NEWS // McLAREN OUTSOURCING GT2/GT3 MP4-12C PRODUCTION

According to AutoWeek, McLaren will team up with independent racing garages to turn their MP4-12C road car into a race car. The report suggests that CRS, a British outfit that's seen success in both GT and open-wheel racing, will build some fifteen GT3-spec MP4-12Cs, as well as a batch of GT2-spec cars that could find their way to Le Mans by 2013. Click here for additional information // [comment]

NEWS // PORSCHE UNVEILS NEW 911 GT3 CUP CAR

Porsche has just unveiled the latest iteration of the 911 GT3 Cup car. Based on the GT3 RS production car, the new Cup car is powered by a 3.8-liter flat-six with 450 horsepower, 30 more horses than the outgoing model courtesy of 200cc of added displacement. The new GT3 Cup also looks more like the RS, with an aggressive aero package and LED lighting, and will make its racing debut at the opening round of next season's Porsche Carrera Cup GB Championship.

Follow the link for the official press release... [read more]

Press Release:

NEW PORSCHE 911 GT3 CUP RACE CAR DEMONSTRATES DIRECT LINK FROM TRACK TO RS ROAD CAR

* Based on the iconic Porsche 911 GT3 RS road car, the new 911 GT3 Cup race car is powered by an identical 450 hp flat six 3.8-litre engine and shares distinctive bodywork
* The 911 GT3 Cup is latest edition of the best-selling racing car of all time – over 1,400 sold
* New car will race in the 2011 Porsche Carrera Cup GB, the UK’s fastest single marque sports car Championship

The new Porsche 911 GT3 Cup race car that will make its debut in the 2011 Porsche Carrera Cup GB Championship is the latest edition of the best-selling racing car of all time, having been built in a production series of more than 1,400 units since 1998.

The latest 911 GT3 Cup racer is based for the first time on the 911 GT3 RS road car, with the weight of the motor sport derivative reduced significantly versus the already lightweight road car. The 911 GT3 Cup is designed for racing in the many Porsche Carrera Cup Championships around the globe and the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup that supports Grands Prix, and was based previously on the 911 GT3.

As a consequence of being based on the 911 GT3 RS, this is the first 911 GT3 Cup car to feature the 44-millimetre (1.73″) wider body at the rear, which provides increased space for even larger wheels and slick tyres. Wider front wheel arches also clearly show that the front wheels/tyres are likewise bigger which, combined with other evolutionary changes, has enabled the dynamic performance of the latest car to reach new heights.

Engine capacity is up by 0.2 litres over the prior GT3 Cup car, with power output rising by 30 hp more than before. Thus the rear-mounted 3.8-litre six-cylinder horizontally-opposed power unit develops 450 hp, and drives the rear wheels through a sequential six-speed manual gearbox and limited slip differential.

Emphasising the Porsche ‘track to road’ philosophy which has guided the company since its beginnings in 1948, the power unit featured in the new 911 GT3 Cup is largely identical to the production engine in the 911 GT3 RS – and offers the same output of 450 hp and identical maximum engine speed of 8,500 rpm.

The 911 GT3 Cup race car is designed by the same team based in Weissach, near Stuttgart, Germany, responsible for the iconic Porsche 911 GT3 and RS road cars. In keeping with the lightweight, race-bred credentials that are synonymous with Porsche RS models, the road car weighs 1,370 kg. As befits its single-minded motor sport purpose, the 911 GT3 Cup race car tips the scales at 1,200 kg, resulting in even sharper performance on the circuit.

From the outside, the new 911 GT3 Cup clearly demonstrates its RS road car origins while at the same time maintaining the purposeful appearance of a race car. The striking daytime driving lights come straight from the current generation of the 911 and the front body panels are the same as on the 911 GT3 RS. However, the front spoiler lip is 15 millimetres (approx 0.6″) lower to provide significantly more downforce on the front axle.

Downforce on the rear axle is also increased by the rear wing, that is extended in width from 1.46 to 1.70 metres (57.5 to 66.9″) and now mounted higher up in a development feature reminiscent of that fitted to the even faster 911 GT3 R raced in international FIA GT3 series. The rear bumper valance with its distinctive air vent openings and LED technology rear lights, in turn, come straight from the GT3 RS road car.

The wider front wheel arches and the flared rear wheel housings provide ample space for even wider wheels. The front axle rides on three-piece light-alloy rims measuring 9.5 J x 18 (previously 9 J x 18) and running on 24/64-18 Michelin racing tyres. The width of the three-piece light-alloy rims on the rear axle have increased by one inch, and now measure 12 J x 18 with 27/68-18 tyres.

