car to drive.

[@ukwan]

I have such a soft spot for the 996, I had a lovely 996.1 C4 Aerokit. I cant imagine how much higher the limits would be on a race car on slicks 😮 I'd love to see one day.

[@TomD16V1]

This channel will go far. My favourite era of GT Racing. Perfect

[@hancock_sam]

🙏🏻 thanks buddy, more to come

[@wumplite]

What a spine tingeling noise this car produces, absolutely beautiful

[@tanveermahtab3921]

The video quality is sooo good. Quality>Quantity

[@SkarnDeBrax]

Love the video, thank you so much. I had the chance to have as my first car on track, a 911 996 GT3 cup. I was clearly not able to use it proprely, but, it was such a pleasure. I want to redo it !!!!

[@hancock_sam]

Great, I actually was thinking recently that a 996 Cup could be a fun car to own. I raced the Carrera Cup with the 997 and grew really fond of it.

[@Esta95_]

Awesome video! Great to hear you talk about the technical aspects of driving the car

[@hancock_sam]

Much appreciated! More to come.

[@giansaccount]

I always come back to this video. I remember when it came out I was mesmerized solely by the cover image

[@bimmerfan729]

Awesome video! I had no a 996 gt3 rsr existed! Glad the youtube gods blessed my home page with this one!

[@hancock_sam]

Thank you, 🙏🏻

[@Ricardo.Sigwalt]

Gave you my subscription in the first 10s. Awesome content! I think “those” were the best days of FIA GT Championship!

[@hancock_sam]

Thanks, appreciated that very much much. Will try to deliver plenty more like this (hopefully better!).

[@MrCauebc]

Wow this took me back some 15 years ago when i saw the 996 gt3 racing in Interlagos... great video, instant sub!

[@hancock_sam]

Thanks for the sub!

[@DJDiarrhea]

Many good memories seeing team manthey race these cars in vln. Have been my favourites ever since

[@davidfairbairn8]

That was the best car thing I’ve seen in so long Sam, brilliant. Loved your Le Mans commentary too ma man.

[@hancock_sam]

Thanks very much! Have to say I do miss the old LM commentary days…

[@davidfairbairn8]

@@hancock_sam why do you not feature on it now? Loved listening to the great mix of guys.

[@ziggyfreud5357]

Absolutely brilliant video. The noise is invigorating. This vid really got under my skin. Just made me want to be in the car. Fantastic 👍🇦🇺

[@Robert-ru1hq]

For how many people hate the 996’s looks. In my opinion the 996 rsr is one of the prettiest racecars ever

[@olivierstultiens]

This car gives me so many childhood memories, seeing the 996 rsr on tv while watching le mans with my dad

[@cvpuga]

the sound is... heaven

[@anton_e_sumin]

Sooo nice to see that car alive and moving so fast again! Greetings from Alexey Vasiliev, he received this video from several people already)))

[@hancock_sam]

Ahhh that is so cool, thank you. Please kindly send my regards to him too, and tell him that I would be cool to connect, he can find all my info at samhancock.com

[@PhellipeDiaz]

The car sounds imaculate, omg

[@Kerogas_]

Fun fact: "Yukos" was the Michail Khodorkovsky's oil company. In 2005, Mikhail was convicted of fraud on an especially large scale. Also at 1:57 you can see some logos of russian sponsors near the front light: "За рулём" ("Behind the wheel" magazine), "Русское радио" ("Russian radio" radio station), "Спорт-экспресс" ("Sport-express" newspaper)

[@everyday_andrey]

That Yukos Livery is stunning

[@AlbinAliu1]

What an underrated channel. Stunning content!

[@hancock_sam]

Thank you, really appreciate that

[@nelieldx]

Great video! Which camera did you use to record the onboard footage?

[@ArranD1]

What a brilliant video of an absolutely fantastic car, glad youtubes recommendations actually showed a good channel for once

[@hancock_sam]

Thanks so much, glad you enjoyed it, and thanks for taking the time to comment, means a lot. Plenty more to come so stay tuned!

