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Stuttgart. Motorsport fans around the world wait in eager anticipation for the 25th of June, 2011.
On this day, Porsche adds yet another superlative to the history of the Nürburgring-Nordschleife: At the Porsche Carrera World Cup, more than 100 participants from 25 countries contest the greatest Porsche race of all time on the legendary race track that is also dubbed the‘green hell’.
Nürburgring circuit map, taken at German Grand Prix 1964; the legend advises…
“No driving in the Eifel (mountains) without a lap on the Nürburgring”
The race on the legendary circuit in Germany’s Eifel region with a total of 88 corners (northern loop plus the Grand Prix circuit) runs over six laps (152.268 kilometres), and is not just a case for the ‘Guinness Book of Records’.
It also poses the greatest sporting challenge imaginable for Porsche Cup pilots.
“The Nordschleife is a very tricky track,” says Uwe Brettel, General Manager Motorsport Sales at Porsche.
He sums up the fascination of this race aptly:
“The Carrera World Cup is the link between two very successful motorsport platforms: Porsche’s one-make race series and the Nürburgring-Nordschleife.”
The Porsche Carrera World Cup, which takes off just prior to the 24 hour race, is not only unique because of its giant grid, but also because of the sporting significance. Quantity and quality – that was the whole idea. And it worked: The Porsche Mobil1 Supercup as the world’s fastest international one-make race series, and the well-supported Carrera Cups in Germany, Great Britain, France, Italy and Scandinavia count this event as one of their regular championship rounds. Drivers will be classified for their respective series as well as for the Porsche Carrera World Cup. Also joining the action are guest drivers from other Carrera Cups and GT3 Cup Challenges around the world.
One of the most prominent competitors is Craig Baird.
Over the course of his outstanding career, the New Zealander has notched up 109 victories in Porsche one-make race series, making him the most successful Porsche Cup pilot in the world. Porsche AG invited him back to the Nordschleife, which he knows from two 24 hour races there, to drive the VIP-car with the starting number 200.
Craig Baird (NZ)
His Porsche 911 GT3 Cup is also a feast for the eyes. Its design is an artistic interpretation of the Nürburgring-Nordschleife as the ‘green hell’ with licking flames as well as a stylized world map representing the 25 nations from which the international grid comes to contest the greatest Porsche race on earth.
At the wheel of the second VIP-911 fielded by Porsche Cars North America, Melanie Snow celebrates her race debut on the Eifel circuit.
Melanie Snow (USA)
The mother of four is one of the most well-known racers in the USA and for many years has contested the IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge where she won the Gold Cup class in 2009. At the Porsche Carrera World Cup the ‘world’s fastest mum’ is the only female in the field.
The field is divided into two classes: The Porsche 911 GT3 Cup with 3.6-litre engines from the 2007 to 2009 model years (400 to 420 hp) as well as the 3.8-litre version from the 2010 and 2011 model years (450 hp) are classified separately. Two sets of slicks and one set of wet tyres are permitted for each vehicle for the entire race weekend.
The starting groups, consisting of a maximum of 70 vehicles per group, take off on their journey into the “Green Hell” with a flying start (Indianapolis start). About two minutes separate each group.
So that the spectators can better recognize the vehicles, all start numbers have three-digits. The first numeral stands for the respective series from which the cars come. 0 stands for the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup, the number 1 for the Carrera Cup France, the number 2 for the Carrera Cup Deutschland, number 3 for the Carrera Cup and the GT3 Cup Challenge Great Britain, 4 for the Carrera Cup Italia and 5 for the Carrera Cup Scandinavia. The second and third numerals are the original starting numbers with which the individual cars contest their respective series.
Prize money for the overall winner is 11,000 Euro. Second place receives 8,000 Euro, third 6,000 Euro.
“Since its market launch in 1998 we’ve built more than 2,200 units of the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup which are fielded in 20 one-make race series worldwide,” says Hartmut Kristen, Head of Porsche Motorsport. “With the Porsche Carrera World Cup on the Nordschleife, we want to offer our brand trophy series customers worldwide another highlight.”
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup: Nick Tandy hopes for first win of the season
Nick Tandy tackles the Porsche Carrera World Cup as the leader of the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup. Driving for Konrad Motorsport, the Briton has notched up three second places this season, but is now hoping to bring home his first victory from the demanding Nordschleife.
Nick Tandy (GB)
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Spanien 2011
Last year’s vice-champion has prepared himself well for the race, however the three winners of this season are experienced Nordschleife pilots: For his teammate Christian Engelhart, winner of the season-opener in Istanbul, the Eifel circuit is no less familiar turf as it is for Barcelona winner Sean Edwards of Abu Dhabi by tolimit
Sean Edwards (GB)
and the VELTINS Lechner Racing pilot and reigning Supercup champion René Rast, who dominated at the Monaco round.
René Rast (D)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 04 Lausitzring 2011
Jeroen Bleekemolen from the Netherlands is also very much looking forward to the Porsche Carrera World Cup.
“This race is a great idea,” says the two-time Supercup winner driving for the Abu Dhabi by tolimit squad. Bleekemolen has yet to secure a victory this season. “If you want to be seriously fast on the Nordschleife you need to be gutsy. But that’s exactly what race drivers love. For me, this race marks the greatest challenge of the year.”
Jeroen Bleekemolen (NL)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 01 Hockenheimring 2011
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland: Ideal start to the season
Unlike in the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup, Nick Tandy has already notched up one win from the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland this year – the points’ leader kicked off the new season perfectly with victory at the season-opener in Hockenheim. Jeroen Bleekemolen has also enjoyed a promising start: Competing for the Deutsche Post by tolimit team, the Dutchman won his home race in Zandvoort.
His compatriot Jaap van Lagen (Land Motorsport), winner at Spielberg,
Jaap van Lagen (NL)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 02 Zandvoort 2011
and Denmark’s Nicki Thiim (Hermes Attempto Racing), who last weekend celebrated his first Carrera Cup victory on the Lausitzring, are all determined to earn more championship points at the Porsche Carrera World Cup.
Nicki Thiim (DK)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 04 Lausitzring 2011
Despite not having notched up any wins yet, Germany’s seasoned campaigner Uwe Alzen (PZ Aschaffenburg Uwe Alzen Automotive) belongs to the circle of favorites to win at the Porsche Carrera World Cup, thanks to his extensive Nordschleife experience.
Uwe Alzen (D)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 02 Zandvoort 2011
“I’ve already driven the Cup-Porsche on the Nordschleife and the handling of the car is very good,” says Uwe Alzen, an authority on Porsche one-make race series. “It’s going to be tight amongst the front-runners and facing so many good pilots at the top will be a tough nut to crack.”
Another race favorite is the Schnabl Engineering pilot from Austria, Martin Ragginger.
Martin Ragginger (A)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 02 Zandvoort 2011
Schedule Porsche Carrera World Cup
Thursday, 23 June 18.00 – 19.00 hrs Free practice
Friday, 24 June 15.25 – 16.25 hrs Qualifying
Saturday, 25 June 10.30 – 11.00 hrs Grid line-up
11.00 hrs Formation lap
11.20 – 12.35 hrs Race
TV station Eurosport broadcasts the Porsche Carrera World Cup on 25 June 2011 live from 10.45 hrs.
