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Latest Photos: Porsche Free Practice World Endurance Championship, rd 1 in Silverstone, Great Britain
Communication Porsche AG
Race debut of the new Porsche 911 RSR, World Endurance Championship, rd 1 in Silverstone, Great Britain
World Endurance Championship, round 1 in Silverstone, Great Britain
Joerg Bergmeister, Porsche 911 RSR, Porsche AG Team Manthey
Stuttgart. At the six hour race on the Silverstone Circuit, which signals the start of the 2013 World Endurance Championship (WEC) season on 14th April, the Porsche 911 RSR celebrates its race debut. Running the campaign on the storied 5.981 kilometre circuit in the British Midlands is the Porsche AG Team Manthey works team with Olaf Manthey at the helm.
Joerg Bergmeister, Porsche 911 RSR, Porsche AG Team Manthey
The Porsche drivers
Porsche works drivers Joerg Bergmeister (Germany), Patrick Pilet (France) and Timo Bernhard (Germany) take up the GTE-Pro class in the 911 RSR with starting number 91.
Porsche 911 RSR , Porsche AG Team Manthey: Joerg Bergmeister, Timo Bernhard, Patrick Pilet
Sharing driving duties in the cockpit of the number 92 vehicle are their factory driver colleagues Marc Lieb (Germany), Richard Lietz (Austria) and Romain Dumas (France).
Porsche 911 RSR, Porsche AG Team Manthey: Marc Lieb, Richard Lietz, Romain Dumas
Two customer teams tackle the GTE-Am class with last year’s Porsche 911 GT3 RSR: Driving the Proton Competition entry is Christian Ried (Germany) and his Italian teammates Paolo Ruberti and Gianluca Roda, with an all-French line-up of Raymond Narac, Christophe Bourret and Jean-Karl Vernay competing for IMSA Performance Matmut.
The Porsche 911 RSR
The Porsche 911 RSR delivers 460 hp and is based on the seventh generation of the iconic 911 sports car.
Timo Bernhard, Porsche 911 RSR, Porsche AG Team Manthey
As the successor to the winning 911 GT3 RSR, with which Porsche customers scored many victories and title wins since 2004, it is characterized by consequent lightweight design and sophisticated aerodynamics.
Porsche 911 RSR, Porsche AG Team Manthey: Marc Lieb, Richard Lietz, Romain Dumas
Joerg Bergmeister, Porsche 911 RSR, Porsche AG Team Manthey
The look of the new 911 RSR is dominated by the flared mudguards and the deep cooling air intakes at the front. The exceptional vehicle styling honours the anniversary “50 years of the 911”.
Timo Bernhard, Porsche 911 RSR, Porsche AG Team Manthey
The schedule
The six hour race takes off on Sunday, 14 April, at midday local time (13.00 hrs CET). Eurosport 2 televises the start of the race live at 13.00 hours (30 minutes) and returns to a live broadcast at 15.00 hours (30 minutes). The final hour is aired live from 18.00 hours on Eurosport 1. The race can be viewed live on the internet under http://www.fiawec.com.
Comments before the race
Hartmut Kristen, Head of Porsche Motorsport: “The whole team is ready and raring to tackle the first race with the 911 RSR. Our squad has worked extremely hard over the last months to make our new car competitive right from the start.”
Jörg Bergmeister
Joerg Bergmeister (# 91): “I’m looking forward to my premiere in the WEC – in the most beautiful and spectacular 911 ever.”
Patrick Pilet
Patrick Pilet (# 91): “To share the cockpit with such successful Porsche pilots like Joerg and Timo is a great and exciting challenge.”
Timo Bernhard
Timo Bernhard (# 91): “I felt great at the tests in the 911 RSR. We have a good chance to win our class with this car.”
Marc Lieb
Marc Lieb (# 92): “The new 911 RSR is a significant step forward. I hope that the good test results can be confirmed at the first race.”
Richard Lietz
Richard Lietz (# 92): “We face very strong opposition from the works teams from Ferrari and Aston Martin. In Silverstone we’ll see where we stand.”
Romain Dumas
Romain Dumas (# 92): “I’m looking forward to racing the new 911 RSR with Marc and Richard and I’m confident that we’ll make a good start into the season.”
In the World Endurance Championship, sports prototypes and GT vehicles start in four different classes: LMGTE-Pro, LMGTE-Am, LMP1 and LMP2. They all compete together in one race but are classified separately.
SOURCE: World Endurance Championship Porsche Media Database
Communication Porsche AG
Motorsport Press
Porsche Juniors 2013: The most intensive youth development ever
Stuttgart. Never before has Porsche supported so many young drivers at one time. Four Porsche Juniors will tackle Porsche’s brand trophy series in 2013.
Now that they have chosen the teams with which they will compete, the four talented young racers enter the critical phase of preparation for the 2013 season.
Austria’s Klaus Bachler (21) contests the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, which starts on 12 May in Barcelona, with FÖRCH Racing.
Klaus Bachler (A), Porsche Junior
Michael Christensen (22) from Denmark drives for the new French Supercup team DAMS, last year’s champions of the GP2 Series.
Michael Christensen, Porsche Junior
In the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland which kicks off in Hockenheim on 4 May, Spaniard Alex Riberas Bou (19) competes for Attempto Racing,
Alex Riberas Bou (ESP), Porsche Junior
with American Connor de Phillippi (20) driving for FÖRCH Racing by Lukas Motorsport.
Connor de Phillippi (USA), Porsche Junior
For Klaus Bachler and Michael Christensen, 2013 marks their second year as Porsche Juniors. Last year the pair contested the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland and promptly demonstrated their ability: Michael Christensen celebrated his first victory at the season final in Hockenheim, whilst Klaus Bachler scored a podium spot at his home race on the Red Bull Ring. In the international Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup run as support for the Formula 1 races they are now eager to forge ahead with their successes.
Hartmut Kristen, Head of Porsche Motorsport
Porsche’s Head of Motorsport Hartmut Kristen is convinced that they will succeed in this with the new 460 hp Porsche 911 GT3 Cup that was developed parallel to the recently presented 911 GT3 at the Geneva Motor Show. “They have huge potential and are following the path that we had in mind for our junior support programme.”
As a thank you for their strong performance in the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland, the juniors are not only promoted to the top series of Porsche’s brand championships. With support from Porsche, they also contested the famed 24 Hours at Daytona/Florida in January which proved to be not just a fantastic new experience for the pair but also gave them an added motivation.
“This is a big vote of confidence from Porsche. I will again work hard to live up to these expectations,” says Michael Christensen. And for Klaus Bachler, “it’s a dream come true. I’ve learned a great deal in the Carrera Cup and I’m now looking forward to using what I have learned in the Supercup.”
The duo joined the Porsche works drivers at a training camp in Tenerife to build up the fitness levels required for the demands of a long racing season.
Alex Riberas Bou and Connor de Phillippi tackle their first season as Porsche Juniors. In a tough, two-tiered selection process where factors like fitness, mental strength and technical understanding as well working with engineers, and simulated qualifying laps were taken into account, in Potsdam and Vallelunga the two outshone other talented youngsters from all over the world.
“I’m very proud to be chosen by Porsche, especially when I see how the careers of many successful Porsche works drivers began as junior drivers,” says Alex Riberas Bou.
Connor de Phillippi, who like Alex Riberas Bou has driven single-seaters until now, is looking forward to getting behind the wheel of last year’s spec Porsche 911 GT3 Cup.
“It’ll undoubtedly be a huge challenge.”
Porsche takes on a large proportion of the four juniors’ budget for the season and also assigns them Sascha Maassen as a junior coach. The successful professional racer from Germany won the American Le Mans Series three times with sports prototypes and GT race cars and celebrated class victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Sebring 12 hour race. Moreover, he has a great deal of experience as a talent scout, coach and driving instructor.
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup and the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland
Source: Porsche AG Media Database
Communication Porsche AG
Motorsport Press
American Le Mans, Falken Porsche, Henzler, Tandy, Sellers Third in GT at 12 Hours of Sebring
Wolf Henzler, Nick Tandy, Bryan Sellers (r – l)
American Le Mans Series, round in Sebring, Florida USA
Stuttgart. At the wheel of the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR fielded by the Falken Tire squad, Porsche works driver Wolf Henzler (Germany) and his teammate Bryan Sellers (USA) and works driver Nick Tandy (GB) finished the opening round of the American Le Mans Series season on the GT podium in third place.
