GT3 on ice, not on the rocks.

From horrendous driving to sublime control.

It wasn't always the case but, these days,  a Porsche GT3 is an odd if glorious choice as a rally car.

While having all the weight behind the driven wheels helps with traction and certainly helps swing the tail around hairpins, the platform  is only really viable on tarmac and relatively slow  compared to a state of the art WRC car driven by a one armed man.

But who cares,  good thing Europeans don't and have been using 911s for national rallies for long enough that the FIA was compelled to publish an RGT spec in the last few years.

RGT spec is for two wheel drive, series derived cars and stipulates, among other things,  a maximum power to weight ratio (1hp/3.4kg) and a manually operated clutch.

Since 2011 RGT cars have competed agains every other car in WRC (Remember Bill Caswell?)  but as of this season there will be an official RGT championship run only on tarmac rallies (Montecarlo, Germany with WRC, Corsica and Belgium with ERC).

The Monte starts officially today with the first shakedowns (or recce if you want to be cool).  Conditions up behind Monaco are cold with mixed precipitation expected, possibly snow when the competition starts mid-week.  

Mixed conditions is what Montecarlo is all about so it might very well be the same kind of crud François Delacour is driving though in the clip below.

On ice but keeping it off the rocks.

Monaco: Porsche Supercup qualifying

We may be in one of the temples of Formula 1 but you got to love what having fenders lets you get away with.

As you may know, Fridays are free in Monaco so you can pick whatever spot you choose to watch both Supercup qualifying and the long GP2 race. I decided on a spot overlooking the second Swimming pool complex.
It was amazing to see the fast guys turn in early, aim for the end of the guard rail and brush it every time. You could clearly hear it, tshhk....tsshk... From there they would attack the opposite side curb, bounce about a foot in the air and then gathered it all up in time not to hit the far side barrier. Very cool.

René Rast did it best, qualifying his VELTINS Lechner Racing 997 GT3 cup in 1:35.734, a new Supercup track record .

Sight and sounds below, a full gallery and result from today after the jump




Qualifying result
1. René Rast (D), VELTINS Lechner Racing, 1:35.734 minutes
2. Nick Tandy (GB), Konrad Motorsport, + 0.313 seconds
3. Kuba Giermaziak (PL), VERVA Racing Team, + 0.635
4. Sean Edwards (GB), Team Abu Dhabi by tolimit, + 0.641
5. Jeroen Bleekemolen (NL), Team Abu Dhabi by tolimit, + 0.710
6. Sebastiaan Bleekemolen (NL), Team Bleekemolen, +0.845

It's all HD so don't be afraid to go full screen for maximum enjoyment!

2011 Porsche GT3 RSR

Here is the 2011 Porsche GT3 RSR. Full details and more pictures after the jump. I uploaded desktop sized pictures you can download on our Flickr! account.





(hit ''full screen'' for added fun!)

Debut for the 2011 version of the world’s most successful GT race car


Stuttgart. The Porsche 911 GT3 RSR takes off into the new motorsport season with extensive modifications. The 2011 version of the world’s most successful GT race car celebrated its international premiere at the “Night of Champions” party held at the R&D Centre in Weissach to mark the end of the motorsport season. Priority in the further development of the GT3 RSR was given to the newly designed aerodynamics at the front and rear, changes to the suspension kinematics and to the engine.

The 4.0-litre, six-cylinder boxer engine now delivers 455 hp (335 kW) at 7,800 revs, five horsepower more than its predecessor. The power increase results from an engine management system which adapts even better to different fuel grades, as well as a redesigned exhaust system and a modified air intake housing. Moreover, the driveability of the famously efficient engine has undergone further improvements. Maximum revs remain unchanged at 9,400 rpm.

Clearly visible are the modifications to the front. A new front lip provides higher downforce at the front axle. The front wheels are now wider with the rims growing from 11 to 12 inches giving additional grip and less of an understeering tendency. The position of the rear wing and the shape of the wing mounting also underwent optimisation and were adapted to the new rear fairing with additional air outlet louvers. The rear lid was also redesigned for optimised air ducting. Like the 911 GT3 Cup and the GT3 R, the RSR has now been equipped with the LED rear lights taken from the latest 911 road-legal cars.

The 911 GT3 RSR joins the 911 GT3 R and the 911 GT3 Cup as the top model of Porsche Motorsport’s product range. The successful long distance racer from Weissach can be ordered now at a price of 410,000 Euro plus country-specific value added tax. All 2011 modifications are available as a kit for GT3 RSR cars from the 2010 season.

Technical description Porsche GT3 RSR (2011 model year)
Engine
Water-cooled six-cylinder boxer engine; 3,996 cc; stroke 80.4 mm; bore 102.7 mm; 455 hp (335 kW) at 7,800 rpm; max. torque 450 Nm; air restrictors 2 x 28.6 mm; max. revs 9,400 rpm; four valve technology; dry sump lubrication; individual throttle butterflies; fuel injection.