Start: Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 04 Lausitzring 2011
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland, round 4 on the Lausitzring
Nicki Thiim (DK)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 04 Lausitzring 2011
Nicki Thiim narrowly wins turbulent race
Nicki Thiim (DK)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 04 Lausitzring 2011
Stuttgart. Fourth race, fourth winner – and 24 laps of high suspense: The Lausitzring race of the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland was a real thriller. Cup-returnee Nicki Thiim from Denmark won his first race at Germany’s one-make series brilliantly but by a very narrow margin.
Nicki Thiim (DK)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 04 Lausitzring 2011
Sean Edwards (GB), Nicki Thiim (DK), Nick Tandy (GB)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 04 Lausitzring 2011
Only 0.3 seconds separated the Hermes Attempto pilot from Sean Edwards (Great Britain, Deutsche Post by tolimit) in second.
Sean Edwards (GB)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 04 Lausitzring 2011
Third place went to Nick Tandy. Driving for Konrad Motorsport, the Briton heads to round five – which takes place at the Porsche Carrera World Cup as the season highlight – as points’ leader.
Nick Tandy (GB)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 04 Lausitzring 2011
On 25 June at the Nürburgring, more than 100 competitors from one-make race series worldwide tackle the greatest Porsche race in history.
Fans were treated to gripping racing already at the start of round four on the 3.748 kilometre Lausitzing.
Sean Edwards (GB), Nicki Thiim (DK), Nick Tandy (GB)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 04 Lausitzring 2011
Tandy, who started from fourth, took the outside line and in the first corner surprised pole-sitter Thiim and second in the qualifying, Supercup champion, René Rast (Germany, Förch Racing), by passing them. Behind the leading trio a turbulent scene developed. The first victim was reigning champ Nicolas Armindo. The Frenchman (Hermes Attempto Racing) became sandwiched between two opponents and landed in the gravel trap. Two laps later it was René Rast’s turn: out after a light nudge from Robert Renauer (Germany, Herberth Motorsport). Uwe Alzen (Germany, PZ Aschaffenburg Uwe Alzen Automotive) retired as a result of the collision with Armindo.
The fight at the top was extremely gripping.
At times, only six-hundredths of a second separated Tandy, Thiim and Edwards The leader was finding it increasingly difficult to fend off the two rivals. In the ninth lap came the crunch point. At the end of the back straight, Tandy ran with understeer too far to the outside, Thiim and Edwards slipped through and were able to pull away from Tandy.
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The current points’ leader then came under pressure from Zandvoort winner Jeroen Bleekemolen (Team Deutsche Post by tolimit) and Martin Ragginger (Schnabl Engineering). The Dutchman and the Austrian delivered a fair fight over much of the sprint, with Bleekemolen putting in an immaculate drive to hold the upper hand. Fourth at the flag put him in second overall, but he shares the same points’ tally as his tolimit teammate Edwards in third, followed by Ragginger in fourth.
Three Carrera Cup newcomers profited from the retirements. David Jahn from Germany finished sixth in the Lausitz, and brought home a better result than his team boss and colleague Uwe Alzen, and his second top ten result.
The 2010-rookie Stefan Wendt (Germany) planted his Attempto Racing 911 on seventh ahead of specialist Jan Seyffarth (Germany, SMS Seyffarth Motorsport). Two Cup debutants Philipp Frommenwiler (Switzerland, Attempto Racing) and Damian Sawicki (Poland, Förch Racing) celebrated their ninth and tenth place as if they were a victory.
Nicki Thiim (winner):
“The race was exciting. After Tandy snatched us both in the first corner I thought I wouldn’t regain my position. But then I noticed that he was experiencing problems so I stuck to him like glue and waited for a mistake. But at the same time I had to contend with huge pressure from Edwards. I’m so happy I’ve managed to bring home my first Carrera Cup victory!”
Sean Edwards (second):
“Great race! Even though I was obviously annoyed I missed out on my first Carrera Cup win by such a close margin. My car was perfectly set-up but it was not possible to get past Nicki unscathed.”
Nick Tandy (third):
“That was one of the most difficult races of my life. After a light nudge in the first corner with Nicki Thiim, my car no longer ran perfectly. I heard strange noises and it was very hard to control. Considering this, I’m pleased with third place and the points’ lead.”
Sean Edwards (GB), Nicki Thiim (DK), Nick Tandy (GB)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 04 Lausitzring 2011
Race result
1. Nicki Thiim (DK), Hermes Attempto Racing, 34:50.590 minutes (143.739 km/h)
2. Sean Edwards (GB), Team Deutsche Post by tolimit, + 0.379 seconds
3. Nick Tandy (GB), Konrad Motorsport, + 4.763
4. Jeroen Bleekemolen (NL), Team Deutsche Post by tolimit, + 5.450
5. Martin Ragginger (A), Schnabl Engineering, + 5.810
6. David Jahn (D), PZ Aschaffenburg Uwe Alzen Automotive, + 15.781
7. Stefan Wendt (D), Attempto Racing, + 17.995
Drivers’ classification after 4 of 9 races
1. Nick Tandy (GB), 70 points
2. Jeroen Bleekemolen (NL), 62
3. Sean Edwards (GB), 62
4. Martin Ragginger (A), 42
5. Jaap van Lagen (NL), 39
6. Nicki Thiim (DK), 38
Team classification after 4 of 9 races
1. Team Deutsche Post by tolimit, 124 points
2. Konrad Motorsport, 90
3. PZ Aschaffenburg Uwe Alzen Automotive, 47
Round five of the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland takes place as part of the Porsche Carrera World Cup on 25 June on the Nürburgring (combination Grand Prix circuit/Nordschleife).
Nicki Thiim (DK)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 04 Lausitzring 2011
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland
Nicki Thiim relegates favorites down the grid
Stuttgart. The fight at the top of the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland remains lively at round four. At the end of a gripping qualifying session Nicki Thiim snatched his first pole position. The 22-year-old Dane turned the quickest lap on the 3.478 kilometre Lausitzring circuit in 1:24.727 minutes.
Nicki Thiim (DK)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 04 Lausitzring 2011
Driving for Hermes Attempto Racing, he easily outstripped points’ leader Nick Tandy and last year’s winner Nicolas Armindo.
René Rast (D)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 04 Lausitzring 2011
Förch Racing pilot and champion of the international Porsche Mobil1 Supercup, René Rast (Germany), planted his 911 GT3 Cup on the second grid spot, 0.163 seconds shy of the pole-sitter.
Nicki Thiim, son of former DTM champion Kurt Thiim, already contested the German Carrera Cup in 2009. After claiming third as his best result and five further top ten placings, he concluded the season ranking fifth overall as the best rookie. Thiim made a promising start to the 2011 season with third qualifying place in Hockenheim. In the race, however, his team made a wrong tyre choice which prevented a top result. After a 14th and two eighth places, the Dane heads into tomorrow’s 24-lap sprint ranking only tenth overall.
Robert Renauer (D)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 04 Lausitzring 2011
Third in the qualifying on the Lausitzring went to Robert Renauer.
Robert Renauer (D)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 04 Lausitzring 2011
Driving for Herberth Motorsport, the German yielded a surprising first pole position from the season-opening qualifying session. However, after missing out on two rounds, his position in the championship standings plays no role. The opposite is the case for the driver starting from the second row alongside Renauer – points’ leader Nick Tandy.
