Matrix MXR41607-031 Porsche 356A Valkyrie Racing

If you said a housewife and mother of four took up racing at age 55, then went on to tackle one of the most grueling rallies in the world, culminating in Antarctica, and in a Porsche 356A of all things, you’d say that was a Hollywood fiction. But a few years ago, it actually happened.

Renée Brinkerhoff decided to go racing after her last child left home. She began with rallying and in 2013 formed her own team, Valkyrie Racing, with a 1956 Porsche 356A as the main ingredient. By 2017, Valkyrie organized the Project 356 World Rally Tour as well as Valkyrie Gives, a philanthropic arm. She took the little 356A on grueling rally stages over six continents, including vintage rallies like the Carrera Panamerica and East African Safari Classic, to raise funds for, and awareness of, the need to stop child trafficking.

But continent No.7 posed a few challenges, namely snow, ice, and bitter wind. The old coupe underwent a massive alteration, including skis at the front and tracks at the rear, that latter sadly requiring cutting part of the original fenders off. There were a ton of other retrofits (see reference below for details). Despite numerous hurdles and breakdowns, the team was able to drive 356 miles over several glaciers. On December 10, 2021 they reached Drake Falls, after driving through white-out conditions and fierce winds.

Her charity has raised over $500,000 as a result of this massive team effort.

Now to the model, brand new from Matrix. I’ll let the pics speak for themselves, but this is now the pride of my 356 sub-collection.

Here are a couple of links (including a video)

https://www.treadmagazine.com/outdoor-adventures/off-roading/valkyrie-racing-porsche-356/

PS: If it were me, I’d have used the Cuthbertson Land Rover and left that poor little Porsche back in Colorado. But it may not have garnered as much worldwide attention as the Porsche.