Autoblog

Porsche moving on from 911 GT3 RSR Type 997, new 991-based racer will be ready by 2014

Jeffrey N. Ross — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 09:39:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Porsche, Racing

The 991 Porsche 911 is already on the streets, but we're going to have to wait until 2014 before we see the car in race form on the track. Porsche Motorsport recently announced that it is ending development of the current 997-based 911 GT3 RSR used in the American Le Mans Series in preparation of the new car. Porsche also revealed that its ALMS GT class partnership with Flying Lizard Motorsports is being discontinued as well. While there will be no more 997 cars built for 2013, Porsche will still be supplying teams with extra parts and tubs to compete.

Porsche's announcement, of course, coincides with the recent news that ALMS and Grand-Am are merging for the 2014 season. It isn't clear how the merger will play out between the ALMS and Rolex Series GT cars, but Andy Schupack of Porsche motorsports PR says the merger could get "complicated" since the RSR would be illegal under the current Grand-Am rules.

"It is possible that there will be two GT classes: one for the ALMS GT cars and second class that will probably combine the ALMS GT Challenge with the Rolex GT cars," said Schupack in a phone interview. "The big difference between the two classes now is that Grand-Am cars are tube-frame cars and ALMS GT uses a real chassis that has more in common with a road car."

Schupack also said that there is a possibility that the merger could bring the IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge - a one-make series currently running the 911 GT3 - to Daytona International Speedway for the first time.

Continue reading Porsche moving on from 911 GT3 RSR Type 997, new 991-based racer will be ready by 2014

Porsche moving on from 911 GT3 RSR Type 997, new 991-based racer will be ready by 2014 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 31 Oct 2012 09:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Porsche launches updated 911 GT3 RSR

Noah Joseph — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 10:31:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Porsche, Racing

When Porsche launches a new 911, it doesn't just launch one model, it starts a process that will see literally dozens of variants to follow. Some with turbos, some without. Some with all-wheel drive, some driving just the rear. Coupes, convertibles, targas, lightweight models, and yes, even racing versions.

The 911, after all, is one of the most prolific racing cars on circuits around the world. This example, however, is not based on the new 911. What you see here is still based on the old 997. But it is the pinnacle of Porsche Motorsport's range of customer racing cars.

The new GT3 RSR is built to race in the ACO's GTE category, making it instantly eligible for competition in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Le Mans Series, the American Le Mans Series and the new FIA World Endurance Championship, as well as the International GT Open and a variety of other series and events.

Its 4.0-liter boxer six drives 460 horsepower (kept in check by a mandatory air restrictor) to the rear wheels via a six-speed sequential gearbox. Porsche has also fitted larger wheels front and rear, and given it a completely new aero package to keep it glued to the tarmac, slicing through the air and at front of the pack.

The best part is that you can buy one yourself. That is, assuming you've got half a million euros (about $675k) to spend on a track toy. Either way, you can check it out in the high-res image gallery and the press release after the jump.

Continue reading Porsche launches updated 911 GT3 RSR

Porsche launches updated 911 GT3 RSR originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Nov 2011 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Making the Porsche Rennsport Reunion family photo

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Classics, Videos, Porsche, Racing

If you're a Porsche fan, there were enough precious metals at this weekend's Rennsport Reunion IV to put a flutter of butterflies in the sturdiest of stomachs. The company naturally made sure to capture the moment, and just as naturally, it wasn't any mere point-and-shoot affair.

For a gorgeous time-lapse look at how 40 vintage Porsche racers (including 911s, 935s, 917s, 962s and 956s) posed for the camera in the California sun, the rest of the story is in the video after the jump.

Continue reading Making the Porsche Rennsport Reunion family photo

Making the Porsche Rennsport Reunion family photo originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Oct 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Porsche looks into the future of motorsport

Jeff Glucker — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 16:02:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Porsche

Porsche is good at building race cars, and what the company learns on the track trickles down to its passenger vehicles. This is what makes driving them so rewarding.