Additional Unibal joints are featured on the track control arms of the front and rear suspension to permit greater chassis adjustability, and the sword-shaped anti-roll bars fitted front and rear are now adjustable to seven different positions on both sides. Combined, this allows for an even more precise set-up of the car depending on the characteristics of the respective race track.

The cockpit of the new 911 GT3 Cup caters more than ever before for the specific needs of the race driver. An additional vent in the upper part of the front lid, for example, provides the driver with a better supply of fresh air. The controls for the Info Display are now positioned directly on the steering wheel which houses a total of six switches that control a variety of functions including the pit-lane speed limiter, windscreen wipers, and lights. In addition to fore-and-aft adjustment, the steering wheel may now also be adjusted for height, as on the 911 road car.

The new Porsche 911 GT3 Cup costs £94,600 plus VAT and deliveries to customers will begin in early 2011. Next season it will be raced not only in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB, but also in the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup on the occasion of Formula 1 races and many other Cup Championships around the world.

Image and Info: Porsche
Editorial: Justin W. Coffey

VIDEO // PORSCHE'S 911 GT3 R HYBRID @ PETIT LE MANS

Driven by Timo Bernhard, Mike Rockenfeller and Romain Dumas, Porsche's experimental 911 GT3 R Hybrid survived Petit Le Mans this weekend, finishing 18th overall. According to Porsche, the car suffered more from bad tire choice than hybrid system complications. That being said, you'd think they Petit Le Mans after watching this post-race promo video. A bit much considering they finished mid-pack // [comment]

VIDEO // FRIKADELLI RACING @ ADAC BARBOSSA CUP

In the video featured below, watch as German racing driver, Niclas Kentenich, at the wheel of the Frikadelli Racing Porsche 997 GT3 R, avoids a collision with Bernd Schneider and the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 on the first lap of last weekends ADAC Barbossa Cup at the Nurburgring. Not exactly the kind of debut Mercedes was hoping for, but hey that's racing. Follow the link for a look... [read more]



Image: FotoCommunity
Info: Axis of Oversteer
Editorial: Justin W. Coffey

VIDEO(S) // GT SHOWDOWN - PRODUCTION VS. PRO

Our friends at Motoring con Brio just posted this wonderful collection of videos featuring a handful of ALMS GT2 class cars and their respective roadgoing versions. Apparently, Road & Track asked various racing drivers, to include Patrick Long, Jaime Melo and Tommy Milner, to comment on their race cars after driving the roadgoing version at Miller Motorsports Park. Follow the link for the videos... [read more]











Video(s): Motoring con Brio
Photo: Corvette Racing
Editorial: Justin W. Coffey

NEWS // SLS AMG GT3 TO MAKE RACING DEBUT @ NURBURGRING

On Saturday September 25th, the new SLS AMG GT3 will make its racing debut at the famed Nurburgring. Bernd Schneider and Thomas Jäger will drive the SLS AMG GT3 in the 42nd ADAC Barbarossa Cup, a four-hour race for the VLN Nürburgring endurance championship. According to our friends at JONSIBAL, the first on track appearance of the SLS AMG GT3 is part of the development and testing program which commenced in June of this year. The four-hour race on the legendary Nordschleife will test the gullwing model under realistic racing conditions. The focus will not only be on fast lap times, but also on the durability of all components, service-friendliness and smooth procedures during pitstops and driver changes... [read more]

Developed according to the GT3 rules of the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile), the SLS AMG GT3 will take to the starting line for the VLN race in prototype class E1-XP.

Head of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport Norbert Haug: “The Mercedes SLS AMG GT3 will start a new era in Mercedes-Benz customer motorsports. This car is an exciting and spectacular sporting tool for committed private teams and talented private drivers. Together with our well-proven sports and touring car partner HWA, AMG will establish a customer motorsports department, and ensure the usual high level of Mercedes service for its motorsports customers.”

The drivers of the SLS AMG GT3 are Bernd Schneider, who has been a Mercedes-Benz works driver for many years and is also an AMG brand ambassador, and Thomas Jäger. With five DTM titles, one ITC championship and one FIA GT championship to his name, Bernd Schneider is one of the most successful German racing drivers. Thomas Jäger is the reigning Porsche Carrera Cup champion, and drove in the DTM series for Mercedes-Benz between 2000 and 2003. This season he will be driving in the ADAC GT-Masters.

