LMP1 sports prototype to be run by Weissach-based works team

Stuttgart. At the Weissach Motorsport Centre, preparations for the running of the new LMP1 sports prototype at the Le Mans 24 Hours and in the sports car World Endurance Championship are progressing at high revs. For this feat the infrastructure was considerably expanded. A new workshop building and an office complex have been completed. “The first rollout of our new LMP1 car is planned for mid-2013,” announced Wolfgang Hatz, Porsche AG Board of Management Member for Research and Development, on Saturday on the occasion of the end of season “Night of Champions” celebration. “The car will be run by our own works team based here at Weissach.”

Following a re-structuring, the LMP1 project is realised by a new department headed by Fritz Enzinger. With his well established organisational structure, Porsche’s Head of Motorsport Hartmut Kristen continues to be responsibility for all other motorsport programmes worldwide.

The customer sport model 911 GT3 R celebrated 41 wins from 131 starts in a range of GT3 racing series worldwide. For the 2013 season Porsche offers teams an upgrade package which will position the GT3 R even better in the performance window as defined by the FIA.

In his speech, Hatz underlined the importance of GT racing for Porsche and pleaded for two different GT categories for works-supported professional sport and for customer sport: “In factory sport the regulations must be based on technology while in customer racing a stronger alignment of the relative strength by Balance of Performance measures is legitimate.”

In addition to the promotion of four Porsche Juniors, one pilot from the international makes cups will enjoy comprehensive support for the 2013 season. Frenchman Jean-Karl Vernay (25) who won the Carrera Cup France at his first attempt last season receives funding to the value of 200,000 Euro towards his 2013 Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup campaign. At a test session in Vallelunga, Vernay won over eight other top drivers from the Carrera Cups France, Asia, Japan, Scandinavia, Italy, Australia, Great Britain and from the GT3 Cup Challenge Canada.

Vernay has already made a name for himself in international motor racing. In 2005 he claimed the championship in the French feeder series Formula Renault Campus and went on to finish second in a Formula 3 single-seater at the Macau Grand Prix in 2009. In 2010 Vernay went to the USA and promptly clinched overall victory in the Indy Lights Series’ in his first season. Peugeot contracted the Frenchman as a test and reserve pilot for their LMP1 project in 2011. At the same time Vernay competed in the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup and was crowned LMP2 champion. “The support from Porsche is a great opportunity for me,” says Vernay. “In the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup all drivers have to adjust to a new vehicle. For me as a newcomer this means I’ll have a good chance to be competitive right from the beginning. The Supercup is the pinnacle of the Porsche one-brand cups and has a great reputation as a launching platform to enter professional GT sport.”

With its well-established works drivers, Porsche is relying on continuity. All nine drivers still have a valid contract for the 2013 season or their contract was extended. For six of the nine drivers, the 24-hour race at Daytona on 26 January marks the start of the new season. Joerg Bergmeister drives a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup for The Racers Group. With Kevin Buckler’s squad, Bergmeister scored a sensational overall victory at Daytona in 2003 at the wheel of a Porsche 911 GT3 RS. Marco Holzer competes for Alex Job Racing, Marc Lieb again joins forces with Brumos Racing and Richard Lietz drives for last year’s winner Magnus Racing. Patrick Long goes racing for Park Place Motorsports and Patrick Pilet competes for the NGT team.

For the Porsche Juniors Michael Christensen and Klaus Bachler the race in Daytona marks the first time in their career that they contest a 24 hour race. Christensen receives support in his campaign from Christian Engelhart and Porsche Cup winner Nick Tandy for the Konrad Motorsport team with whom he contested the Carrera Cup Deutschland in 2012. Bachler is competing for Snow Racing.

Nick Tandy wins Porsche Cup

Stuttgart. After his first full season in international GT racing, Nick Tandy (28) from Great Britain can celebrate winning the Porsche Cup as the best private driver in the world. On the occasion of the Night of Champions on 8 December in the R&D Centre at Weissach, Nick Tandy received the Porsche Cup from Dr. Wolfgang Porsche, the Chairman of the Supervisory Board at Porsche AG. Additionally, Tandy was awarded a new Porsche 911 Carrera S. During the past season the Briton scored a total of 7,510 points. Second-placed Raymond Narac is the recipient of 30,000 Euro, Paolo Ruberti’s third place comes with a purse of 25,000 Euro. The Porsche Cup is endowed with a total value of 253,000 Euro. In the competition initiated by Ferry Porsche, drivers earned points in 18 Grand Touring and prototype race series worldwide as well as at selected long distance races.

Professional race driver and part-time farmer Nick Tandy headed into 2012 as the reigning champion of the Carrera Cup Deutschland driving a Porsche 911 GT3 RSR run by the experienced Manthey Racing team in the International GT Open. Sharing the cockpit with works driver Marco Holzer, Tandy won five races.