Transmission
Porsche six-speed gearbox with sequential jaw-type shift; oil/water heat exchanger, single-mass flywheel; hydraulic disengagement lever; three-plate carbon-fibre clutch; rear wheel drive; limited slip differential 45/65 percent.

Body
Monocoque body (basis GT3 RS) of hot-galvanised steel; aerodynamically optimised front end with front spoiler; aerodynamically optimised front underfloor; adjustable rear wing; 90-litre FT3 safety fuel tank with fast filling function; air jack; welded-in safety cage; race seat (driver’s side only) with flame retardant upholstery; six-point seat belt adapted for use of the HANS Head and Neck Support; electric fire extinguishing system.

Suspension
Front axle: McPherson spring strut axle; Sachs four-way gas pressure dampers; double coil springs (main and auxiliary); front axle arms adjustable for camber; adjustable sword-type anti-roll bar; power steering.
Rear: Multi-arm axle with rigidly mounted axle sub-frame; Sachs four-way gas pressure dampers; double coil springs (main and auxiliary); rear axle tie-bar reinforced and infinitely adjustable; adjustable sword-type anti-roll bar. Complete suspension infinitely adjustable (height, camber, track).

Brake system
Brake system with balance bar control.
Front: Single-piece six-piston aluminium fixed callipers; inner vented, 380 mm diameter; racing brake pads.
Rear: Single-piece four-piston aluminium fixed callipers; inner vented, 355 mm diameter; racing brake pads.

Wheels
Front: Three-piece BBS light-alloy wheels (12J x 18 ET 34); central bolt.
Rear: Three-piece BBS light-alloy wheels (13J x 18 ET 12.5); central bolt.

Electrical system
Motec display with integrated data recording; multi-function display with integrated gearshift indicator; adjustable traction control; battery: 12 volt, 80 Ah, 140 Ah alternator.

Weight
1,220 kg

(Porsche PR)

Sabine: She Cooks, She Saves!

I'm sure Sabine Schmitz can cook faster than you, probably makes water boil faster too. In this clip the famously fast fraülein of the Eiffel whips up some grub for team fabulous Frikadelli team before the most recent VLN race.

The rest of the video is 9 minutes of onboard from the team's Porsche 997 GT3 R including the race start and the incident when on the first lap of its first race, the Mercedes SLS AMG gets into a very avoidable accident. Got to love the fist pump as driver Nic Kentenich just squeezes between the Merc and the 'vette!




But of course Sabine is best know as cab driver. Here she is hacking in a 997 GT3 RS MkII during a Gentlemen Driver Club track day. All is well up to about 8:15 minutes in when she gets to Pflanzgarten.

Now, if you've driven at the 'ring, you know exactly how scary that section of the track is so you can imagine what losing the rear of any car, never mind a "junk on the trunk" 911, at that speed must feel like. I'm sure the video does not do that feeling justice, you have to at least have driven that particular roller coaster section.

"Check the tires" she says...I say check the passenger seat before the next client.



(let me put in a plug for Pistonspy.com, if you are into N-ring spy pix and videos it needs to be on your list!)
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Sports Utility Vehicle

What's at the end of the rainbow? Fine, it's a bit hard to see but it's our idea of what an SUV is...find out after the jump


Adil's Porsche 997 GT3 SUV

Cars are meant to be used... Episode 7

There are no garage queens in Axis garages.


(Axis Adil, Memorial day week end 2010)

More cars being used...HERE and of course, HERE
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The Patrese Effect.

It all started with that clip of ex F1 driver Riccardo Patrese out for a lap in a Honda Civic, smirking as his terrified wife hurled all manner of insults his way, an internet legend was born.

A couple of million YouTube views later, Porsche tries to recreate the spirit of the video with a teaser clip used for the launch of the 997 GT3 MarkII. Now, one of our readers made his own "tribute to the tribute" clip with his GT3 and a girl whose hair makes for a great analog G-meter! Check it out, she's a pretty good sport about it and...she doesn't hurl!


(Video by Farzaan Kassam)

Still, our vote for funniest "scared passanger" video of all time will have to go to Jordi Gene's grandmother!...
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Sensational: New Porsche 997 GT3 RS MkII Video

Porsche gave us a treat today, no commentary needed...and it has a cloth pull handle for the door...I want one!
More pictures and info after the jump.

This is what Porsche is calling “the most sporting 911 yet”: the new GT3 RS.

The homologation special is fitted with the same 3.8-litre flat six as the GT3, but it has 444bhp instead of 429bhp, making it 35bhp pokier than the old RS.

The latest GT3 RS gets wider tracks at the front and rear (aided by extended front wheel arches) and a huge carbonfibre rear wing with aluminium supports.

The naturally aspirated engine, which has a specific output of more than 113bhp per litre, is mated to a low-ratio, short-shift six-speed manual gearbox.

A lithium ion starter battery will be available instead of the standard unit, reducing the kerb weight by 10kg.

Porsche is clearly aiming to make this one of the wildest 911s ever, with bright decals all over the bodywork.

The GT3 RS goes on sale in the US in 2010, priced from $132,800.

Porsche 997 GT3 mk II at the 'Ring: Let's see Uncle Walter do it...

