PORSCHEINR-GT CUPRALLYATTACK
Porsche has confirmed its competition department in Weissach will develop its first official rally car for the 2020 season.
The German manufacturer will prepare a rally version of the motorsport-only 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport to enter the FIA R-GT Cup next year. While there is no official confirmation, there’s strong speculation of a one-make series for the 425bhp machine as well.
Former FIA R-GT Cup winner and Porsche factory driver Romain Dumas has been involved in the development of a Cayman GT4 Rallye Concept Car. Dumas drove this as course car at last year’s Rally Germany.
While next year’s motor is based on the all-new GT4 revealed last month, Dumas’ efforts were a key factor in Porsche’s official return to rallying.
A communication from Porsche Motorsport stated: “The appearance of the Porsche Cayman GT4 Rallye Concept Car at the 2018 Rallye Deutschland yielded positive feedback. The response from the rally fan camp, teams, drivers and series organisers was a decisive factor in going ahead with the new development programme.
“The comparatively low operating cost of the new R-gt-regulation vehicle is a major advantage, thanks to its close affinity to the production car.”
The 718 GT4 Clubsport runs a 3.8-litre flat six engine and rear-wheel-drive configuration.
Porsche has enjoyed success in rallying, winning the Monte Carlo with Vic Elford, Bjorn Waldegard and Jean-pierre Nicolas and Corsica with Jean-luc Therier. Much of that success has, however, come through the work of private preparation firms such as Prodrive. The British team worked on the 911 SC for world championship rallies before this car became the basis of the 959 which would go on to win Dakar.