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Team Falken Tire: Wolf Henzler, Nick Tandy, Bryan Sellers
With this result, they were the best of the Porsche pilots on the bumpy 17-turn Sebring circuit which hosts America’s oldest endurance race.
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Team Falken Tire: Wolf Henzler, Nick Tandy, Bryan Sellers
The team qualified in 12th place in class, but Henzler timed his acceleration at the green flag perfectly, scooting to sixth place in the 500 meters between the start line and turn one. Then, with perfect pit stops and some great driving in traffic from all three racers, the customer Porsche entry outran and outlasted factory teams from Corvette, BMW, SRT Viper and Aston Martin.
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Team Falken Tire: Wolf Henzler, Nick Tandy, Bryan Sellers
“When the week began, I wouldn’t have thought we had a chance to make it on the podium as we didn’t have the speed of the others. Our Porsche was consistent, with the engine, brakes and handling all perfect, and we made up positions one at a time until we moved into the top three.
We are very satisfied with third place. We tested several times here, and that certainly helped, but we have more work to do for the season. One of the secrets to our success today was the fast and consistent driving of my colleagues Bryan and Nick,” said Henzler, the 2008 ALMS co-champion.
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Paul Miller Racing: Marco Holzer, Richard Lietz, Bryce Miller
The other Porsche customer team in the GT class was the Paul Miller Racing orsche 911 GT3 RSR, with factory drivers Richard Lietz (AUS) and Marco Holzer (GER) joining Bryce Miller (USA), finished in sixth place. Holzer, who will drive this car all season with Miller, was pleased with the performance of his Porsche for the last half of the race
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Paul Miller Racing: Marco Holzer, Richard Lietz, Bryce Miller
“This was not an easy race for us as our setup in the beginning needed modification, but we picked up our pace and made up four positions in the second half to give Paul Miller Racing its best Sebring finish ever.
Bryce and Richard drove great, and a sixth position gives us valuable points for the season,” said Holzer.
In the GTC class for matched Porsche 911 GT3 Cup race cars, no less than seven cars led the class during the 12-hour race, with the #66 TRG Porsche with Damien Faulkner (IRL) in the lead late in the race when an air gun failure during a tire change allowed the #22 Alex Job Racing Porsche being driven by Jeroen Bleekemolen (NL) to take the lead with 90 minutes remaining.
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, Alex Job Racing: Jeroen Bleekemolen, Cooper MacNeil, Dion von Moltke
Bleekemolen, former Porsche Mobil1 Supercup champion, who shared the driving duties with Cooper MacNeil and Dion von Moltke (both USA), then took the car to the checkered flag to win the class.
Round two of the American Le Mans Series takes place on 20 April on the street circuit in Long Beach, California USA.
Result
GT class
1. Milner/Gavin/Westbrook (USA/GB/GB), Chevrolet Corvette, 333 laps
2. Bruni/Beretta/Malucelli (ITA/MC/ITA), Ferrari F458 Italia, 333
3. Henzler/Sellers/Tandy (GER/USA/GB), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 332
4. J.Mueller/Martin/Auberlen (MC/BEL/USA), BMW Z4, 330
5. Farnbacher/Goossens/Dalziel (GER/BEL/USA), SRT Viper, 329
6. Holzer/Miller/Lietz (GER/USA/AUS), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 329
7. D.Mueller/Hand/Edwards BMW Z4 (CH/USA/USA), BMW Z4, 321
8. Senna/Muecke/Turner (BRA/GER/GB), Aston Martin Vantage V8, 318
9. Lamy/Della Lana/Johnson (POR/CAN/USA), Aston Martin Vantage V8, 309
10. Kendall/Wittmer/Bomerito (USA/CAN/USA), SRT Viper, 303
GTC class
1. Bleekemolen/MacNeil/von Moltke (NL/USA/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, 315 laps
2. Pumpelly/Wong/Canache, Jr. (USA/USA/VEN), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, 315
3. Edwards/Cisneros/Seefried (GB/USA/GER), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, 314
Points’ standings
GT class
Driver
1. Oliver Gavin, Tommy Milner, Richard Westbrook, Chevrolet, 24 points
2. Gianmaria Bruni, Olivier Beretta, Matteo Malucelli, Ferrari, 20
3. Wolf Henzler, Bryan Sellers, Nick Tandy, Porsche, 17
4. Joerg Mueller, Maxime Martin, Bill Auberlen, BMW, 14
5. Ryan Dalziel, Marc Goossens, Dominik Farnbacher, SRT Viper, 12
6. Richard Lietz, Marco Holzer, Bryce Miller, Porsche, 10
7. Joey Hand, Dirk Müller, John Edwards, BMW, 7
8. Darren Turner, Stefan Muecke, Bruno Senna, Aston Martin Vantage V8, 7
9. Jonathan Bomarito, Tommy Kendall, Kuno Wittmer, SRT Viper, 6
10. Pedro Lamy, Paul Della Lena, Billy Johnson, Aston Martin Vantage V8, 5
Manufacturers – GT
1. Chevrolet, 24
2. Ferrari, 20
3. Porsche, 17
4. BMW, 14
5. SRT Viper, 12
Teams – GT
1. Corvette Racing, Chevrolet, 24
2. RISI, Ferrari, 20
3. Team Falken Tire, Porsche, 17
4. Rahal RLL, BMW, 14
The American Le Mans Series
The American Le Mans Series (ALMS) was created in 1999 for sports prototypes and GT vehicles. The field is divided into five classes that start together but are classified separately:
GT class: This most popular class amongst car manufacturers traditionally receives the most support: Slightly modified standard sports cars with 440 to 500 hp and a minimum weight of 1,245 kilograms (e.g. Porsche 911 GT3 RSR).
GTC class: This class is reserved for vehicles from one-make race series like the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup.
LMP1 class: Sports prototypes with up to 550 hp and a minimum weight of 900 kilograms.
LMP2 class: Sports prototypes with ca. 440 hp and a 900 kg minimum weight.
LMPC class: Prototype brand trophy series for the ORECA FLM 09.
SOURCE: American Le Mans Series Porsche AG Media Database
Communication Porsche AG, Motorsport Press
Porsche 911 GT3 R – Extensive changes for the 2013 season
Stuttgart. The new Porsche 911 GT3 R based on the 997 model generation heads into the 2013 motorsport season with extensive modifications. With its widened fender flares front and rear, the successful customer sport racer, fielded in the GT3 classes, looks considerably brawnier than its predecessor.
Porsche 911 GT3 R
The new aerodynamics generates substantially more downforce, allowing for higher cornering speeds and later braking points. The wider track and the adapted wheels provide additional improvement in traction.
Ever since its launch in 2010, customer teams around the world have gone from success to success with the 911 GT3 R. In 2012 alone, Porsche customer teams raced the 500 hp production-based Grand Touring race car in 131 races, won 41 of them and clinched numerous championships.
Porsche 911 GT3 R
For 2013, Porsche Motorsport significantly modified the aerodynamics. The front bumper panels, all fenders, the sill covers, the rear panel and underbody with rear diffuser received further fine-tuning in the wind tunnel.
Porsche 911 GT3 R
The rear wing was enlarged to the width of the vehicle and repositioned to work optimally with the redesigned body.
The suspension also underwent modifications. The track of both the front and rear axle grew by 50 millimetres. The width of the front rims is now twelve instead of 10.9 inches. The wheelbase of the latest 911 GT3 R grew by ten millimetres.
Like its predecessor, the highly efficient four-litre, six-cylinder flat engine has an out-put of 368 kW (500 hp). The Porsche six-speed sequential dog-type gearbox with pneumatic shift system is operated via shift paddles on the steering wheel. This technical solution allows very fast and smooth gear changes – an advantage when it comes to high operational safety and a long service life.
An array of electronic driver assistance systems adopted from the predecessor helps turn fast and safe laps.
The E-gas features a throttle-blip function. The gearbox elec-tronics make skipping gears and the resulting over revving of the engine virtually impossible. Thanks to a specially-adjusted traction control and a race ABS, the 911 GT3 R can be very well controlled under braking and acceleration.
With a conversion kit offered by Porsche, customer teams can convert older model years of the 911 GT3 R to the 2013-spec.
The kit is available from Porsche Motor-sport at the price of 45,500 Euros plus country-specific value added tax.