Images and Info: JONSIBAL
Editorial: Justin W. Coffey

VIDEO // TIME LAPSE BMW Z4 GT3 ASSEMBLY

Featured below is a time lapse video of a BMW Z4 GT3 being assembled by Team West Coast Racing. The car arrived from BMW Motorsport to the workshop in pieces and it took the Swedish team more than 600 hours to put everything together. Additional images and on-board footage after the jump... [read more]



Here is the completed car competing at the Ring Knutstorp, a motor racing circuit in Kågeröd, Sweden.



Image and Info: JONSIBAL
Video(s): Team West Coast Racing
Editorial: Justin W. Coffey

VIDEO // GT3 CLIMB

Our friend and filmmaker, Will Roegge, working with Luminox Watches, Porsche Motorsport North America and Pirelli, has just released this incredible bit of film, what he is calling GT3 CLIMB. The video, which highlights Jeff Zwart's record setting Pikes Peak International Hill Climb run, was directed by Will and filmed with the help of Los Angeles based photographer and videographer, DC Chavez // [comment]

VIDEO // ATTERBURY'S 997 GT3 CUP CAR @ VIR

My good friend Joey Atterbury just sent me some in-car footage from his first lap around Virginia International Raceway in his new Porsche 997 GT3 cup car. And while I'm not sure if this is a fast lap, or a slow one, it appears Atterbury had no trouble sorting out his new race car // [comment]

PORSCHE PORN // 996 GT3 @ SACHSEN RALLYE

Rally prepped Porsches make us happy, particularly when it's a naturally aspirated GT3. In the video featured above, watch (and listen) as Sieger Olaf Dobberkau and Alexandra König compete in the 2010 AVD Sachsen Rallye, laying waste to both gravel and tarmac stages. Porsche Porn at its finest! // [comment]

VIDEO // AUTOCAR & TOP GEAR TEST 911 GT3 R HYBRID

Autocar test driver, Steve Sutcliffe, and the gentlemen at Top Gear magazine were fortunate enough to spend a day behind the wheel of Porsche's 911 GT3 R Hybrid. In the video provided by Autocar, Sutcliffe explains what it's like to drive Porsche's first hybrid racing car, and comments on the additional 160hp provided by an electric motor connected to the drivetrain. The video that Top Gear posted, on the other hand, features nothing but pure engine sounds, er, make that electric motor noise. Follow the link for a look... [read more]





Image and Info: Autoblog
Editorial: Justin W. Coffey

VIDEO // NEED FOR SPEED'S Z4 GT3 CRASHES @ JARAMA

During last weekends FIA GT3 race at Jarama, Spain, Edward Sandström wrecked the Team Need for Speed BMW Z4 GT3 during Saturday's practice session. The FIA GT3 European Championship now moves onto the Circuit Paul Ricard for the fourth round of the 2010 season // [comment]

VIDEO // JEFF ZWART'S GT3 CUP CAR @ PIKES PEAK

Last weekend, our friend Will Roegge managed to put a camera inside Jeff Zwart's Porsche GT3 Cup car before qualifying for this years Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. Looking to document the uber competitive 2WD Time Attack Class, Roegge managed to capture Zwart's record setting run of 5:01.642 // [comment]

VIDEO // LAMMERTINK RACING @ NURBURGRING 24 HOURS

Driven by WTCC, F3 and GT driver, Tom Coronel, along with Duncan Huisman and Yasushi Kikuchi, check out this video highlighting the Lammertink Racing Porsche 997 GT3 Cup car that was entered into this years Nürburgring 24 Hours. Video comes courtesy of Clash Produciton // [comment]

PORSCHE PORN // HYBRID @ THE GREEN HELL

Enjoy this bit of Eye Candy courtesy of Belgian photographer, Julien Mahiels. Taken during this years Nürburgring 24 Hours, the new 911 GT3 R Hybrid looks right at home on the Nordschleife // [comment]

CULTURE // THE AUDI R8 LMS RACE EXPERIENCE

For those of you interested in racing at a professional level but unable to commit either the time or money necessary, Audi has just announced a program that might meet your needs. What they are calling the R8 LMS Race Experience, Audi's new program allows those with enough money to get behind the wheel of a Team Joest-prepared and backed race car and hit the track in pro competition on the Nurburgring and other European racing circuits... [read more]

"As far as I know, Audi is the first automobile manufacturer in the world to offer such a program,” said Audi's director of Motorsport, Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. “Our colleagues from the Audi driving experience and Reinhold Joest’s squad with whom we’ve been successfully working together since twelve years will provide our customers with an exclusive and unforgettable motorsport experience. And the Audi R8 LMS, which, according to our “factory” drivers, is a very forgiving GT3 car is perfectly suited for this project which we fully support on the part of Audi Sport.”