Nick Tandy (GB)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 04 Lausitzring 2011
In the final moments of the qualifying, the Briton failed to crack Thiim’s lap time. At the wheel of his Konrad Motorsport 911, last year’s second place-getter took a journey into the gravel trap.
Nick Tandy (GB)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 04 Lausitzring 2011
The two Deutsche Post by tolimit pilots are also not particularly thrilled with their grid positions in the third row.
Sean Edwards from Great Britain already has four Supercup wins under his belt and was determined to finally achieve a top result in the German brand trophy series on the Lausitzring. Jeroen Bleekemolen had also hoped for more.
Jeroen Bleekemolen (NL)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 04 Lausitzring 2011
Sitting second on the points’ table, the Dutchman has notched up a clear lights-to-flag victory at his home race in Zandvoort this season.
Austria’s Martin Ragginger (Schnabl Engineering) and Nicolas Armindo (Hermes Attempto Racing) share the fourth grid row in seventh and eighth respectively.
For the champion from France, the result is a bitter disappointment and a continuation of a difficult season so far. The two drivers behind are also seasoned campaigners in the Porsche one-make race series.
Jan Seyffarth (Germany, SMS Seyffarth Motorsport) was the 2008 Carrera Cup vice-champion, and Uwe Alzen is three-time champion of the Supercup and the Carrera Cup. In the closing phase of the qualifying, tyre damage prevented Alzen from Germany (PZ Aschaffenburg Uwe Alzen Automotive) from hunting for a better time.
The Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland race is shown live on the official website (www.porsche.de/carreracup). On 24 June, TV station Sport1 broadcasts a race review, interviews and reports from 16.30 to 17.00 hours in the ‘Carrera Cup Magazin’.
Nicki Thiim (pole-sitter):
“I could have cried with relief because until now it just wasn’t working. Mostly I’m pleased for my team. The breakthrough came today when I managed all sectors perfectly and with total concentration. The field is so incredibly close that you only have a chance when everything comes together one hundred percent.”
René Rast (second qualifier):
“I’m completely happy with second on the grid. In fact, this position could even be better than the pole. I took off from first on the grid here three years ago and was promptly overtaken by the second starter at the first corner.”
Robert Renauer (third qualifier):
“To be honest, I hadn’t expected to do so well after taking a break for the last two races. In Hockenheim I experienced bad luck from pole position. So a podium result tomorrow would be great, but I know I have a lot of drivers breathing down my neck wanting the same thing. It’ll be exciting.”
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Qualifying result:
1. Nicki Thiim (DK), Hermes Attempto Racing, 1:24.727 minutes
2. René Rast (D), Förch Racing, + 0.163 seconds
3. Robert Renauer (D), Herberth Motorsport, + 0.164
4. Nick Tandy (GB), Konrad Motorsport, + 0.339
5. Sean Edwards (GB), Team Deutsche Post by tolimit, + 0.363
6. Jeroen Bleekemolen (NL), Team Deutsche Post by tolimit, + 0.455
7. Martin Ragginger (A), Schnabl Engineering, + 0.490
8. Nicolas Armindo (F), Hermes Attempto Racing, + 0.533
9. Jan Seyffarth (D), SMS Seyffarth Motorsport, + 0.629
10. Uwe Alzen (D), PZ Aschaffenburg Uwe Alzen Automotive, + 0.992
33 Porsche tackle the long distance classic in the Eifel
Stuttgart. A strong contingent of Porsche teams takes up the 24 hour race on the Nürburgring.
Like last year, Porsche AG as well as various customer teams field 33 vehicles featuring the characteristic six-cylinder boxer engine at the 39th running of the long distance classic in Germany’s Eifel region on 25/26 June.
Eight Porsche works drivers contest Germany’s greatest motorsport event at which Porsche has celebrated four overall victories in the last five years.
After an impressive 24 hour debut last year where it held the lead for eight hours witnessed by over 200,000 ardent spectators and grabbed headlines worldwide, the Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid returns to the Nordschleife this year with the starting number 9.
The vehicle, however, has been substantially reined in by the organizers.
After the latest reclassification, the combustion engine now delivers only 448 hp. Calculated over one lap, the further-developed 911 GT3 R Hybrid (Version 2.0) now delivers a lower system output than last year’s vehicle with a combustion engine.
“This further reduction in performance by the organisers is incomprehensible to us,” says Porsche Head of Motorsport, Hartmut Kristen. “There are no data from the two test races as part of the 2011 Nürburgring Long Distance Championship that would provide the basis for such a grading. Our goal was and is to achieve similar lap times to other GT3 vehicles, but with better efficiency. We feel this goal is the right one long term and very much regret that some officials in motorsport can’t or won’t yet come on board with this approach.”
Sharing the cockpit of the Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid 2.0 are Porsche factory pilots
Joerg Bergmeister (Germany)
Richard Lietz (Austria)
Patrick Long (USA)
and Marco Holzer (Germany)
who were all deeply involved in the vehicle development. The efficiency of the innovative race car from Weissach was improved through targeted optimisation of the hybrid components. The general hybrid layout of the Version 2.0 was adopted from its predecessor. The output of both electric motors in the portal axle increased from 60 to 75 kilowatts each. They supplement the four-litre six-cylinder boxer engine which now only delivers 448 hp after the repeated power reduction.
For seconds at a time, pilots now have about 200 hp more at their disposal, which is equivalent to ca. 32 hp of additional conventional power per Nordschleife lap. Depending on the programming, this electrical power is automatically activated through use of the throttle pedal.
Moreover, hybrid pilots can manually call up this extra power, for instance when overtaking.
“We’ll go all out to continue on from last year’s strong performance with the 911 GT3 R Hybrid. It won’t be easy against the strong opposition who have taken major steps forward, particularly since our car has been disproportionately handicapped,” says Joerg Bergmeister. The Porsche works driver is looking forward to the Nordschleife: “It’s one of the world’s most beautiful race tracks. It’s incredibly demanding but it’s incredible fun as well. Every lap is a challenge.”
This year, the winning Manthey Racing squad fields two Porsche 911 – a GT3 R and a GT3 RSR – sporting a prominent yellow-green design. Manning both vehicles is the winning Porsche works driver quartet, Timo Bernhard (Germany),
Romain Dumas (France)
Marc Lieb (Germany)
as well as Manthey pilot Lucas Luhr (Switzerland)
who have notched up over 50 major international titles between them.
Every year, Timo Bernhard is thrilled anew by the unique atmosphere of the non-stop motorsport party.
Timo Bernhard
“Driving on the Nordschleife is always an experience,” says the Porsche works driver and Le Mans winner, who has contributed to all four Porsche overall victories here between 2006 and 2009. “Although you’re constantly challenged as a driver and there is no chance to catch your breath over the long laps, you still don’t want to climb out of the car.”
Another Porsche factory pilot, Wolf Henzler (Germany), competes for the Falken Motorsport team.
His teammates in the #44 Porsche 911 GT3 R are Martin Ragginger (Austria), Peter Dumbreck (Great Britain) and Sebastian Asch (Germany).
Also hoping for a top result is the Haribo Manthey Racing (No. 8) line-up of Richard Westbrook (Great Britain), Christian Menzel (Germany), Mike Stursberg (Germany) and Hans Guido Riegel (Germany).