SOURCE: Porsche AG Media Database
Communication Porsche AG
Motorsport Press
VIDEO: Porsche in Geneva 2013, Designing a new 911 GT3
In this video, Michael Mauer explains the philosophy that went into the creation of the new 911 GT3. Follow all the news from Geneva here: http://www.porsche.com/geneva
Porsche celebrates the 50th anniversary of the 911 with a new GT3, World premiere at the International Motor Show in Geneva
Porsche celebrates the 50th anniversary of the 911 with a new GT3
Stuttgart. The sportiest 911 will have its world premiere at the Geneva International Motor Show: the new Porsche 911 GT3. In the 50th anniversary year of the 911, Porsche is now set to open a new chapter in race track performance sports cars. The fifth generation of the 911 GT3, a complete new development, will take the pole position among the thoroughbred Porsche sports cars with naturally aspirated engines.
Boxer engine and transmission, as well as body and chassis are completely new and constitute a further development of the 911 GT3 concept with an impressive performance leap. Power: 475 hp. Power to weight ratio: 3.0 kg/hp. Acceleration from zero to 100 km/h: in 3.5 seconds. Top speed: 315 km/h.
Lap time Nürburgring Nordschleife: under 7:30 minutes. As a technical highlight, it features the first active rear wheel steering in a production Porsche. As well as the optional full LED headlights. The new 911 GT3 keeps all the successful properties of a sports car suitable for racing, with even more driving dynamics, more sophisticated practicality – and a highly emotional fun factor.
The powertrain of the new 911 GT3 is composed of a 3.8-liter boxer engine yielding 475 hp (350 kW) at 8.250 rpm, a Porsche dual-clutch transmission (PDK) and a high-traction rear-wheel drive. The six-cylinder engine is based on the same engine as the 911 Carrera S, although they share only few common parts.
All other components, particularly the crankshaft and valve gear, were specially adapted or designed for the GT3. For instance, Porsche designed titanium connecting rods and forged pistons. The basic modifications set the stage for an extremely high-speed engine that reaches up to 9.000 rpm. The Porsche dual-clutch transmission was also specially developed; the characteristics are directly based on a sequential gearbox from motor racing, thereby providing further performance and dynamics advantages to the driver.
For the first time, Porsche is using active rear wheel steering in order to achieve even higher precision and lateral dynamics. Depending on the speed, it steers in the same or opposite direction of the front wheels, improving stability and agility.
Other new modules improving driving dynamics are the electronically controlled, fully variable rear differential lock, and the dynamic engine mounts. The newly developed all-aluminium chassis can still be adjusted by height, toe and camber. Contact with the road is made by the new 20-inch forged alloy wheels with central locking.
The 911 GT3 is based on the light, yet stuff body of the current generation 911 Carrera in hybrid steel-aluminium construction, however, it comes with independent front and rear parts. In addition, the 911 GT3 is 44 millimetres wider than a 911 Carrera S in the area of the rear axle. Another clear recognition feature is again the large, fixed rear wing. This makes a decisive contribution to the exemplary aerodynamics of the new 911 GT3, which combines low air resistance with even more power.
As a result, the new 911 GT3 sets new performance records. At full acceleration from standstill, the 100 km/h mark is breached after 3.5 seconds, and 200 km/h are reached in less than twelve seconds. The top speed is 315 km/h in the seventh, top gear of the completely newly adapted PDK transmission. The lap time on the Nürburgring Nordschleife, which the new 911 GT3 manages in under 7:30 minutes, is even more impressive.
The new Porsche 911 GT3 will be launched on the market from August 2013 on, and will cost in Germany 137,303 Euro including VAT and national specifications.
SOURCE: PORSCHE AG MEDIA DATABASE
Product and Technology Communication
Product Communication
Related articles
- Porsche at the International Motor Show in Geneva, Sporty premieres in the 911 anniversary year (dedeporsche.com)
- Porsche celebrates the 50th anniversary of the 911 with a new GT3, World premiere at the International Motor Show in Geneva (dedeporsche.com)
Porsche at the International Motor Show in Geneva, Sporty premieres in the 911 anniversary year
Stuttgart. Porsche AG has not only begun the year particularly successful, but 2013 also marks the anniversary of the company’s most iconic car: the Porsche 911 has for the last 50 years been equally at home on the racetrack as on the road. Its genetic DNA can be found in every other Porsche model.
At over 820,000 units built, the 911 is the world’s most successful sports car ever.
In addition to the anniversary, the International Motor Show in Geneva also provides a stage for two particularly sporty premieres on the Porsche stand in hall 1. The press conference on the stand takes place on March 5 at 10.45 CET.
The title ‘World Premiere’ truly applies here to the first appearance of an extremely exciting 911 model, which awaits with new engineering highlights, plus a whole lot more. The car’s driving dynamics and driving excitement are at an even higher level than before.
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
For the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup this will be its first public unveiling. Delivering 460 hp, this single-make cup racer is the latest version of the car, which is, with a total of 2,400 units, the best-selling and most successful sports car in the world.
The new 911 GT3 Cup is initially being deployed in the international Porsche Supercup 2013.
SOURCE: Porsche AG Media Database
Product and Technology Communication
Product Communication
New Porsche 911 RSR successfully concludes test drives – Season preparations on the finish straight
Test drive Porsche 911 RSR
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Stuttgart. The development of the new Porsche 911 RSR based on the current generation 991 model is nearly complete. On the Sebring International Raceway in Florida/USA the GTE race car from Weissach completed another successful test on Thursday.
The successor to the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR will be run exclusively by the Porsche AG Team Manthey works squad at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and in the World Endurance Championship (WEC).The vehicle celebrates its race debut on April 14 at the WEC season-opener in Silverstone.
Sharing driving duties at Sebring were Porsche works drivers Richard Lietz (Austria) and Patrick Pilet (France). Lietz contests the WEC including Le Mans with Marc Lieb (Germany) at the wheel of the 911 RSR with the starting number 92. Patrick Pilet joins forces with Joerg Bergmeister (Germany) in the number 91 vehicle.
At the first two WEC rounds in Silverstone and Spa-Francorchamps as well as at Le Mans, they receive backup from their factory pilot colleagues Romain Dumas (France/No. 92) and Timo Bernhard (Germany/No.91).
“We are very pleased with how the testing has gone so far,” said Porsche’s Head of Motorsport Hartmut Kristen. “Our goal is to be well prepared for the challenges of the very strong GTE class in the WEC and at Le Mans. The circuit in Sebring is very well suited to put a new vehicle through some demanding trials.
For this reason, a test in Sebring is a very good rehearsal for one of the toughest races of all, the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Until the season kicks off in Silverstone, we will conduct some final tests on other race tracks so that our new 911 RSR is well and truly ready for the World Endurance Championship season.”
SOURCE: Porsche AG Media Database
Communication Porsche AG
Motorsport Press
Le Mans 24 Hours / World Endurance Championship – Confirmed Porsche entry for Le Mans
24h Le Mans
Organizer confirms Porsche entry for Le Mans
Stuttgart. Porsche AG fields two new 911 RSR based on the 991 model generation at this year’s Le Mans 24 Hours and in the World Endurance Championship.
Entry for the newly developed vehicles sporting the starting numbers 91 and 92 was confirmed for the GTE class by the organisers ACO and FIA today in Paris.
The factory squad “Porsche AG Team Manthey” will run both 911 RSR race cars.
Contesting the event in the #92 Porsche 911 RSR are Porsche works drivers Marc Lieb (Germany) and Richard Lietz (Austria).
Marc Lieb
Richard Lietz
The pair has already shared a cockpit in last year’s WEC. At the first two rounds of the season in Silverstone (14 April) and Spa (4 May) as well as at the Le Mans 24 hour race (22 June) they will receive reinforcement from their works driver colleague Romain Dumas (France).
Works drivers also pilot the number 91 sister car: Joerg Bergmeister (Germany) teams up with Patrick Pilet (France). In Silverstone, Spa and Le Mans the duo are joined by Timo Bernhard (Germany).
Jörg Bergmeister
Patrick Pilet
Timo Bernhard
Additionally, the customer teams IMSA Performance Matmut and Felbermayr Proton have received a starting place in the WEC and at Le Mans, fielding the predecessor model Porsche 911 GT3 RSR in the GTE-Am category.
At the wheel of the IMSA Matmut 911, Raymond Narac (France) shares driving duties with Jean-Karl Vernay (France) who contests the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup with backing from Porsche AG this year. Vernay is the reigning champion of the Porsche Carrera Cup France.