In the ADAC GT Masters, Tandy competed for the Geyer & Weinig EDV – Schütz Motorsport squad at the wheel of a 911 GT3 R. Here, Tandy and his teammate Christian Engelhart scored four victories. For the Brit, the season concluded with seventh place in the drivers’ classification. Tandy earned further points towards the Porsche Cup competing for Flying Lizard Motorsports and TRG in the ALMS. In the British GT Championship, he manned the cockpit of a Team Motorbase fielded 911 GT3 R at selected rounds. After John Fitzpatrick (1972, 1974, 1980) and Tim Sugden (2005), Nick Tandy is the third Briton to be honoured with the Porsche Cup, which has been awarded by Porsche since 1970.

With a margin of just 170 points, Frenchman Raymond Narac (45) finished the race for the Porsche Cup in second place. The founder and owner of the successful IMSA Performance Matmut team contested three major championships as team principal and driver. In the European Le Mans Series, Narac defended the championship title in the GTE Am class driving a 911 GT3 RSR in last year’s spec. Joining forces with Porsche works driver Patrick Pilet, Narac periodically held the lead in the International GT Open driver’s standings and concluded the season in the hotly-contested championship in sixth. In the World Endurance Championship, Narac scored a class win and second place in Le Mans.

After securing second in last year’s Porsche Cup, Paolo Ruberti again climbs the “podium” in third. The 37-year-old Italian secured this success predominantly in the FIA World Endurance Championship. Driving Felbermayr-Proton’s Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Ruberti won the GT Am class at the Sebring 12 Hours and the 6 hour race in Bahrain. Ruberti secured additional points thanks to a victory and a second place in the Italian GT Championship.

“The start phase was huge fun, because it was relatively easy to overtake the slower competitors,” Dumas said after the race. “But it’s even more fun because we can apply superior tactics thanks to the lower fuel consumption. We are much more flexible and we made the most of this day.” It was the car’s first appearance on the West Coast (and only its second in North America since it debut last year.)

Based on the 911 GT3 R, this hybrid isn’t a traditional hybrid in a sense that it uses a kinetic energy recovery system, and instead of a battery, the energy is stored in the flywheel. The system store 0.2 kWh of energy, which is enough to provide an additional 150 kW (203 horsepower) for an eight second burst. “That doesn’t sound like much, but the system recharges quickly,” said Dieter Steinhauser, head of motorsport R&D. “For performance applications, a battery recharges too slowly.”

The flywheel, mounted where the passenger seat would be, spins up to 40,000 RPM. It powers a pair of 75 kW (101 hp) motors, one per front wheel. The rear wheels are driven by a 4.0-liter flat-six which is good for 470 horsepower.

The 911 GT3 R doesn’t fit into any one of the five classes in American Le Mans, therefore it essentially is an experimental car. Which means, it cannot participate in qualifying and must line up in the back of the grid. The car started in 35th which makes the climb to the 10th spot that much more impressive.

“It’s a shame that we weren’t permitted to join the qualifying, we could have done with the extra practice for finding a good set-up,” Dumas said. “I last drove the car at Road Atlanta. Compared to last year’s version, the 2.0 has made huge progress.” The hybrid system in version 2.0 weighs 120 kg, 50 less than the first generation. The electric flywheel is about 90 percent efficient, and the hybrid delivers a 10 percent improvement in fuel economy over the conventional 911 GT3 R race cars. Porsche also reduced the weight of the car, which comes in at 1,300 kg.

So far the 911 GT3 R Hybrid is just a showcase for Porsche’s Intelligent Performance advanced drivetrains, but a similar system will be available in the gorgeous 918 RSR race car. Porsche hopes to see the American Le Mans Series create a classification for hybrid drivetrains in time for the 2014 season.

Porsche 911 GT3 R

Stuttgart. Amongst racing customers all over the world, the Porsche 911 GT3 R is extremely popular for its forgiving handling and basic speed. And it is exactly in this direction that the improvements for the 2012 model year have been targeted. The engine output has increased by 20 hp to now deliver 500 hp (368 kW). Paddle-shifts on the steering wheel ensure gear changes are even quicker and simpler, making it easier for pilots to concentrate on braking. Moreover, the transmission electronics, featuring an automatic throttle blip control, make it almost impossible to miss a gear and over-rev the engine. A softer anti-roll bar on the front axle reduces understeer.

The power increase of the four-litre, six-cylinder flat engine in the rear was achieved through optimisation of the intake system. The gearing of the sequential six-speed dog-type gearbox was adapted to the higher maximum output. In order to bring the power to the tarmac safely and to assist race drivers, the 911 GT3 R has featured a sophisticated ex-works traction control since the 2010 model year. An efficient race-ABS assists braking.

The new Porsche 911 GT3 R will be delivered to teams around the world from November 2011. The vehicle costs 304,500 Euro plus the value added tax of respective countries. The Porsche 911 GT3 R from the 2010 and 2011 model years can be upgraded to the 2012-spec. An upgrade kit is available from Porsche Motorsport for 43,100 Euro.