With the all-German crew of Georg Weiss, Oliver Kainz, Michael Jacobs and Jochen Krumbach, the Wochenspiegel Team Manthey has proven Nordschleife specialists at the wheel of the #26 Porsche 911 GT3 RSR.
Manthey Racing’s Porsche 911 GT3 R (No. 10) is manned by another strong squad with Marc Gindorf (Monaco), Wolfgang Kohler (Germany) and Peter Scharmach (New Zealand).
The 39th edition of the Nürburgring 24 hour race starts on Saturday 25 June at 16.00 hours. Television station Sport1 broadcasts a total of over 13 hours live on Saturday (from 15.45 hours) and Sunday (from 07.00 hours) intermittently. A one-hour highlight programme of the race will be televised on Sunday at 22.30 hours.
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Schedule Nürburgring 24 hour race
Thursday, 23 June
14.30 – 16.00 hrs, Free practice
19.30 – 23.30 hrs, 1st qualifying
Friday, 24 June
14.00 hrs, Porsche press conference
16.55 – 18.55 hrs, 2nd qualifying
Saturday, 25 June
13.30 – 15.10 hrs, Grid line-up
15.40 hrs, Formation lap
16.00 hrs, Start
PCNA Team to Report the Sights and Sounds from Germany’s Nurburgring
ATLANTA, June 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Porsche Cars North America is entering a 911 GT3 Cup racecar and dispatching six employees to the inaugural Porsche Carrera World Cup race, which is held during the same weekend as the 39th ADAC 24 Hours of Nurburgring Race in Germany, June 25, 2011. The team will document and share all the off and on-track excitement on the “The Hub”, Porsche Cars North America’s new social media press site.
PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA, INC. 911 GT3 R HYBRID Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid at the Nurburgring. (PRNewsFoto/Porsche Cars North America, Inc., Jan Brucke) ATLANTA, GA UNITED STATES (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110609/CL17259-a )
Held prior to the start of the 39th ADAC 24 Hour Race, the Porsche Carrera World Cup will pit up to 200 competitors and their Porsche 911 GT3 Cup racers against each other and the Nurburgring Nordschleife.
When American Le Mans Series (ALMS) GTC Champion Melanie Snow joins the other Porsche 911 GT3 Cup racers on the starting grid at 10:30 am local time, at Germany’s legendary Nurburgring on June 25, she’ll not only have a unique ground support crew; she is slated to be the only female racer to compete in the Carrera World Cup.
The Porsche employee team, selected from submitted video and written essays detailing their motorsports passion, will be on hand to capture and share the insider’s view on what it takes to compete internationally, what it feels – and sounds – like from the driver’s seat and who’s who in the world of Porsche motorsports.
PCNA employees were also involved in selecting the racing livery, with the winning design designed in-house. The 70.2-mile race is six complete laps of 15.5 miles each with nearly 200,000 spectators expected.
The Porsche Carrera World Cup includes drivers from Porsche’s 18 brand trophy and challenge series worldwide and this race also counts as a competition round towards several other championships, including the Porsche Carrera Cups in Germany, Scandinavia, France and Italy.
911 GT3 R Hybrid “2.0”
Following the Porsche Carrera World Cup race, Porsche takes on the Nurburgring 24-hour race with the latest-generation 911 GT3 R Hybrid. ‘Version 2.0’ features a flywheel accumulator hybrid system that is 20 percent lighter than last year; a weight saving that targets the same lap times as its predecessor, but with even less fuel consumption, resulting in fewer pit stops for fuel. The general layout of the hybrid engine remains the same; however, the output of the electric motors increases from 60 to 75 kilowatts each, or from approximately 80 to 100 horsepower per motor.
Driving the 911 GT3 R Hybrid 2.0, will be
Patrick Long (USA),
Richard Lietz (AUS)
and Marco Holzer (GER).
The trio claimed the first win for the 911 GT3 R Hybrid 2.0 at the VLN 4-hour Nurburgring Long Distance Championship on May 30.
To show their enthusiasm for Porsche motorsports, racing fans can order t-shirts, including a shirt with Melanie Snow’s motto “Some Girls Chase Boys, I Pass Them,” hats and a special edition limited run die-cast model of her 911 GT3 Cup car will be available at http://shop4.porsche.com/usa/ later this month.
In addition to featuring photos and videos posted by the on-site Porsche employee team, “The Hub” will also serve as a Porsche motorsports history destination, including historic racing images from Porsche archives and Porsche motorsports milestones.
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (PCNA), based in Atlanta, Ga. is the exclusive U.S. importer of Porsche sports cars, the Cayenne SUV and Panamera Sedan. Established in 1984, it is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Porsche AG, which is headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, and employs approximately 220 people who provide parts, service, marketing and training for 195 dealers. They, in turn, work to provide Porsche customers with a best-in-class experience that is in keeping with the brand’s 63-year history and leadership in the advancement of vehicle performance, safety and efficiency. At the core of this success is Porsche’s proud racing heritage that boasts some 30,000 motorsport wins to date.
Stuttgart. Last year’s winners narrowly missed out on the podium at the 79th running of the long distance classic.
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Team Felbermayr-Proton: Richard Lietz, Marc Lieb, Wolf Henzler
After 24 hours, the Felbermayr-Proton team with Porsche works drivers
Marc Lieb (Germany),
Richard Lietz (Austria)
and Wolf Henzler (Germany) received the flag as fourth in the GTE Pro sports car class.
The French IMSA Performance Matmut squad clinched fifth place ahead of Flying Lizard Motorsports from the USA.
The 911 of the Belgian ProSpeed Competition team crossed the finish line
at the Le Mans 24 Hours in eighth.
In the GTE Am class, where only one professional race driver is permitted per vehicle and only last year’s vehicles are eligible to race, the French Larbre Competition team celebrated second place with the 911 GT3 RSR.
“All of our teams took off into the race well prepared. Under the most difficult circumstances, the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR proved to be enormously durable and reliable. Unfortunately our teams had to cope with two accidents. You could clearly see the performance differences that are a direct result of the current Balance of Performance ratings. Unfortunately the fastest 911 GT3 RSR were affected by the phenomenon that they couldn’t turn the number of laps per set of tyres that were calculated which meant some extra pit stops for tyre changes. Under these conditions we can be satisfied with the results – especially in the GTE Am class where our team claimed a spot on the podium. I congratulate all the teams, drivers and partners who have contributed to this good result.”
Like in 2010, the best-placed Porsche crew put in a brilliant drive with high reliability in all areas. Drivers Marc Lieb, Richard Lietz and Wolf Henzler drove an immaculate race that was punctuated by many accidents and safety car phases. Only in the early stages of the race, the team lost more than one lap, first at the red light on the exit of the pitlane, then due to tyre damage which also required repairs to the car body.
Other than that, the blue 911 GT3 RSR only came into the pits for tyre changes and refuelling. Under the leadership of team boss Christian Ried, the pit crew of the Felbermayr-Proton team again shone with very fast pit stops.
Porsche works driver Patrick Pilet (France) also lost time in the jam at the red light of the pitlane exit. Shortly before midnight, Pilet and his driver colleagues, team owner Raymond Narac and his French compatriot Nicolas Armindo were ranking eighth in the GTE Pro class.
With consistent lap times and a perfectly-running 911, the trio with the two seasoned Le Mans campaigners Pilet and Narac and the 24 hour rookie Armindo fought their way up to fifth place.
