Photo book R Gruppe – the brotherhood of tough Porsche drivers

Frank Kayser portrayed the R group. The legendary Porsche Club, where the spirit of the early years of motorsport is preserved. Kayser himself comes from advertising photography. He has therefore mastered the art of preparing every topic as an appetizer for a product. His “theRBook” is just the opposite. Almost as imposing as a tombstone with 580 pages and 824 photographs, “theRBook” becomes a memorial for the brotherhood of club members.

More than advertising

Kayser’s attention was drawn to the exclusive club through the commissioned production for a Porsche magazine. When he arrived in America, he was initially afraid that he would be standing in front of a wall. “They already have a huge celebrity status,” he says to the star. “But then they were all very warm and down to earth. Guys like you and me.” He was also accepted so easily because he had always been infected by these “old carts”.

Back in Germany, he then delivered the pictures. But that wasn’t enough. “The article that then appeared was too beautiful, too sleek, too promotional for me.” That didn’t go with the R group, and it didn’t suit him. The advertiser wanted to do something authentic, say something about real people and real cars. So he wanted to do a book – together with a big publisher. “They were enthusiastic about the idea. But they all wanted to publish a book that would sell well above all. It couldn’t be too expensive. And not too big. It should fit into the program.” Kayser didn’t want that. “So I went to the bank, took out a loan and flew to the US with my team.” He worked on the RBook for sixteen months.

Authentic and not customized

The result is a statement that goes far beyond a niche car club. Like the R-Gruppe itself, the book wants to separate itself from the inconsequential and the ephemeral. From the flood of pictures from advertising and on Instagram. Kayser says it’s not about himself. He doesn’t want to erect a monument. “I just wanted to make an uncompromising book that people would like twenty years from now.”

The focus is on the club, the old air-cooled Porsches and the lifestyle of a brotherhood. People from all walks of life meet in the R group. Architects, millionaires, butchers and lumberjacks. Everyone works together on their cars. The name alludes to the 911 R from 1967 – actually a normal 911, but modified and made faster. And that’s still what the club is about today. There are no exhibits that are only allowed on the street once a year in good weather. In the R group, you screw yourself. It’s about driving together and the cars. “Good driving fun”, as one club member puts it. “If someone has a problem, everyone lends a hand,” says Kayser. “It’s a bit like the Hells Angels only without the criminal.”

“This is something completely different from the Concours classic cars, which are super polished. The tough guys drive there.”

Not for assholes

And these guys have also found a way not to choke on their own fame. The number of members is limited to 300. Whoever wants to go in has to apply and prove himself. “You have to do something for the club. Show that you belong.” Then you may be accepted. “But for everyone who is accepted, someone has to leave. Someone who hasn’t done anything for the club.” Rich classic car posers don’t stand a chance. Founding member Cris Huergas sums it up like this: “If you’re an asshole, you’re not gonna get into this club!”

Left

Side of the TheRBook

Homepage: Frank Kayser

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