I love watching the delivery of new Porsche race cars. They arrive from the factory naked with only their stark white skin to protect them from the perils that await on the track. The first four of the 2012 models were delivered to Flying Lizard Motorsports, Paul Miller Racing and Team Falken Tire just in time for their first race track test as they prepare for the 60th Anniversary Mobil1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh from Florida (is it just me or is the naming getting a little out of hand?).
The four recently delivered Porsche race cars will all competed in the American Le Mans Series. Should they so choose, they are also qualified to run in the Le Mans 24 Hours, the FIA World Endurance Championship, the Le Mans Series and the International GT Open to name but a few.
Technically, that is. Yesterday Porsche announced that the 2013 version of the 911 GT3 Cup race car will be virtually unchanged from the current model.
At the same time that the new, seventh generation Porsche 911 (type 991) is arriving at Porsche dealerships nationwide, Porsche Motorsports North America President Jens Walther told Porsche racing customers that the 2013 Cup cars (based on the 997 platform) will continue virtually unchanged from this year’s model.
“As with previous models of the 911 GT3 Cup cars, it takes some two years for the race car design to be completed based on a new street car, so we anticipate the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (type 997) to be the racing platform through at least the 2013 racing season. Meanwhile, we have a limited number of 2012 Cup cars and will have a limited number of 2013 Cup cars that have no specification changes,” said Walther, who pointed out that the Cup car has remained essentially the same since 2010.
Where is the the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup Car Raced
The Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car is the defending Rolex Grand-Am GT champion, as well as the defending SCCA Pirelli World Champion title-holder and the SCCA GT2 Club Racing National Champion, and the spec car for the American Le Mans Series GT Challenge, the International Motor Sports Association GT3 Challenge by Yokohama, and the IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge Canada. Cup cars are also popular in Porsche Owners Club and Porsche Club of America racing series.
“The whole Porsche family is excited about the new Porsche 911 (type 991) street car, but there is so much more to be accomplished in 2012 and 2013 with the current 911 GT3 Cup (type 997),” said Walther.
Since its introduction in 1989, the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup has shown to be both fast and reliable, maintaining its value as it races in different countries in different classes. In last week’s Rolex 24, there were 23 Cup cars that started the race, with 2006 to 2012 models, each made competitive by the upgrades allowed by the sanctioning body and made available by PMNA.
For most, Porsche’s street legal 911 GT3 RS is more than enough Porsche for both street and track. However, one man in Florida decided there was room for improvement. You see, it wouldn’t be practical (that word should be struck from an article like this), if even possible, to convert a track ready GT3 RSR for street use. You could, however, start with a street legal Porsche 911 GT3 RS and go the other way. You just have to find someone willing (and wealthy enough) to do so and a shop with the expertise to make it happen.
Rodger Hawley, owner of Orbit Racing in Riviera Beach, Florida, found an owner of a 2011 Porsche 911 GT3 RS who was game to give it a go. According to Rodger, the project uses all original Porsche factory body parts from a Cup R (a RSR variant raced in Europe and not sold in the US) that provides the exact same body dimensions as the RSR, but with benefits. Perhaps the biggest reason why Orbit chose the Cup R body panels is that they allowed use of the stock radiators and duct work from the donor RS (saving the owner $50k by not having to purchase all the ancillary parts from an actual RSR). Upon completion, the only visible difference is the shape of the inlet ducts (something anyone other than a Porsche race engineer probably won’t notice). Another benefit of the Cup R parts is the ability to retain the factory turn signal housings in the front bumper (a necessity for a street legal Porsche).
Ride Height and Suspension Geometry
The project, originally expected to take around five weeks, ended up taking closer to ten, said Hawley. When I asked him the reasons for the extra five weeks, he couldn’t point to any one thing in particular. He did, however, discuss the time and attention needed to deal with ride height. More specifically, he talked about the geometry of the suspension and the expertise needed to get it right; in effect, providing a comfortable experience at the now even lower ride height while accommodating much more rubber than normal.
While the engine remains stock for now at 3.8 liters (Rodger says the owner has future plans to increase displacement to 4.1 or 4.2) the build is nothing short of stunning. Since the completion of this project, Orbit has had multiple requests for even more conversions. Rodger thinks similar conversions will take around 8 weeks to complete. While cost wasn’t disclosed, Rodger did mention that his team put over 200 hours into this project and that’s just labor alone. All in all, if you can afford it, it seems like a great way to have an amazing, wide body RSR look for reasonable money (remember it’s all relative).