The pilots of Flying Lizard Motorsports can look back on a lively marathon.
In the opening phase of the race, the set-up was not perfect, and they also had to contend with tyre damage. For a while, works drivers Joerg Bergmeister (Germany) and Patrick Long (USA) as well as Lucas Luhr (Germany) held a promising fourth place, only to fall back to eighth with technical problems.
After a difficult race, the trio were satisfied to finally bring home sixth place.
Fight to the finish – that was also the motto of the Belgian squad.
Works driver Marco Holzer (Germany), Belgium’s Marc Goossens and Jaap van Lagen from the Netherlands had all but worked their way nearly into the lead after the first third of the race but finally finished in eighth place after losing time with two minor repair stops.
The untiring mechanics of ProSpeed Competition received a very special honour:
They won the “Prix ESCRA”, an award that has been endowed for the 36th time to the best pit crew of the entire race.
In the GTE Am category, Larbre Competition were thrilled with second place in a 2010-spec 911 manned by the all-French line up of Christophe Bourret, Pascal Gibon und Jean-Philippe Belloc.
Two 911 GT3 RSR retired after accidents that were not their fault. One of those affected was the sister car of Felbermayr-Proton. Suffering tyre damage Abdulaziz Al Faisal (Saudi Arabia) flew from the track in the fast Indianapolis corner.
Al Faisal
Luckily, Al Faisal climbed out uninjured, but the Pro-911, which he shared with Nick Tandy (Great Britain) and Bryce Miller (USA), was so badly damaged that the team was unable to repair it.
Horst Felbermayr Senior (Team Proton Competition)
Contesting the GTE Am class, Horst Felbermayr Senior (Team Proton Competition) fell victim to an opponent at 8.00 a.m. when his 911 GT3 RSR was hit hard on the driver’s side.The Austrian was transported to hospital for a medical examination.
Result Le Mans 24 Hours GTE Pro class
1. Garcia/Milner/Beretta (E/USA/MC), Chevrolet Corvette C6 ZR1, 314 laps
2. Fisichella/Bruni/Vilander (I/I/FIN), Ferrari 458 Italia, 314
3. Priaulx/Müller/Hand (GB/D/USA), BMW M3 GT, 313 4. Lieb/Lietz/Henzler (D/A/D), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 312 5. Pilet/Narac/Armindo (F/F/F), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 311 6. Bergmeister/Long/Luhr (D/USA/D), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 310 8. Holzer/Goossens/van Lagen (D/B/NL), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 293
GTE Am class
1. Gardel/Canal/Bornhauser (CH/F/F), Chevrolet Corvette C6-ZR1, 302 laps 2. Bourret/Gibon/Belloc (F/F/F), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 301
Facts and figures
This is the Le Mans 24 Hours
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With grid line-up of 55 vehicles, the 24 Hours of Le Mans consists of two different sports car categories: sports prototypes and modified standard sports cars. The technical regulations of the European Le Mans Series (LMS) and the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) correspond to those of the 24 hour race. All race cars start together in Le Mans; there is an overall classification and a classification for individual classes.
Stuttgart. Porsche’s customer teams have an eventful night behind them. With five hours to go until the finish of one of the toughest Le Mans races in history, the teams in the GTE Pro class currently sit in positions three, four, seven and eight.
Piloting the best-placed 911 GT3 RSR are the winning trio from last year. Porsche’s factory pilots Marc Lieb (Germany), Richard Lietz (Austria) and Wolf Henzler (Germany) fought their way through the field to now rank third thanks to the reliability of their 911, the perfect work of the drivers and the swift pit stops of the Felbermayr-Proton crew.
“I can’t remember the last time I experienced so many accidents at a Le Mans race,” said Marc Lieb, the two-time GT class winner of the Le Mans 24 Hours. “I don’t find it okay that many of the drivers are so extremely aggressive. Luckily we had no problems in the night and we are hoping for a podium finish.”
The drivers of the French IMSA Performance Matmut 911 can thank their fourth place at 10 a.m. to the fact that the night hours ran smoothly. Works driver Patrick Pilet, team owner Raymond Narac and Carrera Cup champion Nicolas Armindo (all France) all put in double stints. As planned, the brake pads were changed once.
Le Mans newcomer Armindo was surprised at the harshness of the competitors in the more powerful classes.
“Sometimes it seems we are completely invisible to them when they are lapping us,” says Armindo. “They drive as if we weren’t even there.”
After leading for quite some time, the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR fielded by the American Flying Lizard Motorsports team lost an excellent fourth place within striking distance of the podium six hours before the finish. Works drivers Joerg Bergmeister (Germany), Patrick Long (USA) and seasoned racer Lucas Luhr (Germany) share driving duties in double stints and are doing a faultless job. However, due to a problem in the engine electrics, the 911 was forced to take an unscheduled pit stop and fell back from fourth to eighth position.
The Belgian ProSpeed Competition squad experienced a problem free start to the race only to suffer a sitback while lying in a promising fourth. A small leak in the water cooling system made repairs necessary in the early morning hours, which relegated works driver Marco Holzer (Germany), Marc Goossens (Belgium) and Jaap van Lagen (Netherlands) back down the field. Extreme bad luck plagued the second driver trio of Felbermayr-Proton. Suffering tyre damage Abdulaziz Al Faisal (Saudi Arabia) flew from the track in the fast Indianapolis corner. The Pro-911, which he shares with Nick Tandy (Great Britain) and Bryce Miller (USA), was so badly damaged that the team was unable to repair it. Luckily, Al Faisal climbed out uninjured.
Contesting the GTE Am class, Horst Felbermayr Senior (Team Proton Competition) fell victim to an opponent at 8.00 a.m. when his 911 was hit hard on the driver’s side of the 911 GT3 RSR. The Austrian was transported to hospital for an examination. In the same class, a 2010-spec 911 GT3 RSR fielded by the French Larbre Competition team currently ranks second.
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Facts and figures
This is the Le Mans 24 Hours
With grid line-up of 55 vehicles, the 24 Hours of Le Mans consists of two different sports car categories: sports prototypes and modified standard sports cars. The technical regulations of the European Le Mans Series (LMS) and the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) correspond to those of the 24 hour race. All race cars start together in Le Mans; there is an overall classification and a classification for individual classes.
The four classes in Le Mans: GTE Pro class: The most popular class of car manufacturers (formerly run as the GT2 class) is traditionally the best supported: Modified sports cars with up to 500 hp and a minimum weight of 1,245 kilograms. GTE Am class: Like the GTE-Pro, but with the 2010-vehicle specifications. Moreover, the regulations stipulate that each vehicle must have one professional driver at the most. LMP1 class: Sports prototypes with up to 550 hp and a 900 kilogram minimum weight. LMP2 class: Sports prototypes of around 440 hp, GT-class homologated engines and a 900 kg minimum weight.
Stuttgart. The opening eight hours of the long distance classic brought mixed fortunes for the five Porsche customer teams.
The Belgian ProSpeed Competition squad made the best start to the race. After completing the first third of the distance, Porsche works driver Marco Holzer (Germany), Marc Goossens (Belgium) and Jaap van Lagen (Netherlands) rank third in the GTE Pro sports car class in the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR.
Flying Lizard Motorsports (USA) follows with factory pilots Joerg Bergmeister (Germany) and Patrick Long (USA) as well as seasoned campaigner Lucas Luhr (Germany) sitting sixth in the strongest-supported class of the 24 hour race.
