Parr Porsche: Sussex’s Independent Porsche Specialists
Founded by the father and son partnership of Ray and Paul Robe, Parr Porsche has been a leading independent Porsche specialist since 1984. Starting from a small location in Old Coulsdon, Surrey, Parr now operates from a large modern facility in Crawley, West Sussex. Parr Porsche boasts over 40 years of Porsche experience, providing customers with unrivalled knowledge and expertise when it comes to all things Porsche. Whether you’re looking for repairs, maintenance, or upgrades, you can trust Parr Porsche to provide top-quality service with a personal touch.
Parr through the years
1984
Founded by the father and son partnership of Ray and Paul Robe. The company started operations in 1984 from small premises in Old Coulsdon, Surrey
1985
Parr’s racing history begins when it prepares Ford Escort saloon cars for Andy Britnell and Stuart Rob and contest the Production championship
1986
The first Porsche to be prepared for racing in the Porsche production racing series
1987
David Lees runs in the Porsche Classic championship in a Parr prepared and run 911E 2.4
1988
The team run in the Loctite Porsche Club Great Britain Production championship supporting the Birmingham Super Prix F3000 race in the East Midlands
1989
Porsche Club Great Britain Production championship takes in a round at the historic Dutch track of Zandvoort.
1990
Parr return to Birmingham to once again support the F3000 Super Prix in what will be the last year where road racing is legal in the UK
1991
Parr run a Porsche 911 Carrera 2 in the BRDC Saloon Car Championship for Paul Edwards
1992
The company takes a year off from racing to concentrate on developing the road car servicing and maintenance side of the business.
1993
After a year away Parr return to run in Porsche club championships running father and son David and Jason Saunders
1994
Parr moved from its Old Coulsdon garage to new premises in South Godstone
1995
The team enter international racing at the Donington Park round of the BPR GT Championship, with Bill Farmer co-driving with Paul Edwards and Robert Nearn. They bring the Porsche 911 GT2 home in third place and follow it up with a second overall at Montlhery in France
1996
Parr enter the Daytona 24 hour with a 911 GT2 and have a great debut in the classic race. The car leads the GT2 class by two laps at the eight hour mark and is third overall. It holds position until 16.5 hours in when the engine detonates and the team are unable to repair it.
1997
Parr runs in the British GT Championship
1998
Parr cars won all three classes in the Pirelli Porsche Championship and finished 1st, 2nd and 4th overall
1999
Parr embarked upon a two-year association with Hayles Konig Motorsport and a pair of Chrysler Vipers
2000
Paul Edwards still takes part in and wins classic races in the Parr prepared and run Porsche 911 2.7 Carrera RS.
The team continue with their British GT campaign in the Dodge Vipers running drivers Tim Harvey and New Zealander Neil Cunningham
2001
Parr was appointed the official Porsche Cars GB entry within the GTO category . The team take the 2001 British GT Championship GTO title with Marino Franchitti and Kelvin Burt setting nine new lap records and winning eight of the thirteen rounds. The sister car of Ed Horner and Matt Turner finishes runner up in the championship.
The team also run British ladies rally star Barbara Armstrong in the Michelin Porsche Cup in the Porsche Cars GB entry managed by Parr Motorsport.
Parr enter four cars in the Porsche Classics series; three finished in the top five and Spencer Griffiths takes the title
2002
Parr runs Porsche’s official entry into the Michelin Porsche Cup and are responsible for the Autosport-backed “Young Driver” car. Parr also run cars for Kevin Harrison (Class 2 champion and third overall) Mark Hazell and Nigel Rice.
2003
Parr again run the Porsche GB VIP and are appointed Official Technical Support provider by Porsche GB. Parr are also the official engine builder and Dyno for the Championship
2004
In April fire rips through the Bowerland Lane workshop causing hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of damage to cars and equipment. Luckily the old premises are still being used allowing the company to continue to trade and service its customers.
2005
After the tribulations of 2004 the company hold an open day for all of it customers in its new Crawley home. The Porsche factory Carrera Cup cars take pride of place alongside the team’s Britcar entry.
2006
The introduction of the latest model GT3 Cup car into the Carrera Cup means the team are busy throughout the season providing parts and technical support to the competing teams. Scottish World Rally champion and racing legend Colin McRae is one of the higher profile VIP car drivers.
2007
Robin Clark, Steve Rance and Colin Ingram are all Parr drivers in the Porsche Open whilst the team run the Autosport Young drivers in the Carrera Cup. Future GP2 driver Oliver Turvey (pictured) drives at Brands Hatch. Andrew Kirkaldy and Steven Kane add some experience to the driving roster at Rockingham and Thruxton respectively.
2008
Parr win the Pro-Am 2 championship with Glynn Geddie. In the VIP car an eclectic mix of drivers includes Autosport journalist Ben Anderson as well as future Supercup front runner Nick Tandy and Touring car legend Anthony Reid.
2009
Championship success continues as Glen McMenamin takes a second Pro-Am 2 title on the trot for Parr. Porsche decide to offer a scholarship prize fund to help young drivers from 2010 onwards and so three times British rally champion Mark Higgins becomes the last person to drive the Parr prepared VIP car.
2010
Richard Denny steps up from the GT Cup to make his Carrera Cup debut with Parr. He had previously been a front runner in the GT Cup in Parr’s 996 GT3
2011
Parr enter the Porsche Carrera World Cup at the famous Nurburgring in Germany running cars for Richard Denny and Pete Smallwood. The race is only open to Porsche 997 GT3 Cup cars setting a record with a 97-car grid. Richard wins his class in atrocious conditions and finishes 50th overall.
2012
Parr launch the next iteration of its website allowing the company to grow into new areas business and commerce.
2013
Parr supports first Porsche charity track day at Goodwood. A great day for all the family.
2014
Parr win inaugural Le Mans Carrera Cup race beating teams and drivers from around the globe in an epic race.
2015
Car sales continues to grow.
2016
New partnership formed with Techart.
2019
Continued investment with the introduction of the official Porsche PIWIS III tester and three new workshop ramps to provide increased capacity for growing demand.
2020
Despite the difficulties of the global pandemic Parr continue to deliver Porsche projects both classic and new.
2021
Parr Motorsport competes in Porsche Club Motorsport events with Parr prepared Boxster, and Parr built 911 RSR recreation.
2022
Parr organises exclusive customer track day at Brands hatch and showcases all products and services at Parr Meet.
2023
Parr finish 1st in class and 4th overall in HSR Daytona 24Hr with David Burke in the Parr built RSR recreation.
What we do at Parr Porsche
Porsche Sales
Parr Porsche offers a number of high-quality cars for sale. With years of experience in maintenance and preparation, we know what it takes to ensure that every Porsche we sell is in top condition. From classic models to modern masterpieces, our inventory is carefully curated to include only the best of the best. All our approved Porsches come with a Parr warranty.
Porsche Parts
Tuning and performance are a cornerstone of the Parr Porsche business. We offer a wide range of performance parts and servicing for all models of Porsche as well as many other manufacturers.