The 911 GT3 R represents the mid-range of Porsche’s customer racing vehicles. The 911 GT3 Cup, as the top-selling race car in the world, serves as the basis. Ranking above the 911 GT3 R is the 911 GT3 RSR, built for GT2 racing, which competes in series like the American Le Mans Series, the Le Mans Series and at the Le Mans 24 hour race.

ATLANTA, GA – January 13, 2011 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – The Porsche 918 RSR, which was unveiled for the first time at the Detroit Auto Show on Monday, received one of the show’s most respected automotive awards—the 2011 NAIAS AutoWeek Editors’ Choice Award for Best in Show.

“Porsche marked its return to the Detroit Auto Show in a big way with the 918 RSR concept, and—like the 918 Spyder concept revealed last year in Geneva—it was the undisputed star of the show,” said AutoWeek editor Wes Raynal.

This marks the second time in less than a year that a Porsche concept car has won AutoWeek’s Best in Show designation. AutoWeek editors hand down Best in Show awards at the world’s major auto shows in Detroit, Geneva, Paris, Frankfurt and Tokyo.  Last year, AutoWeek editors selected the 918 Spyder as their choice for Best in Show in Geneva.

Porsche received Detroit’s Best in Show award earlier today during the 17th AutoWeek Design Forum, held at the College for Creative Studies.  Porsche Cars North America’s Area Vice President Doug Battie accepted it on behalf of the company.

“To receive this award for the 918 RSR is significant as this car dramatically shows our brand’s commitment to develop products that combine superior performance and high efficiency,” Battie said. “The 918 RSR epitomizes the passion that Porsche engineers and designers have for developing the world’s most advanced—and best-looking—sports cars.”

The AutoWeek designation was the second award collected by the 918 RSR since its debut on Monday.

Earlier this week, the Porsche 918 RSR won the EyesOn Design Award for Best Concept Vehicle introduced at the Detroit Auto Show. The EyesOn Design Award is judged by top automotive design executives and by academics from transportation design programs.

About Porsche Cars North America, Inc.

A wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of Dr. Ing.h.c.F.Porsche, Porsche Cars North America, Inc. and its 197 dealers offer U.S. customers some of the most technically advanced and high-performance vehicles in the world. Porsche cars are synonymous with supreme quality accompanied by first-class customer treatment. Also, Porsche is fully and publicly committed to being a leader in significantly lowering emissions, and saving fuel.  The company’s guiding credo is “Porsche Intelligent Performance” and the goal is to prove that Porsche’s high performance and efficiency are not contradictory terms. This is nothing new for Porsche, which for 63 years has developed numerous technologies that have advanced vehicle performance, improved safety and spurred environmental innovations. Obviously, one expects such achievements from the most revered race car brand in the world — one that has accumulated more than 30,000 motorsport victories. Today, PCNA imports the cars that are the product of this great history, including the iconic 911 series, the renowned Boxster and Cayman mid-engine sports cars, the high-end Cayenne sport utility vehicles and the four-door Panamera Gran Turismo cars.

Follow us: www.twitter.com/Porsche and www.facebook.com/Porsche

SOURCE: Porsche Cars North America, Inc.

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DETROIT, MI – January 10, 2011 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, is continuing to extend its performance and high efficiency competence via intensive development work in the field of hybrid technology. With the Porsche 918 RSR, the manufacturer of sporty premium vehicles is presenting a high-end synthesis of 2010′s successful hybrid concepts. The two-seater mid-engine coupé 918 RSR clearly reveals what happens when the technology fitted in the 911 GT3 R hybrid and the design of the 918 Spyder are transferred to a modern, innovative super sports car.

With its highly-efficient flywheel accumulator, the 911 GT3 R hybrid racing car proved to be an attention magnet during competition racing on the Nuerburgring Nordschleife circuit, during the American Le Mans Series races (ALMS) in Road Atlanta/USA and the ILMC run in China’s Zhuhai. It demonstrated its massive performance potential under realistic motor racing conditions against top competitors. The 911 GT3 R Hybrid, referred to internally as the “Race Lab” actually surpassed the high expectations of Porsche Motorsport. Competitiveness, high reliability and exemplary fuel efficiency combined with top performance under-scored the Porsche technicians’ basic idea of generating additional power in an intelligent manner. The 911 GT3 R Hybrid obtains its additional power from its own vehicle dynamics when braking. Porsche is now transplanting this technology into the mid-engine coupé 918 RSR, the motor sports version of the 918 Spyder concept car.