Driving for the Felbermayr-Proton squad, last year’s winners Marc Lieb (Germany), Richard Lietz (Austria) and Wolf Henzler (Germany) were thrown far back down the field with two mishaps and are now fighting their way through the pack.
An hour before midnight, the Porsche works drivers lie tenth in the GTE Pro class.
“After refuelling we waited for ages for the lights to turn green at the pit exit during the safety car phase,” explains Marc Lieb. “Once we rejoined the race the car suffered tyre damage – I must have picked something up. Unfortunately it happened in the first chicane, that’s about 10 kilometres from the pits.”
Lieb returned to the pits on his rim and lost more time when the crew found that part of the body had also been damaged.
The ProSpeed Competition team are feeling cautiously optimistic.
“The first eight hours ran smoothly,” reported Marco Holzer.
The 22-year-old was a Le Mans rookie last year and now has the role of team leader. For Jaap van Lagen this marks a premiere on the demanding 13.629 kilometre track.
“I know exactly how this feels,” says Holzer. “You need quite some time to find a rhythm and to trust the car and your own ability. Our 911 is running well, the team’s pit stops are super. Our goal is to keep out of any trouble.”
The American Flying Lizard Motorsports team also faced tyre problems. Early on in the race, Joerg Bergmeister fell victim to tyre damage.
“My first stint was difficult because the set-up wasn’t one hundred percent,” said Bergmeister. “We then made a few changes and now the balance is much better. We can’t quite match the pace of the front-runners but we’re looking ahead. We can build on sixth place.”
Heading into the night, the French IMSA Performance Matmut team was not particularly pleased with their eighth place.
Works driver Patrick Pilet was also held up long at the red lights of the pit exit.
“It was really dumb,” complained the Frenchman. “But I had to come in to refuel otherwise I would have been stranded out there. The traffic on the track is brutal and the prototype drivers are at times very aggressive. Nicolas Armindo is a newcomer in our team, but he’s a very controlled driver.” Third in the group is an experienced Le Mans contender, team owner Raymond Narac (France).
The second Felbermayr-911 ranks 13th in the GTE Pro class after eight hours. At the wheel are Le Mans debutant Nick Tandy (Great Britain) and Abdulaziz Al Faisal (Saudi Arabia) as well as American Bryce Miller, who contested the endurance classic last year.
In the GTE Am sports car class, in which only one professional race driver is permitted per vehicle, Larbre Competition lies in a excellent first place with their 911 GT3 RSR in last year’s specification (as stipulated by the regulations for this class). The sister 911 of Flying Lizard Motorsports has settled in to fourth place, with the Proton Competition drivers currently sitting in sixth.
Facts and figures
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This is the Le Mans 24 Hours
With grid line-up of 55 vehicles, the 24 Hours of Le Mans consists of two different sports car categories: sports prototypes and modified standard sports cars. The technical regulations of the European Le Mans Series (LMS) and the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) correspond to those of the 24 hour race. All race cars start together in Le Mans; there is an overall classification and a classification for individual classes.
The four classes in Le Mans: GTE Pro class: The most popular class of car manufacturers (formerly run as the GT2 class) is traditionally the best supported: Modified sports cars with up to 500 hp and a minimum weight of 1,245 kilograms. GTE Am class: Like the GTE-Pro, but with the 2010-vehicle specifications. Moreover, the regulations stipulate that each vehicle must have one professional driver at the most. LMP1 class: Sports prototypes with up to 550 hp and a 900 kilogram minimum weight. LMP2 class: Sports prototypes of around 440 hp, GT-class homologated engines and a 900 kg minimum weight.
Source: Images of the 24 Hours of Le Mans Porsche AG Press Database
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Stuttgart. The first step is taken with success. Porsche customer teams from all over Europe and the USA have secured good grid positions after the qualifying sessions for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Flying Lizard Motorsports (l.-r.): Jörg Bergmeister, Lucas Luhr, Patrick Long, Seth Neiman, Spencer Pumpelly, Darren Law
The fastest Porsche driver, works pilot Marc Lieb (Germany), planted the Felbermayr 911 GT3 RSR on seventh in the GTE Pro class. Lieb competes for last year’s winning team with works drivers Richard Lietz (Austria) and Wolf Henzler (Germany). Four other 2011-spec 911 GT3 RSR take up the race in the GTE Pro category. In the GTE Am class, three 911 GT3 RSR from last year take off into the 79th edition of the long distance classic on Saturday at 15.00 hours from positions two, three and four.
(l.-r.): Marc Lieb, Richard Lietz, Wolf Henzler
“We’re satisfied with our preparations and are feeling confident for the race,” said two-time Le Mans winner Marc Lieb. “In the practice sessions, we managed to find a good set-up for our 911 for the challenges of this marathon and the very special, highly demanding race track.”
Richard Lietz, who has also notched up two wins at the world’s toughest automobile race, added:
“The handling of our 911 GT3 RSR is neutral and comfortable. This means that the car tends neither towards oversteer nor understeer. This works in favour of Marc, Wolf and I because our driving styles are similar.”
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Team Felbermayr-Proton
The crew of the #75 Porsche 911 GT3 RSR also finished the qualifying without problems. Porsche factory pilot Marco Holzer (Germany) clinched the ninth grid spot for the ProSpeed Competition squad.
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Prospeed Competition (l.-r.): Marc Goossens, Jaap van Lagen, Marco Holzer
(l.-r.): Jaap van Lagen, Marco Holzer, Marc Goossens
“Today we worked on our race set-up,” said Holzer. “Yes, we were faster yesterday but our car was rather twitchy, and that wouldn’t have been optimal over the race distance. There are a couple of damn fast corners here in Le Mans so you need a car that you can trust. And now we have that car.”
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Prospeed Competition: Marc Goossens, Marco Holzer, Jaap van Lagen
Joining forces with the 22-year-old is Le Mans veteran Marc Goossens (Bel-gium) as well as Le Mans rookie Jaap van Lagen (Netherlands).
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Flying Lizard Motorsports: Jörg Bergmeister, Patrick Long, Lucas Luhr
A damaged damper and an accident threw the schedule of the Flying Lizard Motorsports into disarray.
“Because of the faulty shock absorber we worked in the wrong direction for a long time during yesterday’s practice session,” explained Porsche works driver Joerg Bergmeister (Germany). “Then we lost time when a competitor spun and I couldn’t avoid him. The repairs were extensive. We decided to forget about turning an extra qualifying lap and instead we concentrated totally on finding a set-up.”
(l.-r.): Jörg Bergmeister, Patrick Long, Lucas Luhr
Bergmeister takes up the marathon on Saturday with his works driver colleague Patrick Long (USA)
Lucas Luhr
and Germany’s Lucas Luhr from 12th position in the GTE Pro class.
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Team Felbermayr-Proton: Nick Tandy, Abdulaziz Al Faisal, Bryce Miller
Grid position 14 went to Nick Tandy in the second 911 GT3 RSR fielded by Felbermayr-Proton. The Briton currently leads the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup series as well as the German Carrera Cup, but this marks his first race in Le Mans. His teammates are Abdulaziz Al Faisal from Saudi Arabia and Bryce Miller from the USA.
