Porsche 944 | Bruce Jenner Racing

Bruce Jenner's Porsche performance

Bruce Jenner raced in the Trans-Am Series in a Porsche 944 Turbo. His move to Trans-Am showed his commitment to road racing, competing against tough drivers including actor Paul Newman.

The 944 Turbo was known for its balance and handling, which let Jenner take on a field dominated in 1987 by the turbocharged Merkur XR4Tis – a Merkur won every round that year except Brainerd, where Elliott Forbes-Robinson won in the Jenner Porsche.

1987 · SCCA Trans-Am · Porsche 944 #42

Bruce Jenner and the #42 Porsche 944

The white #42 Porsche 944, in Olivetti colours with Goodyear, Bosch and Bendix support, was Bruce Jenner's own car in the 1987 SCCA Trans-Am season – and the car that gave him the best results of his career.

3rd Long Beach · April 43rd Portland · June 79th Memphis · Sept 1311th Road Atlanta · Oct 11

Bruce Jenner climbing into the #42 Porsche 944 in the pit lane — Jenner in the pit lane with the #42 Photo: Mark Windecker

Bruce Jenner strapping in to the #42 Porsche — Strapping in Photo: Mark Windecker

1987 Trans-Am at Brainerd: Elliott Forbes-Robinson wins in Bruce Jenner's Porsche 944 Turbo

The 1987 Trans-Am round at Brainerd International Raceway stands out in the championship's history, with intense competition and an unexpected, memorable result: Elliott Forbes-Robinson took the win driving Bruce Jenner's Porsche 944 Turbo, car #11.

Throwback to 1987 Trans-Am at BrainerdBruce Jenner and Elliott Forbes-Robinson

1987 · The team's two Porsches

Two 944s, one team

The #11 and #42 were run side by side: white Olivetti noses, red tails with Brumos Porsche lettering, and "Bruce Jenner Racing" across both windscreens. New Zealander Max Crawford, Bruce's crew chief, was credited on TV with the #11.

The #11 Porsche 944 in the paddock with Bruce Jenner's #42 behind

The #11 in front, Bruce's #42 behind – most likely Mid-Ohio, July 1987. Photo: Mark Windecker

The #11 Porsche 944 on track, Olivetti on the bonnet — The #11 on track, 1987 Photo: Mark Windecker

The #42 Porsche 944 in red and white on a circuit in front of a large grandstand — The #42 in its red-and-white colours

June 1988 · Niagara Falls

The #42 in 1988

The #42 Porsche 944 at Niagara Falls in 1988

By Niagara Falls in June 1988 the #42 had new colours – Olivetti on the rear quarter, Rain-X and Escort across the screen – but the weekend ended as a non-start. Photo: Mark Windecker

Today · USA

The #42 survives

Bruce's #42 is still around. These recent photos show it in its red and white colours – Brumos Porsche on the tail, Bendix and FRAM Autolite on the flanks, gold mesh wheels and the "Bruce Jenner Racing" screen banner – first stored in a garage on its trailer, then cleaned up in a workshop with Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) decals, the sign of a car eligible for vintage racing in the USA.

The #42 Porsche 944 on a trailer in a wood-panelled garage, Brumos Porsche on the tail

The #42 Porsche 944 in a workshop with Olivetti and 42 on the bonnet and HSR decals — Today: Olivetti and #42 on the bonnet, HSR on the door