Porsche 911 GT3 R claims 12th Nurburgring 24 Hours win

PORSCHE has designed a new customer racer for GT3 series worldwide for 2019 based on the 911 GT3 RS production sports car: the 911 GT3 R. During the development of the up to 550-hp racing 911, special attention was paid to aerodynamics, further optimized safety as well as lowering the cost of servicing and spare parts.

After an enthralling final phase, the 911 GT3 R with the starting number 912 won the 24-hour race in the Eifel mountains. In pouring rain, the 911 fielded by the Manthey-Racing team took the lead 70 minutes before the end of the race and held onto it to the flag. This marks Porsche’s first victory since 2011 on the legendary long-distance racetrack and hands the brand its twelfth victory.

The GT3 R (#912) took up the race on Saturday at 3:30pm in bright sunshine from sixth on the grid, but fell far behind with a puncture. During the night, the driver line-up of Richard Lietz (A), Patrick Pilet (F), Frédéric Makowiecki (F) and Nick Tandy (GB) caught up to the frontrunners and moved into second place despite a time penalty.

When the race was restarted on Sunday after fog halted the race at 1:45pm, the final driver Frédéric Makowiecki snatched the lead with a masterful overtaking maneuver and crossed the finish line in first place after 135 laps.

Powering the new 911 GT3 R is a cutting-edge 4.0-liter flat-6 which is largely identical to the highperformance production engine of the road-legal 911 GT3 RS. Direct fuel injection as well as variable valve timing adjustments of the intake and exhaust camshafts ensure efficient use of fuel. Moreover, compared to its predecessor, the normally-aspirated engine offers significantly better driveability and a broader usable rev range.

Power is transferred to the 310mm-wide rear wheels via a Porsche sequential six-speed constant-mesh gearbox with an electronic shift actuator for fast and precise gear changes. As in the GT road-going models, the driver changes gears via shift paddles on the steering wheel. The clutch is electrohydraulically controlled, which eliminates the need for the clutch pedal and assists quick race starts. Typical of the 911, the weight distribution ensures excellent traction and braking performance.

The spectacular aerodynamics of the 911 GT3 R also follows the example of the road car. The distinctive wheel arch air vents on the front fairings increase downforce at the front axle. Measuring 1,900mm in width by 400mm in depth, the rear wing lends aerodynamic balance. In tandem with the new Porsche double wishbone suspension, this ensures superior braking performances and consistency over the race.

The brake system of the GT3 R also underwent further modifications and now offers increased stiffness and more precise control of the ABS. At the front, six-piston aluminum monobloc racing brake calipers combined with 390mm vented and grooved brake discs ensure outstanding braking. Fitted at the rear are four-piston calipers and 370m discs.

Another development focus was on the safety features of the GT3 R. In order to improve pit stop performance, the 120-litre FT3 safety fuel cell can now be refilled from the left or the right depending on the circuit layout. The doors and the side windows can be removed. The new racing bucket seat affords pilots even better protection in the event of a collision. In addition, the driver is protected thanks to a side impact element positioned in the driver’s door, which consists of a carbon- fibre Kevlar aluminum construction with energyabsorbing plastic foam.

The cockpit has been redesigned. For the first time the 911 GT3 R features airconditioning. This ensures ideal interior cooling and, thanks to the direct connection to the seat and driver’s helmet, enables particularly efficient cooling of the driver, which in turn helps them maintain concentration and a constant performance over the race.