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, IMSA Performance Matmut (l.-r.): Patrick Pilet, Raymond Narac, Nicolas Armindo
The French IMSA Performance Matmut squad had counted on a better grid position than 16th. Still, after team owner Raymond Narac’s accident during the first free practice, Porsche works driver Patrick Pilet, Narac and Le Mans newcomer Nicolas Armindo (all France) could only begin their set-up work this afternoon and therefore lag be-hind.
(l.-r.): Raymond Narac, Nicolas Armindo, Patrick Pilet
In the GTE Am sports car class, Austrian Horst Felbermayr Junior qualified the 911 GT3 RSR of Proton Competition on second place. His teammates are Horst Felber-mayr Senior and team owner Christian Ried (Germany).
(l.-r.): Horst Felbermayr Sr., Christian Ried, Horst Felbermayr Jr.
Position three was snatched by Larbre Competition’s
Grid spot four in the GTE Am class went to Americans Seth Neiman, Darren Law and Spencer Pumpelly from the Flying Lizard Motorsports team.
(l.-r.): Spencer Pumpelly, Seth Neiman, Darren Law
Porsche’s head of motorsport, Hartmut Kristen, praised the teams’ professional preparations for the race.
“They all worked hard to find an optimal set-up. Taking the Balance of Performance into account, the teams made the most out of what was possible.”
The race gets the green light at 15.00 hours on Saturday, 11th June. Television stations Eurosport and Eurosport 2 broadcast the race alternately around the clock with 15 hours of live coverage shown on the main station, Eurosport.
Result Qualifying GTE Am
1. Perazzini/Cioci/Breslin (I/I/D), Ferrari F430, 4:21.015 minutes
2. Ried/Felbermayr Jr./Felbermayr Sen. (D/A/A), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, + 2.250 seconds
3. Bourret/Gibon/Belloc (F/F/F), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, + 2.366
4. Neiman/Law/Pumpelly (USA/USA/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, + 2.636
Facts and figures
This is the Le Mans 24 Hours
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
With a grid line-up of 55 vehicles, the 24 Hours of Le Mans consists of two different sports car categories: sports prototypes and modified standard sports cars. The technical regulations of the European Le Mans Series (LMS) and the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) correspond to those of the 24 hour race. All race cars start to-gether in Le Mans; there is an overall classification and a classification for individual classes.
The four classes in Le Mans: GTE Pro class: The most popular class of car manufacturers (formerly run as the GT2 class) is traditionally the best supported: Modified sports cars with up to 500 hp and a minimum weight of 1,245 kilograms. GTE Am class: Like the GTE-Pro, but with the 2010-vehicle specifications. More-over, the regulations stipulate that each vehicle must have one professional driver at the most. LMP1 class: Sports prototypes with up to 550 hp and a 900 kilogram minimum weight. LMP2 class: Sports prototypes of around 440 hp, GT-class homologated engines and a 900 kg minimum weight.
Baden-Württemberg’s new prime minister in consultation with Stuttgart sports car manufacturer
Winfried Kretschmann Baden-Württemberg’s New Prime Minister & Matthias Müller, CEO of Dr. Ing hc F. Porsche AG Photo: Porsche AG Database
Stuttgart. Baden-Württemberg’s new prime minister Winfried Kretschmann is visiting at the invitation of Matthias Müller, CEO of Dr. Ing hc F. Porsche AG, the parent company of the sports car manufacturer in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen.
During an extensive tour of the production of the Porsche 911 and Boxster / Cayman, the Prime Minister also spoke with staff and trainees of the company.
Winfried Kretschmann Baden-Württemberg’s New Prime Minister & Matthias Müller, CEO of Dr. Ing hc F. Porsche AGPhoto: Porsche AG Database
“This first exchange is a good start for an intense and above all constructive dialogue with the Prime Minister and his government,” said chief executive Mueller said: “I am confident that with the necessary understanding for each other together to further strengthen the automotive state of Baden- Württemberg and help expand its international significance.”
Winfried Kretschmann Baden-Württemberg’s New Prime Minister & Matthias Müller, CEO of Dr. Ing hc F. Porsche AG Photo: Porsche AG Database
Kretschmann Prime Minister said: “The visit to the Porsche AG was in a very harmonious atmosphere and gave me a deep insight into the company granted. Porsche is certainly one of the great success stories of our country.”
He was able to obtain get an idea of the performance and the quality awareness of the company, said Kretschmann. With the Boxster with electric drive, which is now being implemented as a prototype, and with the first hybrid models Porsche show that even in the luxury segment more fuel efficient options are possible.
Winfried Kretschmann Baden-Württemberg’s New Prime Minister & Matthias Müller, CEO of Dr. Ing hc F. Porsche AG Photo: Porsche AG Database
“Porsche is right to build in the premium segment cars that use less fuel, thereby harming the environment less. I am firmly convinced that the company Porsche is overcome with his broad technical expertise, its highly qualified staff and its ability to innovate the new challenges,”said the Prime Minister.
Source: Porsche AG Database
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Corporate Press
Dirk Erat
It was the first German aircraft to be built in any significant numbers after the Second World War: a classic aircraft of the type “Pützer Elster B” has been extensively restored with the assistance of the Porsche Museum and will now have the mission of representing the museum at airshows as its “flying ambassador”.
There are close historic ties between the Porsche Museum and the “Elster” (magpie): the Porsche aeroengine Type 678 was tested in this aircraft type at the end of the 1950s. The engine of the Porsche 356 was used not only as a drive for the first German post-war sports car, but also the first German aircraft engine production.
After extensive restoration lasting three years under Project Manager and owner Jürgen Gassebner, a “Pützer Elster B” has been restored to its former splendor. The restorers invested over 1,000 hours in giving the flying machine a thorough overhaul. Particular attention was paid to reconditioning original parts as thoroughly as possible, to minimize the need for new parts.
Tradition of care in the air: vintage aircraft promotes the Porsche Museum
Stuttgart. Not only on land but also in the air, operates the museum of Dr. Ing hc F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, maintaining tradition.
A vintage aircraft of the type “Pützer Elster B” from 1963 and was extensively restored with Porsche support, and will continue to advertise as a “flying ambassador” for the museum.
Between the Porsche Museum and the “Magpie”, marked D-ElkY from 1963 is a close historical reference: Coinciding with the Porsche 356 was the “Magpie” is the first built in any significant quantity German engine aircraft after the Second World War.
Moreover, that aircraft type in 1957, the Porsche 678 type aircraft engine tested. This four-cylinder boxer engine was based on the drive of the Porsche 356 and was built in the late 50s to a whole aircraft engine program with launch services for up to 75 hp.
Ancestor of the aircraft type “Magpie” was the famous glider double Raab, “from which the aircraft maker Alfons Pützer with Fritz Raab, first developed the motor ship” Motor Raab, a little later – using the double-Raab-wings – after the prototype “Elster A to develop. ”
This was driven in 1957 by a strong 52 hp engine from the Porsche-type 678th Due to increased demands on the flight performance was the “Elster B” later the 95 horsepower Rolls-Royce Continental engine, type C-90 12 and 14 F. From this vintage aircraft that the KG Alfons Pützer constructed in 1957, are now only ten aircraft at LBA approved.