[@jamieorton6809]

I had lunch with Sam the other day. So fast. So very very fast. He’d finished the smashed chickpeas before I even got a look in. At the River Café he’s unbeaten.

[@hancock_sam]

😂 I was doing you a favour mate… you know what they say: 10kg = 3/10ths!

[@ninedogs2418]

Васильев, Фоменко, Юкос. Я не плачу, это просто слёзы.

[@hancock_sam]

:)

[@LasseJOugaard]

Yes Sam, top job! This is a proper GT car as I remember them from my teens. I love that they still possessed a mechanical rawness at the time, even though it's a "modern" car. Quite a few of your subscribers will definetely recall this car from the simulator GTR2. It was the car to have in the nGT class.

[@hancock_sam]

Thanks so much, glad you enjoyed the film... I enjoyed making it! I miss those old sim games:)

[@N3rdburgring]

Amazing, my favorite GT car as a 90s baby. Thank you so much for this insight and the great driving!

[@hancock_sam]

My pleasure!

[@wilsonsou3540]

Fuck, this guy knows how to turn a wheel around a track does he, what a video and proper drive, dancing that car around the red bull ring

[@hancock_sam]

Haha, thank you kind sir! We had a lot of fun making this one, always nice to know people enjoy watching so thanks for taking the time to comment.

[@wilsonsou3540]

Proper quality content, and a big plus for featuring the foot cam! @@hancock_sam

[@7omBurrows]

Golden car from the golden era. They sure don't make them like they used to.

[@wettm3]

oh my. this is just phenomenal. I now need to experience this and I need to visit Austria to drive the RB ring 😅

[@mvkremoval8144]

Alexey Vasilyev, not Vasily , little mention) Great video! Reminiscing GTR 2 of course)

[@hancock_sam]

My bad thanks 🙏🏻

[@p00pie]

the camera work and color grading is top notch. hidden gem channel!

[@hancock_sam]

Thank you! More coming soon.

[@akiskev]

Amazing presentation and footage! Absolutely loved the in-car especially at the point where you started really pushing this beast! Can't wait to see more!

[@hancock_sam]

Thanks so much! More to come.

[@sejuvumedia6842]

This is amaaaazing, please keep this up!

[@hancock_sam]

Thank you, that’s the plan/hope!

[@andypresland]

So good! Thank you for sharing!

[@hancock_sam]

Thank you too!

[@ballisticchillz]

good lord, the flat six on older porsche are incredible. I could listen to this when im reading or studying🙏🙏

[@hancock_sam]

Couldn't agree more!

[@iankuah8606]

Great video! At the end of the 1999 Season I had the chance to drive the Porsche factory Le Mans Qualifying 996 GT3-R at Hockenheim. The 2004 car you drove is a significant evolution of that car and looks seriously next level!😎

[@hancock_sam]

Interesting! Yeah, I also tested the earlier cars back in the day and this certainly feels more capable.

[@BigShmeels]

Subscribed. Fantastic audio and visuals, and you conveyed the experience behind the wheel very well!

[@hancock_sam]

Much appreciated!

[@zeddysven]

Fantastic production, wonderful cinematography and a pleasure to follow. You’ve earned my subscription sir!

[@hancock_sam]

Awesome, thank you!

[@mattdevenish83]

Great video, TV production quality!

[@hancock_sam]

Much appreciated!

[@g_luke1946]

Dream of a racecar..got it only in 1/43 scale from minichamps...my favourite porsche driver: lucas luhr!

[@saifassam2324]

Excellent video my friend, as always. Love how they kept the interior stereo speaker grill 😂

[@hancock_sam]

Thanks Saif.. that’s so your coach can shout at you! 😜 #theresnoescape

[@sebdavid]

Well that earned my sub! Great work.

[@hancock_sam]

Awesome, thank you!