Jean-Karl Vernay
The customer team Dempsey Racing-Proton is also delighted with its acceptance to contest the Le Mans 24 Hours.
Patrick Dempsey
Hollywood star Patrick Dempsey, who is known especially for his role as “McDreamy” in the hit television series Grey’s Anatomy, already contested the Le Mans race in 2009 and now climbs back into the cockpit.
Patrick Dempsey
ALMS LAGUNA SECA 2012.USAGE: Dempsey Racing web site and press material only..Photo: ©2012 Rick Dole.904.806.0362.radole@earthlink.net
“We are very much looking forward to returning to Le Mans with a works team from Porsche for the first time since 1998,” says Porsche Head of Motorsport, Hartmut Kristen.
Hartmut Kristen, Head of Porsche Motorsport
“The new 911 RSR performed well in earlier tests and is already proving extremely reliable on the track. Between them, our six pilots have scored eight class wins in Le Mans and have a great deal of experience with different 911 race cars.
And our customer teams in the GTE-Am class are also well prepared for the 2013 season.”
SOURCE: Porsche Motorsport - Porsche AG Media Press Database
Communication Porsche AG
Motorsport Press
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- Porsche Gt3 Cup Challenge Comes to the Benelux 2013 (dedeporsche.com)
- Nick Tandy wins Porsche Cup as the best private driver in the world (dedeporsche.wordpress.com)
- Video: Best Porsche finishes fifth in the fuel gamble at Daytona 24 hour (dedeporsche.com)
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Video: Best Porsche finishes fifth in the fuel gamble at Daytona 24 hour
Daytona 24 Hours
Stuttgart. The sprint to the finish of the Daytona 24 hour race turned into a gripping game of fuel poker in the fiercely contested GT class.
(l.-r.): Nick Tandy, Marco Holzer, Patrick Pilet, Romain Dumas, Patrick Long, Jörg Bergmeister, Michael Christensen, Richard Lietz, Klaus Bachler, Marc Lieb
In the last laps, the teams put all their eggs in one basket with their strategies, waived an additional time-consuming fuel stop so that they had a winning chance at the prestigious sports car classic in Florida.
Richard Lietz
For Porsche works driver Richard Lietz this did not work out: Last year’s winner from Austria, who had held the lead position over long stretches in the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup and was on course for a podium result in the final laps, had to save fuel and was hence unable to utilize the full potential of the car.
(l.-r.): Richard Lietz, Nicolas Armindo, Andy Lally, John Potter
With his Magnus Racing teammates Nicolas Armindo (France), Andy Lally (USA) and John Potter (USA) he finally finished in fifth – ahead of his works driver colleague Marco Holzer (Germany) who shared driving duties in the Alex Job Racing Porsche 911 GT3 Cup with Jeroen Bleekemolen (Netherlands), Damien Faulkner (Ireland) and Cooper MacNeil (USA).
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, Magnus Racing: Richard Lietz, Nicolas Armindo, Andy Lally, John Potter
The six best placed of the 34 GT vehicles crossed the finish line inside one lap.
“As title defender we had anticipated a better result than fifth of course, still we can be satisfied with our performance,” said Richard Lietz. “Right up until fifteen minutes before the flag everything was running to plan, unfortunately our strategy didn’t quite work. But we didn’t have a choice.
We did everything we could but it wasn’t quite enough.” He led the field with his number 44 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup over a total of 43 laps – far more than any of his opponents. Marco Holzer said: “It was a tough race for us.
We managed the distance well despite some problems but had to ease off the throttle in the last laps to save fuel. We took the gamble and didn’t want to refuel at the end. Sadly this plan didn’t quite succeed.”
Daytona 24 Hours
“That was certainly one of the most exciting 24 hour races,” said Hartmut Kristen, Head of Porsche Motorsport.
“Our customer teams were right up there in the fight for victory. Last year we came home with a triple victory, this time others climbed the podium.”
The first leader on the Daytona International Speedway was Nick Tandy.
Nick Tandy
At his debut race as a Porsche works driver, the Briton from Konrad Motorsport/Orbit snatched the lead from pole position. His perfect start, however, was not a good omen: After about eight laps and many incidents, he had to park his Porsche 911 GT3 Cup trackside with suspension damage.
Michael Christensen
This also proved to be a bitter experience for his teammate Michael Christensen, the Porsche junior from Denmark who contested his first ever 24 hour race.
Klaus Bachler
For the second Porsche junior, however, Daytona yielded success: Austria’s Klaus Bachler, who contests the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup this year with Michael Christensen, finished eleventh in the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup fielded by Snow Racing/Wright Motorsports after putting in a commendable performance.
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, Snow Racing/Wright Motorsports: Madison Snow, Melanie Snow, Sascha Maassen Marco Seefried, Klaus Bachler
“We had a few problems during the night but all in all everything went well,” he commented. “That was my first 24 hour race and I learned a great deal.”
At the wheel of his Porsche Cayman, the 2009 overall winner from America David Donohue won the GX class with his compatriots Nelson Canache, Shane Lewis and Jim Norman.
With this, he earned Porsche, the most successful manufacturer in the history of the race, the 75th class victory in Daytona.
(l.-r.): Richard Lietz, Klaus Bachler, Nick Tandy, Marco Holzer, Patrick Pilet, Patrick Long, Michael Christensen, Romain Dumas, Marc Lieb, Jörg Bergmeister
Race result
GT class
1. Albuquerque/Jarvis/Mortara/von Moltke (MEX/GB/MEX/USA), Audi R8, 678 laps
2. Bass/Basseng/Rast/Stippler (USA/D/D/D), Audi R8, 678
3. Wilkens/Assentato/Cosmo/Lazzaro (USA/USA/USA/USA), Ferrari 458, 678
4. Balzan/Frezza/Pier Guidi (I/I/I/), Ferrari 458, 678
5. Lietz/Lally/Armindo/Potter (A/USA/F/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, 678
6. Holzer/Bleekemolen/Faulkner/MacNeil (D/NL/IRL/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, 678
10. Farnbacher/Baldwin/Burtin/Ragginger/Renauer (D/USA/USA/A/D), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, 671
11. Bachler/Maassen/Seefried/Snow/Snow (A/D/D/USA/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, 668
13. Lieb/Sellers/Davis/Keen (D/USA/USA/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, 663
GX class
1. Donohue/Canache/Lewis/Norman (USA/USA/USA/USA), Porsche Cayman, 635 laps
SOURCE: 24 Hours at Daytona Porsche AG Media Database Communication Porsche AG Motorsport Press
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- Follow Porsche at 24 Hour Daytona 2013 – Why Everyone Wants to Win (dedeporsche.com)
- PORSCHE: First Mother-Son Duo Enter Rolex 24 – Wright Motorsports and Snow Racing Combine Forces for Strong Entry at Daytona (dedeporsche.com)
- #porsche Launches “Daytona Live”, Follow #rolex24 Updates This Weekend (dedeporsche.com)
#PORSCHE LAUNCHES “DAYTONA LIVE”, FOLLOW #ROLEX24 UPDATES THIS WEEKEND
During this year’s Rolex 24 At Daytona Porsche will launch Daytona Live, an exciting online destination for following race updates.
Porsche at 24 Hours of Daytona
Daytona Live will capture behind-the-scenes stories from drivers and race teams as well as the conversations from fans at home and at the track as well.
For a chance to have your posts displayed on Daytona Live, include hashtags #Rolex24, #Porsche, or @Porsche when posting to Twitter or Instagram.
The best Tweets, pictures and videos from drivers, fans and the Porsche Motorsport teams will be compiled into one stream at www.porsche.com/daytona so that fans can easily view race updates from any web-enabled device.
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RACE DATE/TIME:Saturday, January 26, 2013 3:30 PM
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DURATION:24 Hours 0 Minutes
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BROADCAST INFO:
- January 26, 3:00PM ET,
- January 27, 9:00AM ET, SPEED
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ENTRIES BY CLASS:
- (17)
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Grand Touring (36)
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GX (6)
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ENTRY LIST >>> here
Source: Porsche
Paraplegic racing driver Matt Speakman will fulfill his dream Porsche competition 2013 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia
SPEAKMAN READY FOR ‘MOST AMBITIOUS’ CHALLENGE YET
An inspirational victory: Paraplegic racing driver Matt Speakman will fulfill his dream of Porsche competition this year when lining up in the 2013 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli series.