From the tradition established by classic Porsche long-distance race cars such as the 908 long-tail coupé (1969) and the 917 short-tail coupé (1971), the Porsche designers created a link to the postmodernism of the “form follows function” philosophy. In the 918 RSR, the lines’ elegant flow is dominated by muscular wheel arches, dynamic air intakes and a pulpit-like cockpit. A visible fan wheel between the ram air intake tubes and a rear spoiler with RS Spyder dimensions additionally emphasize the racing laboratory function. The new “liquid metal chrome blue” color which has been created underscores the sculptured curves of the forms, whilst the typical Porsche hybrid orange color on brake calipers and the body’s longitudinal stripes lends remarkable touches.

Motor racing technology also dominates within the particularly light, torsionally stiff carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) monocoque. The V8 engine is a further development of the direct injection engine from the successful RS Spyder race car and now offers an output of precisely 563 hp at 10,300 rpm in the 918 RSR. The electric motors on the two front wheels each contribute 75 kW, i.e. a total of 150 kW, to the peak drive power of exactly 767 hp. This additional power, which is generated during braking, is stored in an optimized flywheel accumulator.

In the 918 RSR, the two electric motors offer a torque vectoring function with variable torque distribution to the front axle. This additionally increases agility and improves steering response. Mounted upstream of the rear axle, the mid-engine is integrated with a racing transmission also based on the RS Spyder race car. This further developed six-speed constant-mesh transmission with longitudinally mounted shafts and straight-toothed spur gears is operated using two shift paddles behind the racing steering wheel.

The vehicle’s functional equipment underscores its puristic motor racing character. Whether it be the characteristic doors which open obliquely upwards, the air intake in the roof between the wing doors, the quick-action locks on the front and rear CFRP lids, the two roof-mounted aerials for pit radio and telemetry, the RS Spyder-like small, lateral front flics or the air splitters beneath the front lip or no-profile racing slicks on 19″ wheels with central locking, the vehicle can be clearly recognized as an experimental racing laboratory.

In contrast to the 918 Spyder concept car, unadorned racing atmosphere predominates in the interior of the 918 RSR. The figure-hugging bucket seat’s brown leather covering cites the history of the gentleman driver; the gear flashes on the racing steering wheel and a recuperation display on the steering column in front of the display screen supply the pilot with information. Instead of the futuristic, ergonomically avant-garde centre console with touch-sensitive user interface from the 918 Spyder concept car, the 918 RSR’s cockpit is split by a minimalistic console with rocker switches. Instead of a second seat, the flywheel accumulator is positioned to the right of the console.

This flywheel accumulator is an electric motor whose rotor rotates at up to 36,000 rpm to store rotation energy. Charging occurs when the two electric motors on the front axle reverse their function during braking processes and operate as generators. At the push of a button, the pilot is able to call up the energy stored in the charged flywheel accumulator and use it during acceleration or overtaking maneuvers. The flywheel is braked electromagnetically in this case in order to additionally supply up to 2 x 75 kW, i.e. a total of 150 kW, from its kinetic energy to the two electric motors on the front axle.

This additional power is available for around eight seconds when the system is fully charged. In the successful 911 GT3 R Hybrid, this additional power can also be used as a consumption aid depending on the racing situation, e.g. to delay pit stops or reduce the fuel tank volume and therefore the weight of the vehicle.

With the new 918 RSR racing laboratory, Porsche is now elevating this motor racing hybrid concept to an experimental level. In the 918 RSR, “Porsche Intelligent Performance” equates to research into methods for further sustainable efficiency improvement under the intensified conditions of the race track, lap times, pit stops and reliability — a metier in which Porsche has been demonstrating its success for over 60 years.

Finally, the starting number, 22, pays homage to the anniversary of a further triumph. Back in the days when overall victories in Le Mans were not yet an entirely routine matter within the Porsche racing department, the pilots Dr. Helmut Marko and Gijs van Lennep were the first to cross the finishing line in 1971′s 24-hour classic. The distance record set by their Porsche 917 short-tail coupé — 5335.313 kilometers (3315.21 miles) at an average speed of 222.304 km/h (138.13 mph) — did not remain unbeaten for an eternity, but for exactly 39 years until 2010. At the time, the 917 in the Martini colors was also an experiment and far ahead of its time: a magnesium space frame set new standards in Porsche’s lightweight construction domain.

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Gianluca Roda is the first Italian to win the Porsche Cup, which has been awarded by Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, since 1970. As the brainchild of Ferry Porsche, the company honours the best private Porsche race driver each year with this trophy. The businessman from Como yielded many successes with the Porsche race car fielded by the Autorlando Sport team based in Pedrengo near Bergamo in northern Italy. With five victories and a total of eight podium results from 14 races, Roda secured the GT3 title of the Italian Gran Turismo championship. In his bid for the title, the 51-year-old could rely on support from Porsche: Works driver Richard Lietz (Austria) shared driving duties with Roda at eight races in the cockpit of the 911 GT3 R. His factory pilot colleagues Patrick Pilet (France) and Wolf Henzler (Germany) supported Roda at two rounds, with Raffaele Giammaria (Italy) providing reinforcement at another two races.