In a new video, Hartmut Kristen, head of Porsche Motorsport, discusses the link between Porsche's track and street cars, and he also takes a look at the future of motorsports. Click past the jump to watch.

Continue reading Porsche looks into the future of motorsport

Porsche looks into the future of motorsport originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 24 Sep 2011 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Another day, another racing 911: Introducing the Porsche GT3 R

Sam Abuelsamid — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:29:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Porsche, Misc. Auto Shows

2010 Porsche 911 GT3 R - click above for high-res image gallery

Over its nearly half-century of its existence, the Porsche 911 seems to have spawned nearly as many racing variants as production models. The newest one announced is the 911 GT3 R, which, as the name implies, is targeted at GT3 class racing worldwide. The GT3 R is the followup to the GT3 Cup S model and just as with its road cars, Porsche has aimed to make the new racer both faster and easier to drive.

The GT3 R is derived from the most recent Cup car that was launched in September. It uses a larger normally aspirated 4.0-liter version of the classic flat-six that cranks out 480 horsepower. Like other road racing 911s, this one is rear-wheel drive only and uses a six-speed gearbox. The GT3 will be shown publicly in January at the Birmingham Motor Show in the UK before deliveries to teams start next spring. Since we can't afford one, we're hoping to see a few of these in the ALMS' new GT Challenge class next season. High-res gallery below, official press release after the jump.

Gallery: 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 R

[Source: Porsche]

Continue reading Another day, another racing 911: Introducing the Porsche GT3 R

Another day, another racing 911: Introducing the Porsche GT3 R originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2008 Porsche 911 GT2 introduction: The world's best seats

Eric Bryant — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 12:02:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Performance, Technology, Supercars, Porsche

Even with the world-class handling and amazing power of the 2008 Porsche GT2, a relatively mundane component stood out - the seats. Yeah, we didn't expect to come back from Daytona and do an entire post just on seating technology, but yet here it is. Then again, maybe it's OK to be so fascinated by these chairs, as they're they #1 interface between driver and vehicle.

Live Photos Copyright (C)2007 Eric Bryant / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading 2008 Porsche 911 GT2 introduction: The world's best seats

2008 Porsche 911 GT2 introduction: The world's best seats originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Nov 2007 12:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pinch Us: Autoblog drives the 2008 Porsche GT2

Eric Bryant — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 12:01:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Performance, Supercars, Porsche, First Drives

It's just before noon on a Thursday morning as I saunter down pit row at Daytona International Speedway and slide into the supportive sport bucket seat of a 2008 Porsche 911 GT2. I fiddle a bit with the seat and steering column adjustments until I'm comfortable, then double-check that my seatbelt is secured. It's hot and humid, but that's not why I'm perspiring - this cold sweat is a sign that my body's survival instincts are on edge, and for good reason. Fortunately, I've received personalized instruction from a quartet of legendary drivers and a complete technical briefing courtesy of Porsche Motorsports engineers, and there's little left to be learned without actually driving the car. I depress the heavily-weighted clutch pedal, muscle the short-throw shifter into 1st gear, bring the revs up, and...

A typical car-nut daydream? No - this was Autoblog's trip to the North American introduction of the third-generation Porsche 911 GT2. The folks from Zuffenhausen brought their latest no-holds-barred supercar to Daytona Beach, and allowed a select group of journalists to compare this latest effort to two other very capable 911 variants - the Turbo Coupe and GT3.

Gallery: 2008 Porsche GT2 intro

Porsche provided the vehicles for testing. Autoblog does not accept travel or lodging from automakers when attending media events.

Live Photos Copyright (C)2007 Eric Bryant / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading Pinch Us: Autoblog drives the 2008 Porsche GT2

Pinch Us: Autoblog drives the 2008 Porsche GT2 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Nov 2007 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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