Also,you can get the latest updates and find Matt Speakman on his Facebook Page at Speakman Racing
In joining GT3 Cup Challenge, Speakman will become the first paraplegic driver to ever compete in a Porsche one-make series worldwide. 
Paralyzed 19 years ago when hit by a drunk driver while riding his motorcycle, Speakman’s dream of a motorsport career was seemingly shattered after having signed a deal to compete in the 1993 Australian 600 Super Sport Championship.
Two decades on and countless challenges later, Speakman will finally return to national-level competition with Queensland-based team McElrea Racing, who has fitted Speakman’s Porsche 911 race car with modified hand controls. 
Speakman is excited about the prospects of racing in GT3 Cup Challenge and has plans to compete in Australia’s premier one-make sports car category, Porsche Carrera Cup Australia, in the 2014 season.
“My entry into the 2013 GT3 Cup Challenge series has been 25 years in the making and I’m extremely excited,” said Speakman.“It has taken everything I have to gain this opportunity and now I’m seeking support from corporate Australia for this season and then Carrera Cup in 2014.
I guarantee an extremely strong on track performance and return to sponsors.“It has been incredibly frustrating sitting on the sidelines for the past 18 years knowing full well of my racing capabilities.
Now that I have broken down the barrier that stopped paraplegics being allowed on Australian race tracks I intend to really show that I deserve a career in Australian motorsport.”
McElrea Racing Team Manager, Andy McElrea, is pleased to add Speakman to his Queensland based race team.
“Matt commissioned McElrea Racing to improve on the original design of his hand controls. My team built a new system incorporating a combination of the best design aspects we had found in other disabled drivers’ race cars and then customised them to the Porsche GT3 Cup car,” said McElrea.
“Our team has always tried to do things a little differently and having Matt on board fits with this idea. We have three tests planned for this season before Round 1 at Mallala so we can’t wait to get into it.”
Porsche Cars Australia’s Motorsport Manager Jamey Blaikie welcomes Speakman to the championship and believes he won’t take long to become competitive in the one-make series.
“Matt has faced many challenges in his life and I suspect adapting to the Porsche GT3 Cup car will be a minor task in comparison. Matt has a competitive edge and if his determination is anything to go by I have no doubt he will be on the pace early in the season,” said Blaikie.
“GT3 Cup Challenge is known for its amazing atmosphere and great camaraderie between the drivers. Matt will be welcomed with open arms and fit in very well with our great group of racers.”
Since Speakman’s accident two decades ago the 45-year-old has competed in rounds of the NSW Rally Championship and Australian Rally Championship, and more recently after gaining approval to compete in circuit racing, Improved Production, where he won the 2012 six-round Queensland championship title in the 1600cc class. 
Speakman has also been a member of the Australian Paralympics Alpine Ski team, competed in the 1994 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race and now volunteers his time educating high school students about the Road Safety Education programme and is an ambassador of SpinalCure Australia.
Speakman’s first appearance in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli series will be at Mallala Motor Sport Park, South Australia, on April 20-21, 2013.
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Source: GT3 Cup Challenge Australia
PORSCHE: First Mother-Son Duo Enter Rolex 24 – Wright Motorsports and Snow Racing Combine Forces for Strong Entry at Daytona
First Mother-Son Duo Enter Rolex 24
;Grand-Am Rolex Series photos by Brian Cleary
Driver Line-up Includes Race’s First Mother-Son Duo
BATAVIA, Ohio, Jan. 12 — Wright Motorsports of Batavia, Ohio and Snow Racing of Pleasant Grove, Utah, have combined forces for a history-making entry in the 51st Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., Jan. 24-27.
The entry marks the first time a mother and son will compete in this storied race, as Melanie Snow and her 17-year-old son Madison are two of five drivers of the Wright Motorsports/Snow Racing Porsche GT3 Cup No. 62 sponsored by Universal Industrial Sales (UIS) and Bilstein Shocks. Headquartered in Lindon, Utah, UIS is among the largest suppliers of overhead sign structures and fabricated highway products in the country.
Melanie Snow
The other three drivers in the very strong line-up are Porsche veteran Sascha Maassen, 43, of Lontzen, Belgium; Porsche junior driver Klaus Bachler, 21, of Unzmarkt, Austria, who has been competing in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup; and top Porsche driver and instructor Marco Seefried of Wemding, Germany, 36. He’ll compete in two 24-hour races this month, as he is driving a Porsche 911 in the 24 Hours at Dubai Autodrome at press time.
Grand-Am Rolex Series photos by Brian Cleary
Wright Motorsports/Snow Racing’s white, red and black Porsche is currently one of 36 entries in the Grand Touring (GT) class for the Rolex 24.
Both Melanie and Madison Snow are making their first Rolex 24 starts, although they have extensive experience in other series. Along with her husband, Martin Snow, and another driver, Patrick Huisman, Melanie Snow was part of the winning GTS entry at the Twelve Hours of Sebring in 1999 in a Porsche 911 Turbo.
Madison and Melanie Snow Professional racing drivers
Photo source: autoblog.com
Madison Snow, of Lehi, Utah, started racing at the age of 4 in karts.
He finished second overall last year in the top class of the IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge by Yokohama with three victories in a car prepped by Wright Motorsports. When he clinched that series’ Gold Cup championship in 2011 when he was 15 he became the youngest Porsche one-make Cup champion in history.
Although he won’t be the youngest driver ever to compete in the Rolex 24, at press time he’s the youngest driver entered in this year’s race, according to Grand-Am officials.
Maassen has won the 24 Hours of Le Mans twice and both the Twelve Hours of Sebring and the Petit Le Mans four times. He was the ALMS GT champion twice and he has also won the ALMS LMP2 championship and the FIA GT championship. He is also an instructor for Porsche, and one of his students is Bachler.
All five drivers participated in the official test for the event Jan. 4-6 at Daytona, where they logged 279 laps around the 3.56-mile, 12-turn road course that also incorporates most of the oval. They were in the top five in half of the eight test sessions, they were only out of the top 10 once, and they topped the charts in Practice 3.
“There were 12 hours of testing available, and we put 11 hours on the car,” said Wright Motorsports owner John Wright, who is participating in this race for the 19th time. He has been on the podium at this event many times in various roles, most recently in 2009 when he was the team owner/manager of the car that finished third in the GT division. Maassen was one of the drivers in that effort.
“The car was strong; we were fast at the test,” Wright said. “All the drivers showed good pace; there isn’t a weak link in our driver line-up, and the team is gelling nicely.
“In addition to UIS and Bilstein, we’d like to thank Porsche Motorsports North America for all their help, especially the guys who work in the engine and parts departments, and the phenomenal track support that they supply,” Wright added. “Running a 24-hour race is a big undertaking, but they make it a lot easier.”
Wright also stressed that it’s a pleasure to work with Martin Snow. “He brings so much experience to the program,” Wright said. “I don’t have to explain how endurance racing works to him. We get right down to business. I hope together we can make this Rolex 24 a winning performance.”
Wright Motorsports is coming off a sensational season in which its drivers finished first, second and third in the driver point standings and it won the team championship and Rookie of the Year award in the IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge by Yokohama. The team won 11 of the 15 races and had 27 podium finishes and 12 poles in that series last year with a driver line-up that included both rookies and veterans, just like it will have at the Rolex 24.
“We enjoy combining veterans with rookies,” Wright noted. “We pride ourselves on our driver development program. It fits our business model well, and it’s a way for us to help mold the sport’s future.”
The No. 62 will be on the track for the first practice session of the event at 9 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 24. Another practice session at 1:15 that day precedes qualifying at 4:10 p.m. and a night practice session at 6 p.m. There is a final practice session at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 25 before the 24-hour enduro begins at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 26.
SPEED will provide live coverage of the Rolex 24 beginning at 3 p.m. Eastern time on Saturday, Jan. 26 and continuing at 9 a.m. Eastern time on Sunday, Jan. 27.
Live timing and scoring will be offered on the series’ website at grand-am.com. Additional information on Wright Motorsports can be found on the team’s website at wrightmotorsports.com, its Facebook page and through Twitter. Snow Racing’s website is at snow-ahead.com.
Driver pre-race quotes, in alphabetical order, follow:
Klaus Bachler:
“I am really looking forward to the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona. It is my first 24-hour race and my first race in the United States. Last week we had three good test days, and I think we will have a good car for the race. I feel good about the team and my teammates. Wright Motorsports is really professional. I can’t wait for the race!”