Watch and Learn How to Build a Street Legal Porsche 911 GT3 RSR
Fortunately, Rodger and Orbit likes to document their work. The crew at Orbit Racing took hundreds of pictures during the construction phase of this project and put each of them (along with a lot of notes) up on their web-site. Follow this link to start at the beginning. Just hit the “previous” button (you’re going in reverse order) after viewing each picture to see the next in line.
About the only thing better than the photo documented build are the four videos Orbit produced during the project. They show a fair amount of the work and explain some of the more difficult steps of the build process. The third video is by far the most detailed and explains how Orbit tackled some of the suspension issues. We posted them below for your viewing pleasure.
Be sure to check out the Orbit Racing site for pictures and videos of other completed project and ongoing conversions. Special thanks to Rodger for taking the time to speak with us about this extraordinary project!
Based on the 997 type 911 GT3 RS sports car, the 2012 911 GT3 RSR will compete at the Le Mans 24 Hours, the FIA World Endurance Championship, in the Le Mans Series, the American Le Mans Series and the International GT Open (just to name a few).
Extensive Modification of the 2012 Porsche 911 GT3 RSR
Heading into the 2012 season, the GT3 RSR comes with extensive modifications from last year’s version. Most noticeable are the changes to the body. The 2012 version flares out almost 48 milimeters (2 inches) wider than last year. Paddle shifters operate the sequential six-speed gearbox that put 460 hp (even with the mandatory air-restrictor affixed) to the 310 millimeter (12.2 inches) wide rear wheels and front wheels that have increased by 30 millimeters (1.2 inches). Lastly, there is new ducting for the intake of air including openings on the rear side sections (similar to the Turbo variants) that replace the air scoop on the engine hood.
The new Porsche 911 GT3 RSR will be delivered to customer teams starting in January of 2012. If you want one for your garage, the selling prices is about 500,000 Euros (we’re still trying to get in touch with Porsche Motorsports North America to get the US price).
UPDATE: The 2012 Porsche 911 GT3 RSR sells for $533,000 from Porsche Cars North America, Inc. plus features listed below.
Vehicle Base Price: US$ 533,000 f.o.b. Weissach (Germany). This includes:
A/C System
heated windshield
Bosch memory kit
thermostat kit for long-distance
Add another $657.80 for the four required transportation hooks (you would think at $533k that Porsche could include those), $5,600 for the required ALMS lighting package (consists of Xenon main lights, additional headlights, start number lighting and cockpit lighting. Your only true option is the Bosch Memory Darab License for $5,100. Oh yeah, don’t forget about the sales tax…
In a press release earlier this week, Porsche Motorsport announced that the Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid Version 2.0 will make its racing debut on the West Coast, September 17 at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Even though this particular Porsche is not eligible for championship points, as the hybrid technology is not yet part of the GT program, the next test is planned for the ALMS race at the 2.23 mile course featuring the famous Corkscrew Turn.
Along with the release came the cutaway above (you can click on the image for a larger version) and the explanation below. I’m a huge fan of the 911 GT3 R 2.0 Hybrid so I always like to see more of the technology explained and illustrated. The rest of the info from the release is below for your enjoyment and information. For even more pictures be sure to check out the gallery on the PorschePurist.com Facebook page. If you do jump over to look at the pictures, please be sure to take a minute and “like” our page too! We post lots of photos and information on Facebook that never make it to the site.
The Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid 2.0, with two 75 kilowatt electric motors on the front axle supplementing the 465 hp four-liter, six-cylinder power unit at the rear, particularly embodies the philosophy of “Porsche Intelligent Performance”: The electric energy is generated during braking and stored in an electric flywheel. During acceleration, this energy is automatically delivered to the front wheels, supporting the combustion engine. This leads to a reduction in fuel consumption and increases the cruising range on the circuit. Moreover, drivers can manually utilize the stored energy with a boost-paddle on the steering wheel for overtaking. The 911 GT3 R Hybrid has undergone further development since 2010, and compared to its predecessor, its weight was reduced from 1,350 kilograms (2970 lbs.) to 1,300 kilograms (2860 lbs.).
Two Porsche works pilots, Romain Dumas (France) and Richard Lietz (Austria) will share the cockpit of the orange and white racer from Weissach
Dumas has already driven the world’s most innovative GT vehicle last year at the “Petit Le Mans”, the ALMS race at the Road Atlanta circuit. Lietz piloted the Hybrid-911 at the 24 hour races on the Nuerburgring in 2010 and 2011 as well as at various other long distance races.
