Porsche, this past week, released a press release announcing the Porsche 911 GT3 R which will be racing in the 2010 motorsport season. Since my racing knowledge currently lies between zip and nill, I’ve posted the entire press release below.
However, from an aesthetic standpoint, this is one wicked looking machine. I’m really starting to appreciate what these race destined cars represent and are capable of. Maybe that will lead me to learn something about the sport in general. Or perhaps someone will step up and offer a mini-series of posts that can teach us all the basics. Any takers?
Here’s the full press release from Porsche:
Stuttgart – November 19 — 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, succeeding the 911 GT3 Cup S. The main focus in developing this new model was on better drivability and easier handling.
The 911 GT3 R is powered by a four-liter six-cylinder boxer engine delivering maximum output of 480 hp (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 liters, 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 will make its world debut on January 14, 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 RS is 279,000 Euros plus local sales tax/VAT.
NOTE: The new Porsche 911 GT3 R does not meet the current specification requirements for the American Le Mans Series Challenge class, IMSA Patron GT3 Challenge by Yokohama, Rolex Grand-Am GT or the SPEED World Challenge GT, and therefore will not be imported to North America.
[Source & Pictures: PCNA]
Awesome!..Particularly that front end view…..Would be cool if a an EXACT street replica was made by Porsche…Sans the sponsor decals.
Ryan, I know you aren’t much into racing but next year will be one of the best seasons for gt racing. The ALMS gt2 class is going to have a great variety of cars. I highly recommend that you take in one of the races. If you have never been it might change how you feel.
@James – Yeah, I will do that this next year. Any in particular that you recommend?
Ryan. It looks like the ALMS closest visit to you is may 20-22 at Laguna Seca, the GT2 class next year will be a great show with Porsche,BMW,Aston Martin,Corvette,Viper and Ford GT. If you take the kids get the pit passes and bring your camera, don’t be afraid to ask if you can take a picture of your kids next to the cars the answer will often be yes and it will give you a good opportunity to get up close to the car.Think GT3RSR. On a side not the opportunity to take pictures of the cars coming down the cork screw is one of my life goals.