With Richard Lietz (Austria), Roda contested the International GT Open in a Porsche 911 GT3 RSR. After 16 races in six European countries, the pair concluded the season with vice championship honours in the top “Super GT” category by a very narrow margin.

Four wins from four guest appearances in the Spanish GT Championship were also part of the amiable Italian’s impressive track record. In Estoril and Jerez, Roda shared the cockpit of the Autorlando Porsche with his compatriot Raffaele Giammaria. With fourth place in the GT class at the season final of the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup in Zhuhai, China, Roda earned extra points in the fight for the Porsche Cup at the wheel of a Felbermayr-Proton Porsche 911 GT3 RSR.

Taking home the Porsche Cup, Gianluca Roda joins the ranks of many top race drivers to have received the coveted trophy, including Bob Wollek, Bernd Schneider, Jochen Mass as well as current Porsche works pilots Wolf Henzler and Marc Lieb. Raymond Narac from France ranks second in the 2010 Porsche Cup. As owner of the well-established IMSA Performance Matmut squad, the 43-year-old businessman was a regular driver in his own racing Porsche and enjoyed great success. He kicked off the season with overall victory at the Dubai 24 hour race, and followed up with second overall at the Spa 24 Hours in Belgium. Until the season finale of the International GT Open, Narac – supported by Porsche works driver Patrick Pilet – was tied for points with Gianluca Roda in second place, to finish the year a close fourth.

After an extremely successful season in the American Le Mans Series, Klaus Graf (Germany) takes home a well deserved third place in the Porsche Cup. The 41-year-old professional racer notched up a class victory at the wheel of the Porsche RS Spyder fielded by Muscle Milk Team Cytosport at the season-opening 12 Hours of Sebring. Over the course of the season, he yielded two overall victories from Lime Rock and Mosport. After the ninth and final round, Graf earned himself the vice-championship title in Class Two for Le Mans prototypes.

Gianluca Roda is awarded the Porsche Cup on 11 December at the “Night of Champions” in the Research and Development Centre, Weissach. In addition to the valuable challenge cup, the best Porsche private driver of the year takes home a Porsche 911 GT3. The 2010 Porsche Cup carries a total value of over 250,000 Euro, with positions two to ten receiving prize money. Drivers earned points towards this year’s traditional competition in 19 Grand Touring and prototype race series worldwide as well as at selected long distance races.

The Porsche 911 GT3 RSR takes off into the new motorsport season with extensive modifications. The 2011 version of the world’s most successful GT race car celebrated its international premiere at the “Night of Champions” party held at the R&D Centre in Weissach to mark the end of the motorsport season. Priority in the further development of the GT3 RSR was given to the newly designed aerodynamics at the front and rear, changes to the suspension kinematics and to the engine.

The 4.0-litre, six-cylinder boxer engine now delivers 455 hp (335 kW) at 7,800 revs, five horsepower more than its predecessor. The power increase results from an engine management system which adapts even better to different fuel grades, as well as a redesigned exhaust system and a modified air intake housing. Moreover, the driveability of the famously efficient engine has undergone further improvements. Maximum revs remain unchanged at 9,400 rpm.

Clearly visible are the modifications to the front. A new front lip provides higher downforce at the front axle. The front wheels are now wider with the rims growing from 11 to 12 inches giving additional grip and less of an understeering tendency. The position of the rear wing and the shape of the wing mounting also underwent optimisation and were adapted to the new rear fairing with additional air outlet louvers. The rear lid was also redesigned for optimised air ducting. Like the 911 GT3 Cup and the GT3 R, the RSR has now been equipped with the LED rear lights taken from the latest 911 road-legal cars.

The 911 GT3 RSR joins the 911 GT3 R and the 911 GT3 Cup as the top model of Porsche Motorsport’s product range. The successful long distance racer from Weissach can be ordered now at a price of 410,000 Euro plus country-specific value added tax. All 2011 modifications are available as a kit for GT3 RSR cars from the 2010 season.

Engine

Water-cooled six-cylinder boxer engine
3,996 cc; stroke 80.4 mm; bore 102.7 mm
455 hp (335 kW) at 7,800 rpm
max. torque 450 Nm
air restrictors 2 x 28.6 mm
max. revs 9,400 rpm
four valve technology
dry sump lubrication
individual throttle butterflies
fuel injection

Porsche six-speed gearbox with sequential jaw-type shift
oil/water heat exchanger
single-mass flywheel
hydraulic disengagement lever
three-plate carbon-fibre clutch
rear wheel drive
limited slip differential 45/65 percent

Monocoque body (basis GT3 RS) of hot-galvanised steel
aerodynamically optimised front end with front spoiler
aerodynamically optimised front underfloor
adjustable rear wing
90-litre FT3 safety fuel tank with fast filling function
air jack
welded-in safety cage
race seat (driver’s side only) with flame retardant upholstery
six-point seat belt adapted for use of the HANS Head and Neck Support
electric fire extinguishing system