According to Audi, the R8 LMS Race Experience will be available shortly to anyone who can afford it, and we've gotta say, while the cost may be more than we can stomach, the opportunity to race with the Le Mans-winning Team Joest is almost certainly worth the price of admission.

Images and Info: Audi
Editorial: Justin W. Coffey

RACE REPORT // GT1 & GT3 @ SILVERSTONE

Sumo GT Nissan inherited round two of the FIA GT1 World Championship at Silverstone. The driving team of Jamie Campbell-Walter and Warren Hughes took the victory thanks to penalties to the two Aston Martins ahead on the podium... [read more]


Hexis Racing, with drivers Fred Makowiecki and Thomas Accary, were second at the flag but were given a 15 second penalty for taking a drive through too late.


That dropped them to third but both they and Sumo (third on the road) were promoted when Tomas Enge and Darren Turner, for Young Driver AMR, were disqualified for an illegal underfloor.

FIA GT1 Championship // Round Two @ Silverstone:

1 22 Hughes / Campbell-Walter Nissan GT - R 1:01:46.717 28 25.156
2 9 Makowiecki / Accary Aston Martin DB9 1:01:48.602 28 27.041
3 25 Menten / Kechele Lamborghini Murcielago 670 R-S 1:01:57.001 28 35.440
4 34 Bobbi / Longin Maserati MC12 1:01:57.592 28 36.031
5 8 Mücke / Nygaard Aston Martin DB9 1:01:57.768 28 36.207
6 33 Margaritis / Heger Maserati MC12 1:01:58.504 28 36.943
7 1 Bertolini / Bartels Maserati MC12 1:02:06.027 28 44.466
8 40 Leinders / Martin Ford GT Matech 1:02:09.130 28 47.569
9 4 Ara / Nilsson Nissan GT - R 1:02:14.425 28 52.864
10 41 Palttala / Kuppens Ford GT Matech 1:02:15.507 28 53.946
11 11 Maassen / Armindo Corvette Z06 1:02:22.224 28 1:00.663
12 38 Schwager / Pastorelli Lamborghini Murcielago 670 R-S 1:02:45.441 28 1:23.880
13 10 Hirschi / Piccione Aston Martin DB9 1:03:12.516 28 1:50.955
14 12 Gavin / Kuismanen Corvette Z06 1:01:27.667 25 6.106
15 2 Bernoldi / Ramos Maserati MC12 54:02.931 24 7:18.630
16 24 Kox / Haase Lamborghini Murcielago 670 R-S 37:22.884 16 23:58.677
17 3 Wendlinger / Moser Nissan GT - R 37:23.209 16 23:58.352
18 13 Zuber / Hennerici Corvette Z06 40:52.857 15 20:28.704
19 23 Krumm / Dumbreck Nissan GT - R 23:42.269 10 37:39.292
20 14 Hezemans / Kumpen Corvette Z06 4:18.465 2 57:03.096
21 37 Bouchut / Basseng Lamborghini Murcielago 670 R-S 2:38.419 1 58:43.142
0 7 Turner / Enge Aston Martin DB9 1:01:21.561 28 0.000
0 5 Grosjean / Mutsch Ford GT Matech 0.000 0 0.000


In GT3, race one was won by Siso Cunill and Tim Bergmeister for Trackspeed Porsche, while race two fell to Daniel Keilwitz and Christian Hohenadel for Callaway Corvette.




FIA GT3 European Championship // Round 1 @ Silverstone:

1 101 GT3 Keilwitz/Hohenadel Corvette Z06R GT3 1:01:40.714 28 0 0
2 1 GT3 Rodrigues/Makowiecki Aston Martin DBRS9 1:01:48.980 28 8.266 0
3 20 GT3 Cunill/Bergmeister Porsche 911 GT3 R 1:01:52.949 28 12.235 0
4 25 GT3 Geipel/Lohr Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 1:01:58.792 28 18.078 0
5 77 GT3 Walter/Hürtgen BMW Z4 1:01:59.236 28 18.522 0
6 14 GT3 Eskelinen/Nygaard Ford GT 1:02:03.805 28 23.091 0
7 2 GT3 Paillard/Accary Aston Martin DBRS9 1:02:04.374 28 23.66 0
8 6 GT3 Lemeret/Franchi Audi R8 LMS 1:02:15.840 28 35.126 0
9 76 GT3 Söderlund/Sandström BMW Z4 1:02:33.725 28 53.011 0
10 33 GT3 Breslin/Stuck Audi R8 LMS 1:02:44.998 28 1:04.284 0
11 60 GT3 Lappalainen/Palttala Porsche 911 GT3 R 1:02:54.404 28 1:13.690 0
12 4 GT3 Bonifacio/Ammermüller Audi R8 LMS 1:03:03.383 28 1:22.669 0
13 18 GT3 Seiler/Lunardi Corvette Z06R GT3 1:03:38.106 28 1:57.392 0
14 22 GT3 Patterson/Guasch Audi R8 LMS 1:03:43.513 28 2:02.799 0
15 23 GT3 Brown/Bell Audi R8 LMS 1:01:58.242 27 17.528 1
16 11 GT3 Osborne/Vannelet Porsche 911 GT3 R 1:01:58.939 27 18.225 1
17 61 GT3 van Splunteren/Holzer Porsche 911 GT3 R 1:02:10.391 27 29.677 1
18 100 GT3 van Oranje/Ritskes Corvette Z06R GT3 1:02:18.549 27 37.835 1
19 21 GT3 Ashburn/Ragginger Porsche 911 GT3 R 1:02:36.868 27 56.154 1
20 5 GT3 Hirschi/Lorgere-Roux Audi R8 LMS 1:02:54.681 27 1:13.967 1
21 3 GT3 Heyer/Seidlitz Audi R8 LMS 58:55.421 26 2:45.293 2
22 32 GT3 Breslin/Mehta Audi R8 LMS 1:02:41.195 26 1:00.481 2
23 9 GT3 Mayr-Melnhof/Matzke BMW Alpina B6 GT3 49:05.795 22 12:34.919 6
24 16 GT3 Lambotte/Parisy Corvette Z06R GT3 49:19.216 22 12:21.498 6
25 87 GT3 Petrobelli/Alessi Ferrari 430 Scuderia 46:58.045 21 14:42.669 7
26 12 GT3 Häring/Estre Porsche 911 GT3 R 26:04.561 12 35:36.153 16
27 24 GT3 von Thurn und Taxis/Sanna Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 13:24.372 6 48:16.342 22

Both series continue at Brno on the 23rd of May.

Photo/Editorial: Jake Yorath

VIDEO // HULKENBERG TESTS 911 GT3 R HYBRID @ THE RING

In an effort to shake out the bugs in their new eco-friendly race car, Porsche allowed AT&T Williams Formula 1 pilot, Nico Hülkenberg, to drive the 911 GT3 R Hybrid around the famed Nürburgring Nordschleife ahead of the third round of the VLN Long Distance Championship... [read more]

"This test was great fun. I'm impressed with how well the hybrid system works in the Porsche," said Hülkenberg, who was allowed to test the new 911 GT3 R Hybrid ahead of its racing debut at next months Nürburgring 24 hour race.

"Great car, fascinating technology and an incomparable track. Surprisingly, in the slow corners, the 911 is not far off a Formula 1 car. The mechanical grip is impressive." said Hülkenberg following three laps around the Nordschleife.



So why does Hülkenberg have the privilege of testing Porsche's latest and greatest you ask? Well, as it turns out, one of the components of the hybrid system, the flywheel generator which is installed inside the cockpit, was both designed and manufactured by Williams Hybrid Power. So I suppose it makes sense that Porsche would allow the young German a few laps around the Nordschleife, right?

Image and Info: Porsche
Editorial: Justin W. Coffey

NEWS // MUSTANG TO RACE IN FIA GT3 CHAMPIONSHIP

Canadian racing garage, Multimatic, has just finished preparing a 2010 Ford Mustang for Marc VDS Racing. The team, who also have a pair of Ford GTs entered into this years GT1 Championship, will race their competition-spec Ford Mustang in the FIA GT3 European Championship, where it will compete against the likes of Porsche, Alpina and Mercedes. The car has already undergone testing at Ford's Bedfordshire test facility and will be piloted by a team of Belgian and Canadian drivers when the GT3 season kicks off on Sunday, May 2nd at the Silverstone Circuit in the UK.

Follow the link for additional images... [read more]






Images and Info: Autoblog
Editorial: Justin W. Coffey

PORSCHE PROMO VIDEO(S) // 911 GT3 R HYBRID & 918 SPYDER

Last week Porsche released a pair of promo videos for two of their hybrid vehicles, the 911 GT3 R Hybrid and the 918 Spyder concept. Offering a closer look at the technology that drives the new Porsches, the videos, although a bit overdramatic, are certainly inspiring... [read more]





Image and Video: Porsche
Editorial: Justin W. Coffey