[@digilux4017]

It’s sad for all those 992, 964, 993, Singer, Tuthill, RWB etc owners. After just one drive in a basic no nannies raw 996 you realize you just have driven the best 911 ever produced

[@ThatOneGuyMax]

This is funny, the 992s, 993s, and the singer are unmatched. Porsche made a mistake with the 996 and the prices reflect that.... So yes, please, ignore digilux4017 as I am honest and you dont ever want to buy a 996 of anything ok? Good. JKjjk, I love the 996! This is what porsche imagined before haters reduced the car back to whatever the next gen had going on ;) Also jk, all the 911s are great dude.... I am in love

[@mortenjohannesen5429]

I am afraid you are right, the 996 is an incredible car in all aspects, and just beacuse of those headlights and it ended the era of aircooled 911 it never got the recognition it truly deserves.

[@kilianpeterkrings9324]

Yeah, I agree! The total underdog, but yet the most (and last) analog modern 911. A true racecar legend from my youth and now a great modern classic car to drive at a yet affordable and not too hyped price level.

[@996Revival]

Yea, RSRs absolutely rock. Nice video!😊

[@hancock_sam]

I agree;) Thanks v much. Pls subscribe and stick around - more coming soon!

[@mushter17]

This car, in this livery, along with the Bruni/Vilander 430 from about 2008, define GT2 for me. That car was a damn masterpiece from Porsche. I'd love the GT3 rules to restrict aero back to being grip assisting rather than the depending factor. Also THE NOISEEEEE

[@hancock_sam]

Yeah that really was a golden era for the class. I raced it in 2011 and loved it. Such hard racing.

[@mrjordy512]

Great quality video, great video, great car. You have earned a new subscriber! Thank you for the video!

[@hancock_sam]

Much appreciated!

[@davew5167]

What a car! Loved the video. Great stuff.

[@hancock_sam]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks

[@tanveermahtab3921]

This is phenomenal

[@singlecams]

omg this channel is incredible 🥰😊

[@hancock_sam]

Thank you so much! More to come:)

[@tangowilliams1244]

Great presenter 👏🔥👏🔥 more please!

[@jdmimportlogistics]

Brilliant mate really liked that explanation on the braking modulation with a sequential. I've been to Spielberg and it's a stunning area! Love the F1 race at the old Osterreichring where Elio de Cheseris scores his first victory barely edging out Keke Rosberg at the finish line. The crowds and completely different track layout are also noteworthy of an amazing era!

[@hancock_sam]

Ha, yeah amazing finish to a grand prix. I was lucky to drive and handle the sale of that very Williams recently, so cool looking up the old photos and footage of that finish. Glad you like the film, thanks for watching and taking the time to comment. Will be more coming hopefully.

[@jdmimportlogistics]

​@@hancock_samWow really? I have some great footage of that Williams at this year's Rolex on my channel. I remember watching Keke at Caesars Palace as a kid on T.V. so seeing Las Vegas F1 this past weekend was special. Enthusiastically subscribed mate!

[@michellevesque2130]

Elio de Angelis, in the Lotus 91....

[@quicknickdriver8510]

I’ve seen you racing at Goodwood and am glad to have found your KZbin.

[@hancock_sam]

Welcome aboard! Thank you. And do come say hi at Goodwood if you visit again.

[@sklyrovka]

fantastic content. thank you for making this!

[@hancock_sam]

No problem!

[@Spectrolite1]

A beauty for sure

[@constantinrenoir8273]

Very great job Sam, awesome video! For next videos, you could include pedalcam in the edit on full screen like the other angles and like your past videos. ;)

[@hancock_sam]

Noted!

[@tz6414]

Sounds amazing, I am exhausted just watching it.

[@hancock_sam]

Ha!

[@scottmacmillan3042]

Exactly what I want to see on KZbin. Absolutely pukka. Well in mate

[@hancock_sam]

Thanks so much. Really encouraging to hear.

[@europirate666]

My dad is pictured at 1:12 and we later worked for AJR during 2004 and beyond.

[@hancock_sam]

Amazing, love that

[@Nandoo1987]

Beautiful video!

[@hancock_sam]

Thank you very much!

[@lorddoobsworth144]

good stuff mate 👍, bet that thing was ridiculously fun to drive.

[@hancock_sam]

It was, thank you 🙏🏻

[@gtrmaxvdb99]

Top video Sam !