“I’m very much looking forward to demonstrate the capabilities of this very special car at race speed to the spectators in California. Many Porsche fans live on the west coast, and some of them have already discovered the advantages of the hybrid system at the wheel of a Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid,” said Romain Dumas. “I’m very excited, because Laguna Seca is one of the most challenging race tracks on earth. Its layout with a series of up and downhill passages should actually suit our 911 GT3 R Hybrid.”
Today, Porsche announced that the final 2012 spec Porsche 911 GT3 Cup is ready for prime time and will be delivered to teams around the world starting in September. This final build (adding to the the 2200 already produced and delivered) will be run for the 2012 and 2013 race season.
The new Porsche 911 GT3 Cup will be delivered to teams around the world from September and will be run in this specification for the 2012 and 2013 race seasons in selected one make series. Amongst other improvements, the new Cup car is fitted with an even larger fuel tank making it suitable for an even wider range of endurance races.
Like those before it, the 2012-spec Porsche 911 GT3 Cup is based on the lightweight 911 GT3 RS (997) street sports car. The engine is largely identical to the production power plant of the 911 GT3 RS. It delivers the same 450 bhp and the same maximum engine speed of 8,500 rpm. A specially fitted race exhaust system with a controlled catalytic converter keeps emissions to a minimum.
The flared wheel arches at the front axle accommodate light alloy rims measuring 9.5Jx18 with 25/64-18 Michelin race tires. The light alloy rims at the rear measure 12Jx18 with 30/68-18 tyres. Depending on the type of racing, the new 911 GT3 Cup features different rim specifications. The blade-type anti-roll bars at the front and rear are adjustable in seven positions allowing an extremely precise set-up for each race track. Exclusive to the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup which runs as support to Formula 1 is the PCCB Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake. Compared to the composite cast brakes in the Carrera Cups and the GT3 Cup Challenges, PCCB reduces the weight of the car by around 20 kilograms (about 44 lbs).
The cockpit of the new 911 GT3 Cup caters to the needs of the driver. The controls for the info display are positioned on the steering wheel which houses six switches. As in street going versions, the reach and height of the steering wheel can be adjusted.
If you’re interested in racing, the price of entry (well at least the price of the GT3 Cup) is 161,750 Euro plus value-added tax of the respective countries.
Building on the well-received Carrera GTS, with its extra power, visual panache and extensive extras for an attractive price, Porsche AG today announced the Carrera 4 GTS. A 408-hp coupe or cabriolet with intelligent all-wheel-drive designed for all seasons and all road conditions, the Carrera 4 GTS wraps an aggressive wide body around a long list of performance, comfort and cosmetic enhancements.
A rear-mounted 3.8-litre flat-six delivers 408 hp – an upgrade of 23 hp over the 911 Carrera 4S on which it is based – thanks to a number of internal changes, including a wholesale revamping of the intake duct. The special aspiration system not only improves peak power output, but flexibility as well, thanks to a more generous torque curve. The extra power is enhanced by a sports exhaust system that delivers its unmistakable acoustic signature through four black tailpipes finished with polished, nano-coated inner shells.
The extra power results in improved acceleration. A Carrera 4 GTS coupe equipped with the optional seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) and Sport Chrono Package with launch control makes the sprint to 100 km/h in just 4.2 seconds. Yet the additional sportiness comes without an increase in consumption: following the Porsche Intelligent Performance development philosophy, the new model consumes no more fuel than the Carrera 4S in the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC).
Porsche Carrera 4 GTS Delivers Value
The Carrera 4 GTS features an electronically-controlled Porsche Traction Management (PTM) all-wheel drive system that delivers impressive traction, stability and agility in any driving situation. The electromagnetically-controlled multi-plate clutch ensures optimum distribution of power between the front and rear axles. A standard mechanical limited-slip differential further improves traction and driving stability around turns and on varying road surfaces.
Like every all-wheel-drive 911 model, the Carrera 4 GTS features a body with 44-mm wider wheel arches at the rear. It is also distinguishable by its SportDesign front apron, black side skirts from the 911 GT2, red reflective strip between the rear lights and a black panel between the rear tailipipes. Centre-locking 19-inch RS Spyder design wheels, painted in high-gloss black with polished lips, are a final visual flourish.
Inside, black is the dominant colour, with the standard interior featuring Alcantara on the centre sections of the standard sport seats with their larger side bolsters. Black Alcantara is also used wherever the driver comes into direct contact with the vehicle – like on the rim of the three-spoke SportDesign steering wheel, on the gear and handbrake levers and even the door handles and storage box lids.
The extra all-weather performance, visual muscle and standard equipment of the Carrera 4 GTS comes at an attractive price. On sale this fall, prices will start at $111,150 for the Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS Coupe and $121,050 for the Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS Cabriolet.
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