Front axle:
McPherson spring strut axle
Sachs four-way gas pressure dampers
double coil springs (main and auxiliary)
front axle arms adjustable for camber
adjustable sword-type anti-roll bar
power steering

Rear axle:
Multi-arm axle with rigidly mounted axle sub-frame
Sachs four-way gas pressure dampers
double coil springs (main and auxiliary)
rear axle tie-bar reinforced and infinitely adjustable
adjustable sword-type anti-roll bar

Complete suspension infinitely adjustable (height, camber, track)

Brake system with balance bar control

Front:
Single-piece six-piston aluminium fixed callipers
inner vented, 380 mm diameter
racing brake pads

Rear:
Single-piece four-piston aluminium fixed callipers
inner vented, 355 mm diameter
racing brake pads

Wheels:

Three-piece BBS light-alloy wheels (12J x 18 ET 34); central bolt

Front:
Three-piece BBS light-alloy wheels (12J x 18 ET 34); central bolt

Rear:
Three-piece BBS light-alloy wheels (13J x 18 ET 12.5); central bolt

Porsche celebrates 98th class win in Le Mans

The success story of the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR continues: After winning the 24 hour race in Dubai and holding the championship lead of the Le Mans Series and the American Le Mans Series, the most successful GT racer of 2009 has now won the GT2 class of the Le Mans 24 hour race. This victory at the 78th running of the 24 hour race in Le Mans marks the 98th success for Porsche at the prestigious long distance classic. For the ninth time, a race car based on the street legal 911 GT3 prevailed over its rivals. Positions three, five, seven and eight also went to drivers of the 450 hp Porsche. Moreover, the winning 911 also clinched the environmental “Michelin Green X Challenge” award as the GT car with the best efficiency.

The basis of Porsche’s success was this year again the reliability of the 911 GT3 RSR. Refuelling, new tyres, driver changes – the mechanics of the winning German Felbermayr-Proton had nothing more to do from start to finish. With consistent lap times, works drivers Marc Lieb (Germany), Richard Lietz (Austria) and Wolf Henzler (Germany) held a two-lap advantage over the second-placed Ferrari. “Pivotal for victory was that we had no technical problems and spent the least amount of time in the pits. This win was a team effort,” said Marc Lieb, who celebrated his third Porsche GT2 win in Le Mans after 2005 and 2006. Richard Lietz took home the coveted winners’ trophy for the second time after 2007.

Porsche’s success is all the more remarkable due to the fact that the 78th edition of the 24 hour race was one of the toughest in the history of the classic. The GT3 class in particular was excellently supported and fiercely contested with seven manufacturers and 18 race vehicles. With this victory, Porsche relegated its strong opponents Ferrari, BMW, Chevrolet Corvette, Jaguar and Spyker to spots further down the field.

Celebrations were also in full swing in the Porsche camp with the overall victory of Porsche works drivers Timo Bernhard (Germany) and Romain Dumas (France), who manned the cockpit of an Audi R15 TDI with the former Porsche Junior and ex-Porsche works driver Mike Rockenfeller (Germany). At the flag, they held a one-lap advantage over the second-placed Audi.

Hartmut Kristen, Head of Porsche Motorsport, commented: “We experienced an incredibly exciting race this weekend, especially in the GT2 class. I’m delighted that the Felbermayr-Proton squad won both the GT2 class as well as the “Michelin Green X Challenge”. This shows that we’re on the right path with our philosophy of Porsche Intelligent Performance. I’m also thrilled with the results of the other Porsche customer teams. They put up a great fight and earned their good positions. I’m proud as well of the three drivers in the winning Audi. Congratulations to them and the entire Audi team.”

Porsche Junior Marco Holzer (Germany) and his teammates in the BMS Scuderia Italia team, Richard Westbrook (Great Britain) and Timo Scheider (Germany), were also over the moon with their third in class. All three drivers contested the Le Mans 24 Hours for the first time. For the double DTM champion Scheider, this was his first outing with a Porsche 911 GT3 RSR. “For us, it’s a dream come true,” said 21-year-old Holzer. “Le Mans is the most important long distance race in the world – and we climbed the podium at our debut. That’s sensational.”

The crew of the French IMSA Performance Matmut team had mixed feelings about their fifth position. Works drivers Patrick Pilet (France) and Patrick Long (USA) with teammate Raymond Narac (France) had kept up with the winning Porsche trio until the morning hours only to be held up by a clutch problem. “Today is a great day for Porsche and I’m pleased about that,” said Pilet. “But of course we’re a little disappointed not to celebrate a podium result at our home race.”

Elation amongst the driver squads of both 911 GT3 RSR that finished seventh and eighth as well: Both 911 were manned by gentlemen drivers. Finishing seventh were Dutchmen Paul van Splunteren and Niek Hommerson as well as Belgian Louis Machiels for the ProSpeed Competition team, followed by the second Felbermayr 911 with drivers Horst Felbermayr Senior and Junior (both Austria) and Slovakia’ s Miroslav Konopka in eighth.

