Porsche 911 GT3 “Rexy” Racing Car Heist: High-Value Racing Parts Stolen
Porsche 911 GT3 R Fans Steal Racing Parts from Team AO Racing’s Garage
Racing enthusiasts, rejoice! Seeing race cars up close and in person is always an exhilarating experience. The rush of adrenaline is palpable, and you can’t help but appreciate the sheer power and precision of these machines. For fans of the iconic Porsche 911 GT3 R, a recent encounter with team AO Racing’s garage must have been particularly thrilling. But, as the saying goes, "if you truly love something, you’ve got to let it go" – or, in this case, not steal from them.
Paddock Etiquette: A Gentle Reminder
It appears that some fans, likely with paddock access, decided to "acquire" some of Rexy’s parts during the 24 Hours of Daytona. Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time something like this has happened, and it’s essential to remind everyone that stealing from racing teams is never acceptable. These parts are expensive, and, even if broken, they can still be repaired and reused later. Moreover, analyzing why they failed can help teams improve their designs and create better parts in the future.
AO Racing’s Response: Understanding and Education
In response to the incident, AO Racing tweeted, "To the fans who (hopefully mistakenly) took crashed body parts from our garage, these were still the property of AO Racing and meant not for the public to take… We love that you love us and the paddock access, but please be sure to ask the teams before you take any items. No matter how damaged they may seem to you."
The Missing Parts: Front Bumper and More?
The team didn’t specify which body pieces were taken, but earlier, they mentioned that the car’s front bumper was damaged and needed replacing. There are also photos of the race-worn 911 GT3 R with a sparkly clean face, as seen above. While it’s difficult to imagine someone walking off with the entire panel, it’s possible that the missing piece was the bumper – an essential part that makes Rexy, well, Rexy.
AO Racing’s Message: Forgiveness and Education
Despite the incident, AO Racing seems to have taken a compassionate approach, choosing not to punish anyone. Instead, they’re trying to educate fans about proper paddock etiquette. As the team said, "If someone is new to the paddock, it can be a very easy mistake to make! That’s why we just wanted to kindly let people know the protocol for the future :)"
A Word of Caution: Appreciation and Restraint
Of course, the internet being what it is, someone responded by accusing AO Racing of being a wealthy team with a big budget, asking for their stuff back. But, at the end of the day, those parts are still the team’s property, and theft isn’t cool. Show some restraint, not to mention appreciation for the show these crews are giving us fans, and don’t take what isn’t yours, even if you think the people you’re taking from can afford to lose it.