To see how it's really supposed to be done while we think about our trip there. The old man casually does a 7:32 BTG giving a passenger ride. I would guess the car had the stock semi slicks on, still how's that for a lesson in humility eh?

Here are the comments from the person who posted the video:

Walter & I: in-car camera of the best race track in the world: the Nürburgring Nordschleife with the man who o.k.'s every new Porsche that leaves the Porsche factories.

If you do not know who Walter Röhrl is, just google him. Nuff said.

This was a childhood dream come true. I never expected to ever meet the man, much less to spend a lap with him on his playground.

I have done everything, I ever wanted to do in my life.

For all the experts out there who have been at the ring:

We did a timed lap of about 7:25 minutes. I substracted about 6 seconds for the traffic we hit and the delayed acceleration after the bilstein bridge. At Schwedenkreuz we hit 260 kph right before the 100kph turn into Aremberg. at the end of Fuchsröhre we hit 240kph.

The funny thing is, I was wearing a helmet, he was not...

And here is the rest of it.

Axis Ringball 09-Day1: We made it.

CG, Andres and I met in Frankfurt and made it to the 'ring in no time, thanks to the awesome moosepower of the rented Volvo SUV. Pretty soon CG got excited and pretended to race a Ferrari Scuderia on the back roads around the ring as we were making our way to lunch. After some tasty grillhaxe , we stopped by to say hello to our friends Ron and Dale at RSR Nurburg. The have some very tasty new cars for rent, if you plan on a trip here, do look them up. After a look around the carpark we went for a track walk with the RSR crew and finished the evening with a classic "Steak on Stone" at the Pistenklaus...

Tomorrow we pick up our cars and hope we find some room in the traffic!

And yes , that is a 3.8 997 GT3, the RS is wishful thinking though.






And here is the rest of it.






And here is the rest of it.

Viper vs GT3 Cup, Nürbugring VLN 2009

A great find by Dale at Bridge to Gantry.com. We ride with the Vulcan Racing- Team Mintgen Motorsport Viper with Dirk Riebensahm.





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Porsche GT3 RSR...

Because there is no substitute for awesomeness...





Technical Description Porsche GT3 RSR (2009) Engine:
Water-cooled, six-cylinder boxer engine; four valves per cylinder; dry sump lubrication; individual throttle butterflies; fuel injection; air restrictors 2 x 29.5 mm.
Bore: 102.7 mm Stroke: 80.4 mm
Capacity: 3,996 cc
Power output: 331 kW (450 bhp) at 7,800 rpm
Max. Torque: 430 Nm at 7,250 rpm Max. revs: 9,400 rpm

Transmission:
Six-speed gearbox with sequential jaw-type shift; oil/water heat exchanger; single-mass flywheel; hydraulic disengagement lever; three-plate carbon-fibre clutch; rear wheel drive; limited-slip differential 45/65%.

Body: Monocoque body (basis GT3 RS) of hot-galvanised steel;
aerodynamically optimised front end with front spoiler; aerodynamically optimised front underfloor; adjustable rear wing;
90-litre safety fuel tank with fast filling function; air jack;
welded-in safety cage; bucket-type racing seat (on driver's side only) with flame-resistant seat cover; six-point seat belt adapted for use of the HANS Head and Neck Support; electric fire-extinguishing system.

Suspension:
Front: McPherson spring strut axle; Sachs four-way gas pressure dampers; double coil springs (main and ancillary spring); front axle arms adjustable for camber; adjustable sword-type anti-roll bar on both sides; power steering.

Rear: Multi-arm axle with rigidly mounted axle sub-frame; Sachs four-way gas pressure dampers; double coil springs (main and auxiliary spring); rear axle tie-bar reinforced and infinitely adjustable; adjustable sword-type anti-roll bar on both sides. Complete suspension infinitely adjustable (height, camber, track).

Brakes:
Brake system with balance bar control.
Front: Single-piece six-piston aluminium fixed callipers; inner-vented, 380 mm in diameter; racing brake pads.
Rear: Single-piece four-piston aluminium fixed callipers; inner-vented, 355 mm in diameter; racing brake pads.

Wheels:
Front: Three-piece BBS light-alloy wheels (11J x 18-34); central bolt;
Rear: Three-piece BBS light-alloy wheels (13J x 18-12.5); central bolt.

Electrical System:
Motec display with integrated data recording; multi-function display with integrated gearshift indicator; adjustable traction control; battery: 12 volt, 50 Ah, 140 Ah alternator.

Weight:
Approx. 1,220 kg complying with A.C.O. regulations, 1,245 kg complying with FIA regulations.

Porsche 997 GT3 MkII, let's go for a ride!

Porsche is such a tease! Brilliant.





And here is the rest of it.

Porsche 997 GT3 RS MkII

In case you missed the pictures, this is the MkII version of the RS on sale from summer 2009. No firm details yet though a switch to a direct injection engine is likely while a semi automatic PDK option is not.

Styling has been updated to look, if possible, even more aggressive than the MK I version.



EVO




And here is the rest of it.