Bilder + text: Manthey First To Test 997 GT3 RSR

First Spa test with the new 911 GT3 RSR for the 24 hour marathon

Stuttgart. Premiere in Spa-Francorchamps: The new near-standard Porsche racing sportscar, dubbed 911 GT3 RSR, turns the first test laps on the 6.9 kilometre circuit in the Ardennes on 5th July in preparation for its first major outing at the Spa 24 Hours on the 29th-30th July. For the official test day, Germany's Manthey Racing team runs one of the sportscars which were developed by Porsche, based on the current, road-going 911 GT3 RS (997 type). Team principal olaf Manthey commented: "We will start the day with functional checks of all components at race speed on this demanding track. We will then use the rest of the day to find a suitable set-up for this brand new car."

Porsche's works driver Lucas Luhr and Marcel Tiemann (both Monaco) will share the cockpit of the new Porsche for the test session.

Porsche supports Manthey Racing for the Spa 24 hour race not only technically but also through the deployment of works drivers Timo Bernhard (Germany), Marc Lieb (Germany), Lucas Luhr and Sascha Maassen (Belgium). The four factory pilots will share driving duties with Marcel Tiemann and Pedro Lamy (Portugal).

For 2006, this race is the only event that is currently planned. In 2007, the 911 GT3 RSR will be made available for racing customers and should continue the success streak of its predecessors. Amongst other victories, Porsche customer teams claimed class wins in Spa every year since the GT3 first competed there in 2001 - with an overall victory in 2003.

Porsche designed the new GT3 RSR after analysing the relevant A.C.o. and FIA regulations in a specification which allows a minimum weight of 1,225 kilograms (predecessor: 1,125 kgs) and permits the tyre width to be increased by two inches to now measure 14 inches.

For the normally-aspirated Porsche engine, this specification allows a capacity of 3.8-litres with two 30.3 millimetre air restrictors (predecessor: 3.6-litres, two-times 29 mm). The six-cylinder boxer unit now delivers 485 hp at 8,500 revs per minute. Maximum torque lies at 435 Newton-metres.

The 911 GT3 RSR features the body of the 911 GT3 RS, which is based on the Carrera 4. This new body-shell increases the stiffness of the racing car by ten percent. The newly-developed aerodynamic package improves the aerodynamic efficiency by a total of around seven percent.

For the 24 hour race in Spa, the GT3 RSR features the proven sequential six-speed gearbox of its forerunner. Later, the customer vehicles for 2007 will be delivered with a new sequential six-speed dog-type transmission. Amongst other advantages, this gearbox reduces the drive shaft angle which increases efficiency and improves durability.

The suspension with McPherson struts at the front and the Porsche multi-link axle at the rear closely corresponds to the configuration of the standard car. The widening of the mudguards by 50 millimetres on each side allows the use of wheels and tyres in the maximum dimension and an increase of the track front and rear. The new ZF-Sachs shock absorbers build up considerably less friction than conventional dampers and offer an excellent response characteristic.

Jag tror Marc Lieb är son till H-P Lieb, testförare och verkstadschef hos RUF

Ser riktigt potent ut och är säkert en för jäkla bra bil som vanligt när det gäller Porsche.....

men skärmbreddarna.... ser ju för taskiga ut, som någon halvblind garagemek har letat runt bland hyllorna på närmaste F&F återförsäljare och tagit några som nästan passar och skruvat dit.....

Men det är bara min egen estetiska känsla..... i övrigt så är bilen

Skärmbreddarna var inte mycket att hurra för, men de kommer nog att förändras till det bättre när race teamen får ta vid på riktigt.

Det ser ju brutalt ut med sådär halvdan passning, det är ju en race-bil. Funktion före form

Är det så att GT3an har en smalare kaross än GT3RS? (som är baserad på carrera4)