Porsche junior driver Klaus Bachler, 21, of Unzmarkt, Austria
Sascha Maassen:
“I am looking forward to the start of the 2013 racing season. John Wright and I have already had some success at the Rolex 24, finishing on the podium. And I’m also looking forward to working with the Snow family. I raced with Martin a few years ago at Daytona and I coached Melanie and Madison in 2011 at some IMSA Cup events. Another thing I’m looking forward to is racing with Klaus Bachler, the Porsche junior driver, whom I am normally coaching in Europe. Together with Marco Seefried, we have a very strong line-up.”
Porsche veteran Sascha Maassen, 43, of Lontzen, Belgium
Marco Seefried:
(Quote translated from his website, as he was racing in Dubai at press time): “The 24 Hours of Daytona is one of the world’s most important endurance races. The first time I drove at Daytona was during the test. We reeled off a comprehensive program with our Porsche 911 GT3 at the test. Our driver line-up is very balanced, which in a long-distance race is a great advantage. During the night practice I was able to set the third-fastest lap in the GT class. It was a great result against very strong competition. I’m happy to be racing after the long winter break, and I’m looking forward to competing at Daytona very much.”
Top Porsche driver and instructor Marco Seefried of Wemding, Germany, 36
Madison Snow:
“The test went much better than I expected. I had assumed we would have a few fast people, but I didn’t think that everyone on our team would be this fast.
“The thing that surprises me is how well we all get along together. After the sessions when we went over the car and how it felt, I was surprised that we all felt the same thing. I’ve heard stories of teams when drivers all have different styles and so it is hard to set up the car for everyone, but we all get along and drive so similarly that it makes it much easier.
“I can’t wait for the race because I know we have such a good driver line-up and that we can win the race. I feel like we are the best team there because we get along so well with each other — drivers and crew. That is the difference from us to everyone else out there. This race will be really good for all of us. It’s the first 24-hour race for my mom and me so I really hope we are able to come out on top together.”
Melanie Snow:
“Wow, what a fun test at Daytona! I am really excited to be racing there. This will be my first 24 Hours of Daytona race. Having been there many times before, supporting Martin, I know the feeling of excitement that is spread throughout the track. I was never able to race at Daytona before, as when I had other opportunities I was pregnant or had a baby with me.
Finally, I get to race it, and what makes it so special is that I get to race it with Madison. My first time at Daytona with Martin, Madison was with me and he was just 6 weeks old. Now he is racing it with me; how time flies!
“Sascha, Marco and Klaus are such a great asset to our team. We have a wonderful dynamic and work so well together. Wright Motorsports has prepared our UIS Porsche and they have done an amazing job. The car was flawless at the test and we had some really good times. Between our drivers and our hard-working crew we have the best team! I can’t wait to get back to the track and get the race started!”
About Wright Motorsports:
Wright Motorsports is the premier Porsche tuning facility in Ohio and a multi-series, international racing team known for superb car preparation, expert race strategy and driver development. Located in Batavia, near Cincinnati, it is owned and directed by John Wright, a certified Porsche factory-trained technician. As a crew chief Wright has played a key role in winning seven driver and six team championships in World Challenge, IMSA (ALMS) and the Grand-Am Rolex Series.
John Wright, owner & director of Wright Motorsports, a certified Porsche factory-trained technician
In 2013 Wright Motorsports will defend its 2012 driver and team championship and field multiple entries in the IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge; service its customers who compete in other series and club-racing events, and provide race car-quality preparation for its customers’ high-performance street cars. For more information see WrightMotorsports.com on the Internet and follow it on Facebook and Twitter.
Source: Restart Communications, Linda Mansfield and Wright Motorsports
PORSCHE GT3 CUP CHALLENGE COMES TO THE BENELUX 2013
All recent 911 GT3 Cup cars in one championship, six events in 2013
The 2013 racing season will bring the
Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge to the Benelux
An initiative of Prospeed Competition and GT3.nl, with the support of national importers.
GRÂCE-HOLLOGNE –The 2013 racing season will bring the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge to the Benelux. This Challenge is an officially supported Porsche racing platform for drivers, teams and fans in the Benelux market.
The Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Benelux is created in a joint effort with D’Ieteren Porsche Import (Belgium), Pon Porsche Import (The Netherlands) and the Luxembourg Porsche importer Autosdistribution Losch.
The Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Benelux will be the twentieth member of a family that encompasses the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup and various Porsche Carrera Cups and GT3 Cup Challenges representing the Porsche racing DNA throughout the world…
Leading the way will be the second generation of the 997-based 911 GT3 Cup car. This 450bhp race car, based on the road going 911 GT3 RS, will instantly make the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Benelux the fastest one-make Cup in the Benelux.
The Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Benelux will also welcome the first generation of the 997-based 911 GT3 Cup car and optionally the 996-based 911 GT3 Cup car, bringing together all recent generations of modern Porsche Cup racing in one championship.
The Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Benelux is will run several classes. The Pro-Class will see two people take the wheel of a car in the proven Pro-Am structure, joining gentleman drivers with (semi-) professional drivers, creating synergies for both.
In the Am- and Club-Class, running the first generation 997 Cup and the 996 Cup respectively, cars will be shared by two drivers as well, but only gentleman drivers are allowed.The Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Benelux is planning six events for its inaugural season and will race on all major circuits in Holland and Belgium.
The Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Benelux is created by ProSpeed Competition and GT3.nl, who have a longstanding relationship in racing and both have a background in Porsche dealership organisations. ProSpeed Competition and GT3.nl are partners of Porsche Motorsport.
The new Challenge is an excellent opportunity for commercial partners to support participating teams, connecting their brand to the strong values of Porsche and motorsport.
The Challenge will also become an inspiring and useful relationship-marketing platform, bringing the brand closer to prospects and customers through test drives and events around the Challenge.
Jean Heinen, Director D’Ieteren Porsche Import: -
“The return of Porsche to the top category of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2014 reaffirms the importance of motorsport for Porsche. At the same time 2013 will mark 50 years of the 911. It will be a good moment to celebrate the anniversary of this legendary car. As from next year the drivers of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Benelux will help us to communicate it even more thoroughly.”
Ray Uiterwaal, Managing DirectorPon Porsche Import: -
“Motorsport and Porsche have been inseparable since the very first car that was built, and today the racing heritage is still an essential part of the company and her cars.
With the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Benelux we now have our own official platform to bring the Porsche values to our customers and fans, showcasing the level of performance and engineering in our cars, both on and off the racetrack.”
Michael Dreiser, Manager international One-Make Series, Dr.Ing. H.c. F. Porsche AG: -
“The worldwide Porsche one-make series provide a stable platform for all involved parties: drivers, teams, sponsors and partners. We at Porsche Motorsport are delighted that this new GT3 Cup Challenge will take off in 2013 in the Benelux countries and would like to thank the ProSpeed Competition and GT3.nl for their commitment as well as D’Ieteren Porsche Import an Pon Porsche Import for their strong support. Let’s all look forward to thrilling races.”
Prospeed – photos Porsche
Prospeed Competition organizers and GT3.nl chose to cut monobrand’s fastest Benelux 450 hp of the 911 GT3 Cup Type 997 II. But first, the first generation 997 and 996 are also welcome to complete the grid. There will be three categories (Pro and Am Club, depending on the level of drivers and cars) and the schedule includes six races on circuits Belgian and Dutch.
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Pascal ROUARD B-4460 Grâce-Hollogne – Belgium |
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Benelux is a union of states comprising three neighbouring countries in northwestern Europe: Belgium, the Netherlands andLuxembourg. The union’s name is formed from joining the first two or three letters of each country’s name – Belgium Netherlands Luxembourg – and was first used to name the customs agreement that initiated the union (signed in 1944).[2] It is now used in a more general way to refer to the geographic, economic and cultural grouping of the three countries.
In 1951, these countries joined West Germany, France, and Italy to form the European Coal and Steel Community, the predecessor of theEuropean Economic Community (EEC) and today’s European Union (EU).
The main institutions of the Union are the Committee of Ministers, the Parliament, the Council of the Union, the Court of Justice, the Secretariat-General, the Organization for Intellectual Property.
The Benelux Secretary-General is located in Brussels. It is the central administrative pillar of the Benelux Economic Union. It handles the secretariat of the Committee of Ministers, the Council of Economic Union and the various committees and working parties. Moreover, it ensures the registry of the Benelux Court of Justice.
