My Dream Porsche with entrepreneur and racing driver, Mike Stursberg

My Dream Porsche: Mike Stursberg’s perfect 718 Spyder RS

The entrepreneur and semi-pro race driver builds his dream Porsche

November 26, 2024

Smiling man sitting inside Porsche 718 Spyder RS

Using the Porsche Car Configurator, find out how one man brought his vision of the ultimate 718 Spyder RS to life – one that, he says, embodies everything that he loves about Porsche

For many, their love affair with Porsche begins with a single, unforgettable moment. For Mike Stursberg, that came in 1992. “A friend of mine had just bought a Porsche 964 Carrera RS and I was lucky enough to join him for a ride. The sound of the door closing, sitting inside that raw, stripped-down car – everything about it was pure and unfiltered. The moment the engine roared, I was hooked. That simplicity, that purism, sparked my love for Porsche. And it’s stayed with me ever since.”

Fast forward to today and Mike is not only a successful entrepreneur and father of three, but also an avid semi-professional racing driver who has claimed multiple championship titles, with many of these at the wheel of a Porsche. So, when it came to buying his dream Porsche, every detail had to be just right especially when choosing its look. With the Porsche Car Configurator at his fingertips, Mike set about designing his ultimate sportscar – a 718 Spyder RS tailored to his unique tastes and needs.

Who is Mike Stursberg?

Over a 15-year semi-pro racing career, Mike Stursberg has claimed eight or nine championship titles (the indecisiveness is down to the fact that he’s lost count, Mike says with a twinkle in his eye!) and has twice earned the title of Deutscher Meister in historic motorsport.

For Mike, Porsche is a symbol of freedom, quality and versatility – a car that performs equally well on the road as it does on the racetrack. “The sound of the engine, the driving dynamics… Porsche just gets it right, as it has done for so many years,” says Mike. “Others may have started to catch up, but Porsche remains the benchmark. It doesn’t matter whether you are a Macan customer, a 718 Cayman or 718 Boxster customer or a 911 customer, driving a Porsche is something special for everyone.”

Grey Porsche 718 Spyder RS driving on road, trees behind — Every curve and contour of Mike Stursberg’s 718 Spyder RS is the consequence of dreaming, tweaking and perfecting in the Porsche Car Configurator Photo: Porsche

Configuring a 718 Spyder RS – the perfect car, says Mike Stursberg

“Back in 1999 I was working for the Porsche World Roadshow. At the time, the Boxster had only been on the market for a few years, but I got the chance to drive one and, ever since then, it’s been my car. I’ve been driving Boxster cars for over 25 years now and, today, I have the Spyder RS with the GT3 engine. I had to buy it – it was the perfect way to continue the tradition. The open-top driving experience is unbeatable. The emotions, the thrills are just incredible.”

Bird’s-eye view of man using the Porsche Car Configurator — Porsche has always been close to Mike’s heart, making it extra special when he used the Porsche Car Configurator to build a Porsche that was unique to him Photo: Porsche

How did you choose the exterior colour for your Porsche?

“When it came to the exterior, I wanted something that was both modern and gave a nod to the rich history of Porsche,” explains Mike. In the end, he opted for a Paint to Sample colour – Stonegreymetallic – which harks back to the 1980s. “There’s just something timeless and beautiful about its grey metallic sheen. I love that it tells a story. People often stop and ask about the colour, and I can proudly say it’s inspired by Porsche heritage and the 930 Turbo.”

Mike then paired the classic paintwork with wheels painted in striking Satin Neodyme, a choice that blends tradition and modern performance seamlessly. “I deliberately chose the aluminium wheels over the magnesium wheels, which is focused on both reduced weight and design.”

Overhead view of centre console with Porsche crest embossing — For Mike, configuring the perfect Porsche is all about finding visual harmony, even within to the tiniest details, inside and out Photo: Porsche

What are some other highlights of your 718 Spyder RS configuration, Mike?

“There are always two components to the perfect car build. One is safety, the other is aesthetics. For me it started with getting the best brakes as well as the best lights, so I opted for the Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes and LED main headlights, including the Porsche Dynamic Light System. I also went for the Weissach package, not only to optimise weight, but because I like the way it looks.

“I especially like the titanium tailpipe trim in 935 look and the aerodynamic flap in carbon-weave finish. And I really appreciated the ability to get the upper part of the dashboard in Race-Tex – the Spyder RS was the first Porsche to offer this. The full bucket seats were also a must for me as they give me the perfect driving position.

“And I actually went with a leather steering wheel (because I always do!) but there’s a Race-Tex option here too, which is also fantastic.”

Smiling man sitting in chair holding iPad by office window — Mike configured his dream Porsche at the Competence Centre of his racing team, Black Falcon, in Meuspath, Germany Photo: Porsche

How easy was it to configure your Porsche using the Porsche Car Configurator?

“I found the Porsche Car Configurator to be really intuitive. I like that I can see the car from all angles and make adjustments as I go. I really enjoyed the process. Even after I finished my configuration, I would go back into the configurator just to check how everything looked again. The anticipation really is part of the joy.

“Personalisation is the key. You can make the car truly yours, from the exterior colour to the stitching on the seats. It’s this level of customisation that sets Porsche apart.”

Man driving a Porsche 718 Spyder RS past woodland — Mike’s 718 Spyder RS is an expression of everything he loves about Porsche: performance, design and a deep connection to the road Photo: Porsche

What inspired you during the configuration process?

“It’s about having something that no one else has. My passion for Porsche and my history with the brand made it easy for me to know exactly what I wanted. Every decision was a reflection of my personality and passion for driving. I didn’t need to configure a Porsche, but I wanted to. And I wanted it to be perfect. I’m very happy with the car I ended up with – my configured 718 Spyder RS. It’s everything I wanted and needed.”

You can explore the exact configuration of Mike’s Porsche

here. To build your own, visit the Porsche Car Configurator and design the car of your dreams

Consumption and emission information

718 Spyder RS (WLTP): Fuel consumption combined: 12.7 l/100 km; CO₂ emissions combined: 288 g/km; CO₂ class: G.

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