Only one of the six 911 GT3 RSR to contest the race didn’t manage to reach the flag: The 911 of the American Flying Lizard Motorsport squad with drivers Darren Law, Seth Neiman (both USA) and works driver Joerg Bergmeister (Germany) retired after an accident.

1. Lieb/Lietz/Henzler (D/A/D), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 338 laps
2. Farnbacher/Simonsen/Keen (D/AUS/USA), Ferrari F430 GT, 336
3. Holzer/Westbrook/Scheider (D/GB/D), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 327
4. Alesi/Fisichella/Vilander (F/I/FIN), Ferrari F430 GT, 323
5. Pilet/Long/Narac (F/USA/F), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 321
6. J.Müller/Farfus/Alzen (D/BR/D), BMW M3 GT2, 320
7. Van Splunteren/Hommerson/Machiels (NL/NL/BE), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 317
8. Felbermayr Sen./Felbermayr Jun./Konopka (A/A/SK), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 304

Four 911 GT3 RSR qualify in top ten

Great start for Porsche customers in Le Mans: In qualifying for the 24 hour race, four of six pilots driving the 911 GT3 RSR made the top ten in the GT2 category. With 18 cars from seven different manufacturers, this class is excellently supported and offers particularly tough competition. The fastest Porsche driver in the 450 hp 911 was factory pilot Marc Lieb (Germany), who lapped the 13.629 kilometre circuit in a time of 4.01.640 minutes. This puts Lieb fifth on the grid in the GT2 class with his works driver teammates, Richard Lietz (Austria) and Wolf Henzler (Germany).

The qualifying session provided an extra portion of suspense through the constantly changing track conditions. While yesterday evening’s first session was dry, the second qualifying started on a damp track before it slowly dried up. “Fifth on the grid is okay,” said Lieb, who competes with Lietz and Henzler for the German Felbermayr-Proton team. “I could have done a better time, but I had a bit of bad luck with traffic.” Lietz added: “Despite the changing conditions we managed to find a good set-up. And that is the main thing when you’re tackling a 24 hour race.”

The trio manning the 911 GT3 RSR fielded by the French IMSA Performance Matmut team was satisfied with the sixth grid position. “Our car’s balance is very good,” works driver Patrick Pilet (France) summed up. “We are well prepared and believe the key to success in Le Mans is not to make mistakes and stay concentrated.” Pilet takes up the race with works driver Patrick Long (USA) and Raymond Narac (France).

The drivers for the Italian BMS Scuderia Italia squad put in a remarkable performance with eights. All three contest the long distance classic for the first time. Britain’s Richard Westbrook set the qualifying time. His teammates are Porsche Junior Marco Holzer (Germany) and his compatriot, DTM champion Timo Scheider. “We’re all totally impressed with the track and the overall atmosphere,” said Holzer. “I’ve never driven such high speed corners before, so you have to feel your way to find the limit.” Scheider commented: “It’s crazy how many spectators already arrived at the beginning of the week.”

America’s Flying Lizard Motorsports were also not too unhappy with their tenth grid position. “I drove the fastest lap with used tyres,” explained works driver Joerg Bergmeister (Germany). The GT champion of the American Le Mans Series shares the cockpit in Le Mans with Americans Seth Neiman and Darren Law.

Porsche’s factory drivers Timo Bernhard (Germany) and Romain Dumas (France), who like last year received the go-ahead to contest Le Mans for Audi, take up the race in the R15 TDI from fifth place.

Between the second and third qualifying sessions, Marc Lieb turned demonstration laps at the wheel of the Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid. The technology of the race car expressly typifies the philosophy of “Porsche Intelligent Performance”. Its 480 hp normally-aspirated rear-engine is supplemented by two 60 kilowatt electric motors at the front axle. Prior to the start of the 24 hour race, the 911 GT3 R Hybrid will again turn demo laps, with the orange-white 911 available for race fans to have a close look at in the paddock over the entire weekend.

The 24 hour race gets underway on Saturday, 12 June, at 15.00 hours. Television stations Eurosport and Eurosport 2 take turns in broadcasting the race around the clock, with Eurosport, as a major sports channel, showing about two-thirds of the race live.