Nick Tandy wins Porsche Cup as the best private driver in the world
Nick Tandy Winner Porsche Cup, Dr. Wolfgang Porsche Chairman of the Supervisory Board
Stuttgart. After his first full season in international GT racing, Nick Tandy (28) from Great Britain can celebrate winning the Porsche Cup as the best private driver in the world.
On the occasion of the Night of Champions on 8 December in the R&D Centre at Weissach, Nick Tandy received the Porsche Cup from Dr. Wolfgang Porsche, the Chairman of the Supervisory Board at Porsche AG. Additionally, Tandy was awarded a new Porsche 911 Carrera S.
Tandy was awarded a new 911 Carrera S Coupé
During the past season the Briton scored a total of 7,510 points. Second-placed Raymond Narac is the recipient of 30,000 Euro, Paolo Ruberti’s third place comes with a purse of 25,000 Euro.
Nick Tandy (GB)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 09 Hockenheimring 2011
The Porsche Cup is endowed with a total value of 253,000 Euro. In the competition initiated by Ferry Porsche, drivers earned points in 18 Grand Touring and prototype race series worldwide as well as at selected long distance races. Professional race driver and part-time farmer Nick Tandy headed into 2012 as the reigning champion of the Carrera Cup Deutschland driving a Porsche 911 GT3 RSR run by the experienced Manthey Racing team in the International GT Open. Sharing the cockpit with works driver Marco Holzer, Tandy won five races.
In the ADAC GT Masters, Tandy competed for the Geyer & Weinig EDV – Schütz Motorsport squad at the wheel of a 911 GT3 R. Here, Tandy and his teammate Christian Engelhart scored four victories. For the Brit, the season concluded with seventh place in the drivers’ classification.
Tandy earned further points towards the Porsche Cup competing for Flying Lizard Motorsports and TRG in the ALMS.
2012 ALMS – Petit Le Mans
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Flying Lizard Motorsports: Marco Holzer, Seth Neiman, Nick Tandy
2012 ALMS – Petit Le Mans
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Flying Lizard Motorsports: Marco Holzer, Seth Neiman, Nick Tandy
In the British GT Championship, he manned the cockpit of a Team Motorbase fielded 911 GT3 R at selected rounds. After John Fitzpatrick (1972, 1974, 1980) and Tim Sugden (2005), Nick Tandy is the third Briton to be honoured with the Porsche Cup, which has been awarded by Porsche since 1970.
International GT Open, Barcelona, Marco Holzer (GER), Olaf Manthey (GER), Nick Tandy (GBR)
International GT Open, Barcelona, Nick Tandy (GBR)
International GT Open, Barcelona, Manthey-Racing, Marco Holzer (GER), Nick Tandy (GBR)
International GT Open, Barcelona, Manthey-Racing, Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Marco Holzer (GER), Nick Tandy (GBR)
With a margin of just 170 points, Frenchman Raymond Narac (45) finished the race for the Porsche Cup in second place. The founder and owner of the successful IMSA Performance Matmut team contested three major championships as team principal and driver.
International GT Open, Barcelona, IMSA Performance Matmut, Patrick Pilet (FRA), Raymond Narac (FRA)
In the European Le Mans Series, Narac defended the championship title in the GTE Am class driving a 911 GT3 RSR in last year’s spec.
International GT Open, Barcelona, Raymond Narac (FRA)
Joining forces with Porsche works driver Patrick Pilet, Narac periodically held the lead in the International GT Open driver’s standings and concluded the season in the hotly-contested championship in sixth. In the World Endurance Championship, Narac scored a class win and second place in Le Mans.
After securing second in last year’s Porsche Cup, Paolo Ruberti again climbs the “podium” in third. The 37-year-old Italian secured this success predominantly in the FIA World Endurance Championship. Driving Felbermayr-Proton’s Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Ruberti won the GT Am class at the Sebring 12 Hours and the 6 hour race in Bahrain.
Ruberti secured additional points thanks to a victory and a second place in the Italian GT Championship.
SOURCE: Porsche Motorsport Porsche AG Media Press Database
Communication Porsche AG
Motorsport Press
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VIDEO: Porsche 911 GT3 Cup New Edition of the world’s most successful race car
Stuttgart. The Porsche 911 GT3 Cup is the most successful race car in the world. Since 1998, 2,395 units of the near standard vehicle for customer sport were produced.
The new edition of the 911 GT3 Cup is the motorsports version of the future 911 GT3 and as such is the first race car that is based on the seventh generation of the sports car icon from Zuffenhausen.
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
The 911 GT3 Cup will be run exclusively in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup in 2013.
The car for one-make racing made its debut on the occasion of the end of motorsport season “Night of Champions” celebration at the R&D Centre in Weissach.
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
The new Porsche 911 GT3 Cup is powered by a 3.8-litre six-cylinder flat engine. It generates 460 hp (338 kW) at 7,500 revs, surpassing the predecessor by 10 hp.
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
A six-speed dog-type gearbox developed by Porsche Motorsport which is operated via shift paddles at the steering wheel for the first time in a Porsche brand trophy race car transmits the power to the rear axle.
The single piece race wheels with centre mount were also newly designed by Porsche Motorsport.
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
The width of the Michelin race slicks was increased by two centimetres to 27 centimetres at the front and by ten millimetres at the rear axle to now measure 31 centimetres.
A newly developed race braking system further improves the excellent endurance qualities compared to its successful predecessor. The 380 millimetre slotted and inner-vented steel brake rotors at the front axle are decelerated by six-piston aluminium fixed callipers. The rear axle features a four-piston version.
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
During the development of the new car a particular emphasis was put on the driver safety. A newly designed safety cage protects the pilot in case of a roll or a collision as does a newly developed race seat which is distinctively shaped around the head and shoulders and can be adjusted individually with the help of padding. A rescue hatch in the roof provides easy access for primary medical attention and for the extrication of the driver.
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
“The new 911 GT3 Cup is much easier to drive at the limit,” says Porsche works driver Timo Bernhard, who was significantly involved in the development of the new vehicle.
“The car is excellently balanced. The new axle geometry is enormously positive for the handling. Apart from that the new Cup 911 is great fun to drive.”
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
Like its predecessor the new Porsche 911 GT3 Cup is produced in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen on the same assembly line as the road legal models.
At the Motorsport Centre in Weissach it receives a general set-up for the circuit and is tested by a professional race driver before delivery to the customers. The basic price for the vehicle, which is available exclusively in white, is 181,200 Euro plus the country-specific value added tax.
SOURCE: Porsche AG Media Database Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
Communication Porsche AG
Motorsport Press
PORSCHE NEWS: Le Mans 24 Hours/WEC: LMP1 Sports Prototype to Be Run by Weissach-Based Works Team
STUTTGART, GERMANY, Dec 08
At the Weissach Motorsport Centre, preparations for the running of the new LMP1 sports prototype at the Le Mans 24 Hours and in the sports car World Endurance Championship are progressing at high revs. For this feat the infrastructure was considerably expanded.
A new workshop building and an office complex have been completed. “The first rollout of our new LMP1 car is planned for mid-2013,”announced Wolfgang Hatz, Porsche AG Board of Management Member for Research and Development, on Saturday on the occasion of the end of season “Night of Championscelebration”.
“The car will be run by our own works team based here at Weissach.” The LMP1 project was realised by a new department headed by Fritz Enzinger.
With his well-established organisational structure, Porsche’s Head of Motorsport Hartmut Kristen continues to be responsibilityfor all other motorsport programmes worldwide. The customer sport model 911 GT3 R celebrated 41 wins from 131 starts in a range of GT3 racing series worldwide. For the 2013 season Porsche offers teams an upgrade package which will position the GT3 R even better in the performance window as defined by the FIA.
In his speech, Hatz underlined the importance of GT racing for Porsche and pleaded for two different GT categories for works-supported professional sport and for customer sport:
“In factory sport the regulations must be based on technology while in customer racing a stronger alignment of the relative strength by Balance of Performance measures is legitimate.”
In addition to the promotion of four Porsche Juniors, one pilot from the international makes cups will enjoy comprehensive support for the 2013 season. Frenchman Jean-Karl Vernay (25) who won the Carrera Cup France at his first attempt last season receives funding to the value of 200,000 Euro towards his 2013 Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup campaign. At a test session in Vallelunga, Vernay won over eight other top drivers from the Carrera Cups France, Asia, Japan, Scandinavia, Italy, Australia, Great Britain and from the GT3 Cup Challenge Canada. Vernay has already made a name for himself in international motor racing.