1. Melo/Kaffer/Bruni (BR/D/I), Ferrari F430 GT, 3.59.233 minutes
2. Gavin/Beretta/Collard (GB/MC/F), Chevrolet Corvette C6 ZR1, + 0.202 seconds
3. Magnussen/O’Connell/Garcia (DK/USA/E), Chevrolet Corvette C6 ZR1, + 0.560
4. Alesi/Fisichella/Vilander (F/I/FIN), Ferrari F430 GT, + 0.604
5. Lieb/Lietz/Henzler (D/A/D), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, + 2.407
6. Pilet/Long/Narac (F/USA/F), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, + 2.522
7. J.Müller/Farfus/Alzen (D/BR/D), BMW M3 GT2, + 2.660
8. Holzer/Westbrook/Scheider (D/GB/D), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, + 2.781
9. Farnbacher/Simonsen/Keen (D/AUS/USA), Ferrari F430 GT, + 3.194
10. Bergmeister/Neiman/Law (D/USA/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, + 3.452

Strong performance from Porsche teams – but no happy ending

Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid defies rain and fog

Right place, right time – for Porsche works driver Joerg Bergmeister (Germany), the timing at the first qualifying session of the 24 hour race was perfect. At the wheel of the Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid, he opted for slicks at the right moment before heavier rain set in again. With a lap time of 9:26.421 minutes on the 25.378 kilometre combination of the Grand Prix circuit and the Nordschleife, Bergmeister planted Porsche Team Manthey’s orange and white liveried 911, with its 480 hp combustion engine supplemented by two 60 kilowatt electric motors, on second place. The German teams up with works driver Richard Lietz (Austria), Porsche junior Marco Holzer (Germany), and the former Porsche junior driver Martin Ragginger (Austria).

Because of thick fog, the first qualifying session was halted at 22.20 hours after three of the scheduled four hours. Tomorrow, the second and final two-hour qualifying session takes place at 12.45 hours, before the 38th edition of the Eifel classic takes off on Saturday at 15.00 hours. The Porsche teams were well prepared. Under cold and changeable weather conditions, they completed the first qualifying without any problems and safely covered the minimum amount of laps as required by the regulations.

Third position went to Team Mamerow Racing. Former Porsche junior Chris Mamerow (Germany) achieved the third quickest time of the field in the 911 GT3 R. Mamerow competes alongside Porsche works driver Wolf Henzler and his German compatriot Joerg Hardt.

For the title defenders from Manthey Racing, Porsche works driver Marc Lieb (Germany) claimed the quickest time with sixth. After winning three times in succession, the driver quartet returns this year to compete under team boss Olaf Manthey. Sharing driving duties are works drivers Timo Bernhard (Germany) and Romain Dumas (France) as well as experienced Manthey pilot Marcel Tiemann (Monaco).

The 911 GT3 R run by Haribo Team Manthey secured 16th position in qualifying. At the wheel of the 911 sporting the Haribo gold bear design is a racing pro line-up consisting of Lance David Arnold (Germany), Christian Menzel (Germany), Richard Westbrook (Great Britain) and Alexander Margaritis (Germany).

The squad driving the Porsche 911 GT3 RS brought home a commendable 36th place. The four men aim to show that a production vehicle is up to the challenges of a 24 hour race. Manning the vehicle for the 24 hour classic is former DTM pilot Roland Asch (Germany), race professional and TV commentator Patrick Simon (Germany), as well as two Nürburgring-experienced journalists Horst von Saurma (Germany) and Chris Harris (Great Britain).

Television station Sport1 (formerly DSF) broadcasts over 20 hours of the Nürburgring 24 hour race. For the first time, Porsche offers its German-speaking fans its own internet radio as part of a web special under http://www.porsche.com. In a ten-minute radio show held on the hour every hour during the race, commentator Burkhard Bechtel reports on the progress of the Porsche league, and also interviews interesting guests at the track.

New Racing Version for International GT Sport

Stuttgart. Following the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, is entering yet another racing car in the 2010 motorsport season: The 911 GT3 R will be raced in series based on the international FIA GT3 regulations, thus succeeding the 911 GT3 Cup S. The main focus in developing this new model was on even better drivability and even easier handling.

The 911 GT3 R is powered by a four-litre six-cylinder boxer engine delivering maximum output of 480 bhp (353 kW) transmitted to the rear axle by a sequential six-speed dog gearbox.

The starting point in developing the 911 GT3 R weighing just 1,200 kg or 2,646 lb was the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup presented in September for one-make cup racing. Thanks to its increase in engine size by 0.2 litres, the GT3 R offers 30 bhp more than the Cup model. Both cars are based on the extra-wide body of the 911 GT3 RS street-legal sports car.

An anti-lock brake system (ABS), traction control and an e-gas with “throttle-blip” function make it much easier to get used to this new GT3 racing car than its predecessor, meaning that the new model is also more appropriate for the ambitious amateur racing driver.

Flared wheel arches added on to the body both front and rear bear clear testimony to the wider track than on the former model. And like all second-generation versions of the 911, the new 911 GT3 R also comes with striking LED rear light clusters.

The Porsche 911 GT3 R is making its world debut on 14 January 2010 at the Birmingham Motor Show. The car is built by Porsche’s Motorsport Department at the Weissach Development Centre and will be delivered to Customer Teams the world over as of spring 2010. The base price of the Porsche 911 GT3 R is 279,000 euros plus local sales tax/VAT.