In 2005 he claimed the championship in the French feeder series Formula Renault Campus and went on to finish second in a Formula 3 single-seater at the Macau Grand Prix in 2009. In 2010 Vernay went to the USA and promptly clinched overall victory in the Indy Lights Series’ in his first season. Peugeot contracted the Frenchman as a test and reserve pilot for their LMP1 project in 2011. At the same time Vernay competed in the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup and was crowned LMP2 champion.
“The support from Porsche is a great opportunity for me,” says Vernay. “In the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup all drivers have to adjust to a new vehicle.
As a newcomer, this means I’ll have a good chance to be competitive right from the beginning.
The Supercup is the pinnacle of the Porsche one-brandcups and has a great reputation as a launching platform to enter professional GT sport.”
With its well-established works drivers, Porsche is relying on continuity.
All nine drivers still have a valid contract for the 2013 season or their contract was extended. For six of the nine drivers, the 24-hour race at Daytona on 26 January marks the start of the new season.
Joerg Bergmeister drives a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup for The Racers Group. With Kevin Buckler’s squad, Bergmeister scored a sensational overall victory at Daytona in 2003 at the wheel of a Porsche 911 GT3 RS.
Marco Holzer competes for Alex Job Racing, Marc Lieb again joins forces with Brumos Racing and Richard Lietz drives for last year’s winner Magnus Racing
Patrick Long goes racing for Park Place Motorsports and Patrick Pilet competes for the NGT team.
For the Porsche Juniors Michael Christensen and Klaus Bachler the race in Daytona marks the first time in their career that they contest a 24 hour race. Christensen receives support in his campaign from Christian Engelhart and Porsche Cup winner Nick Tandy for the Konrad Motorsport team with whom he contested the Carrera Cup Deutschland in 2012. Bachler is competing for Snow Racing.
SOURCE: Porsche Motorsport Porsche Press Database
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- Fritz Enzinger, Head of LMP1
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- Wolfgang Hatz, Member of the Executive Board – Research and Development
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- Matthias Müller, President of the Executive Board
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- Michael Christensen (DK) Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 01 Hockenheimring 2012
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- Fritz Enzinger, Head of LMP1
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- Fritz Enzinger, Head of LMP1
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- Fritz Enzinger, Head of LMP1
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- Jörg Bergmeister, Patrick Long, Timo Bernhard, Richard Lietz, Patrick Pilet, Marc Lieb, Romain Dumas, Marco Holzer, Wolf Henzler, Porsche works drivers
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- Jean-Karl Vernay – Winner International Scholarship
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- Jean-Karl Vernay – Winner International Scholarship
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- Jean-Karl Vernay – Winner International Scholarship
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- Jean-Karl Vernay – Winner International Scholarship
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- 24h Le Mans
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- Alexandre Imperatori, Michael Meadows, Edoardo Piscopo, Johan Kristoffersson, Côme Ledogar, Jean-Karl Vernay, Kyle Marcelli, André Heimgartner, Ryo Hirakawa, International Scholarship, Vallelunga
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- Alexandre Imperatori, Michael Meadows, Edoardo Piscopo, Johan Kristoffersson, Côme Ledogar, Jean-Karl Vernay, Kyle Marcelli, André Heimgartner, Ryo Hirakawa (l. – r.), International Scholarship, Vallelunga
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- René Rast (D) Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Italien 2012
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- Klaus Bachler (A) Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 01 Hockenheimring 2012
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- Hartmut Kristen, Head of Porsche Motorsport
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- Porsche works team fields two 911 RSR in 2013, Le Mans 24 Hours / World Endurance Championship (dedeporsche.wordpress.com)
- Porsche Junior Programme : Porsche supports four juniors in the 2013 season (dedeporsche.wordpress.com)
VIDEOS: PORSCHE MOTORSPORT INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP Process Shootout on the Autodromo di Vallelunga
Porsche Motorsport International Scholarship
Videos from the shootout from the Porsche Motorsport International Scholarship process on the Autodromo di Vallelunga. Which is contested this week and for the next couple of weeks. Porsche will make a decision on who will get the scholarship for the next years Supercup 2013.
Stay tuned here for the latest updates as they come in.
Video Shootout #2 on the Autodromo di Vallelunga …”9 Drivers – 1 Goal”
PORSCHE MOTORSPORT INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP #1 Video at Autodromo di Vallelunga
Video Shootout #1 on the Autodromo di Vallelunga.. “Dancing in the Rain”
PORSCHE MOTORSPORT INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP #2 Video at Autodromo di Vallelunga
Source: Porsche AG Media Database
Related article
- VIDEOS: PORSCHE JUNIOR PROGRAM – Six finalists at evaluation drive in Vallelunga, Italy(dedeporsche.wordpress.com)
6 VIDEOS: PORSCHE JUNIOR PROGRAM – Six finalists at evaluation drive in Vallelunga, Italy
Dennis van de Laar, Connor de Phillippi, Levin Amweg, Alex Riberas Bou, Jeffrey Schmidt, Pieter Schotthorst (l. – r.), Porsche Junior Programme, Vallelunga
Press Release29/10/2012
Porsche Junior Programme …… Stay tuned for more updates from this post.
Six finalists at evaluation drive in Vallelunga
Porsche Motorsport International Scholarship
Latest video from the shootout on the Porsche press database
Stuttgart. A video from the Porsche Motorsport International Scholarship on the Autodromo di Vallelunga, which is contested today
Porsche Junior Programme
Fifth video from the final of the process on the Porsche press database
A further video from the final of the Porsche Junior process on the Autodromo di Vallelunga, which is contested on Monday and Tuesday
Porsche Junior Programme
Fourth video from the final of the process on the Porsche press database
A further video from the final of the Porsche Junior process on the Autodromo di Vallelunga, which is contested on Monday and Tuesday (10/29 & 10/30)
Stuttgart. Six young pilots aged from 18 to 20 years will front each other to determine who receives intensive support in the 2013 season as a Porsche Junior in the Carrera Cup Deutschland.
Dennis van de Laar, Pieter Schothorst, Jeffrey Schmidt, Alex Riberas Bou, Levin Amweg, Connor de Phillippi, Porsche Junior Programme, Vallelunga
Porsche Junior Programme
Third video from the final of the process on the Porsche press database
Stuttgart. A further video from the final of the Porsche Junior process on the Autodromo di Vallelunga, which is contested on Monday and Tuesday
At the finale of the international youth selection process, two Swiss drivers Levin Amweg (18) and Jeffrey Schmidt (18), two Dutchmen Dennis van de Laar (18) and Pieter Schothorst (20), a Spaniard Alex Riberas Bou (18) as well as American Connor de Philippi (19) will undertake a comprehensive test programme this Monday and Tuesday in Vallelunga (Italy) with the 450 hp Porsche 911 GT3 Cup.
Porsche Junior Programme – 6 Finalisten – 6 Finalists
Stuttgart. A video from the final of the Porsche Junior process on the Autodromo di Vallelunga, which is contested on Monday and Tuesday,
In the lead-up, the six finalists had come out on top in an extensive selection process against young talents from around the world. Factors taken into account were fitness, mental strength, demeanour and technical understanding.
Pieter Schothorst, Dennis van de Laar, Levin Amweg, Connor de Phillippi, Alex Riberas Bou, Jeffrey Schmidt, Porsche Junior Programme, Vallelunga
Now working alongside engineers on the track, the junior drivers, all of whom were successful in various national and international formula race series, will be tested for consistent times over a race distance as well as in simulated qualifying laps. Moreover, candidates must demonstrate their skill in handling the media with television interviews and photo shoots.
Porsche Junior Programme 2013 – Second video from the final of the process
Stuttgart. A further video from the final of the Porsche Junior process on the Autodromo di Vallelunga, which is contested on Monday and Tuesday.
In the weeks following the selection process, two pilots will be chosen after careful analysis of all data and given support in their 2013 Carrera Cup Deutschland campaign as Porsche juniors. Porsche provides a large part of the season’s budget. The junior pilots choose their own race team based on a defined set of criteria from Porsche Motorsport
Dennis van de Laar, Levin Amweg, Pieter Schothorst, Connor de Phillippi, Jeffrey Schmidt, Alex Riberas Bou, PorscheJunior Programme, Vallelunga