In the extensive, three-year long overhaul of the “magpie” the Restoration invested over 1,000 hours of work. Special emphasis was placed on work up original parts as possible to dispense with the installation of new parts as much as possible. Thus, in addition to the motor and the electronic equipment on board, called the avionics have been updated. Also received the wood airplane has a fully renovated interior and a proper overhaul of the cell, so the wings and the fuselage.
“Magpie” now with a new and classically modern painting: by the renowned Stuttgart designer Wolfgang Seidl developed design concept was quoted as traditional Porsche colors red, white and gray is the classic race car design from the 50s and 60s.
On the wings as well as the lettering on the fuselage has the Porsche Museum in the historical relationship between Porsche and the “Magpie” out.
In future, stationed in the Swabian Heubach Magpie D ElkY ” seen as a flying ambassador for the Porsche Museum at numerous vintage air shows. This museum pays tribute once again the engineering achievements of the company founder Professor Ferdinand Porsche. For over 100 years ago, he developed as Austro-Daimler chief designer in addition to automotive engines and aircraft engines successfully.
PICTURES: Porsche AG Database
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Astrid Böttinger
As well as the engine, the electronic equipment on board – known as the avionics – was replaced. The wooden aircraft’s interior was also given full restoration treatment and the airframe, in other words the wings and fuselage, were expertly overhauled. The “Elster” also sports a modern, fresh design: the design concept created by renowned Stuttgart designer Wolfgang Seidl gives a nod to classic Porsche racing car design of the 1950s and 1960s in adopting the traditional Porsche colours red, white and grey. Both the wings and the fuselage itself are emblazoned with the Porsche Museum logo.
After three years of work the Puetzer Elster B D-ELKY took off for its first flight in Porsche colours and branding.
Economic miracle – the 356 runs like hot cakes.
Even in the automotive sector, where well-heeled in those days with the Porsche 356 at prices of around 12,000 .- Mark up can buy the first German sports car. And they do it diligently. The 356 sold like hot cakes, the known, and so roll this year, 4529 copies in Zuffenhausen assembly line.
Porsche is going really well, and Germany experiencing prosperity, at least in parts of the population. A simple employee earned in those days, however, only 250 marks a month. That will have a wife and family. As is to think of a Porsche 356 almost. While automobiles, the very front of 356, followed by VW beetles, Lloyds and other four-wheeled motorbikes with NSU as the Max and the streets of Regina Horex rule, must settle for a small minority of people with dreams. Dreams of flying with airplanes, which had in its extreme forms, the likes of North American P-51 Mustang, a Spitfire, a Messerschmitt Bf 109 or the previous decade brought so much suffering to the world. Memories of Icarus come to mind, the crash and the death sentence of the gods for his grip after the sun had.
Aircraft engines as a new business field for Porsche.
So it is only plausible that where the Allies of Germany in the postwar period, almost everything – not only just flying. The Potsdam agreements seal 1945, the flight ban, which will consolidate the demilitarization of Germany. Only about six years after the war, at least, the construction and flying gliders allowed again. Only four years later, in 1955, with the Paris agreements Germany again to build aircraft engines and operate.
Sun in 1955, anything seems possible, especially at Porsche in Zuffenhausen and we quickly recognize that the four-cylinder boxer engine of the 356 is good not only for vehement propulsion in a sports car, but could also serve as a formidable power an aircraft. The slim, compact design makes it ideal Boxer almost to slip under a plane-Cowling, and then make the Porsche engineers are working the 356-engine flying to teach.
The starting point for the first engine of the 356 had been delivered by the Porsche design office in 1938 and 1940 designed VW boxer engine with central camshaft, push rods and valves arranged in parallel. A design that is improved over the 356-company is a success and has become a powerful drive.
From this moment on D-ELKY is the PORSCHE MUSEUM’s official flying ambassador.
Flying ambassador of the Porsche Museum.
At the meeting in the Swabian Heubach, restored over a period of three years and 1,000 hours Elster B hits with the serial number 32 from the year 1963 therefore, a Porsche 356 B Super 90 from 1963. Quite the contrast to the first, 40-hp 356 with 1.1-liter engine of 1951, so that already at least 185 km / h “peak” and Porsche-typical sports-car performance possible.
With a maximum speed of 180 mph and a cruising speed of 142 km / h at 75 percent power marks the Elster B, the perfect matching flying counterpart.
Much like the posh restored 356 B of the Porsche Museum exudes the luxury of its interior in the 50s and 60s. Stitched gray genuine leather combined with walnut wood and a lot of glittering chrome and polished aluminum. As noble a magpie B was never so at the time, but it was for basic training in the Air Force, the Air sports groups in the armed forces and the training and the glider tow was built in clubs.
The historical connection between Porsche and Pützer is to the restoration team can be here to give full attention to detail, and so every little part not only once or twice, but assessed as long review, and possibly obsolete and refurbished is met by the claim of the highest quality.
On 25 and 26 June 2011, Aerospace and Porsche fans will be at the air shows in Schwäbisch Hall in their element. Heubach fly out of the magpie, and some machines with PFM3200 Porsche engine in the association are to Schwäbisch Hall.
On the ground, the planes form an attractive display with Porsche automobiles. The range that extends from the center of Schwäbisch Gmünd PORSCHE vehicle provided while classic cars like the Porsche 356 Cabriolet to current models like the 911 GT3 RS. Also is the team of 9ELF Dutt’s Motorsport in the ADAC GT Masters race cars used by the 911 GT3 R with 480 hp.
Not only on land but also in the air, operates the Museum of Dr. Ing hc F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, maintaining tradition.
A vintage aircraft of the type “Pützer Elster B” from 1963 and was extensively restored with Porsche support, and will continue to advertise as a “flying ambassador” for the Porsche Museum.
Between the Porsche Museum and the “Magpie”, marked D-ElkY from 1963 is a close historical reference: Coinciding with the Porsche 356 was the “Magpie” is the first built in any significant quantity German engine aircraft after the Second World War.
Moreover, that aircraft type in 1957, the Porsche 678 type aircraft engine tested. This four-cylinder boxer engine was based on the drive of the Porsche 356 and was built in the late 50s to a whole aircraft engine program with launch services for up to 75 hp.
Since September 2010 the Puetzer Elster B D-ELKY is the PORSCHE MUSEUM’s official flying ambassador. Its design was transferred to 9ELF Team’s 911 GT3 R.
Stuttgart. The museum of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, has passed the million visitor mark just two and a half years after opening:
Today, museum director Achim Stejskal welcomed not just one, but 13 school children from India as jubilee guests. “We are very pleased to have been able to surprise these Indian boys and girls from Mumbai,” explained Achim Stejskal. “Almost 35 percent of our visitors are guests from other countries. Fascination for the Porsche brand and its history continues undiminished, all around the world.”
Museum director Achim Stejskal invited the class from Mumbai to take a look behind the scenes: In the museum workshop, which is not normally accessible to visitors, the school children were able to take a seat in a 1954 Porsche 550 Spyder. At the end of their visit, the young jubilee guests received a very special surprise: The Porsche Museum is to support their school project. The boys and girls construct a well in a village close to their school.
Since its opening on 31 January 2009, the Porsche Museum has provided more than 5,100 tours through the 5,600 m2 exhibition and hosted ten special exhibitions.
Many celebrities from all over the world, including Jerry Seinfeld, Paris Hilton, Jamiroquai, Robby Naish, Udo Lindenberg and Peter Maffay have also taken an interest in this historic vehicle collection on Porscheplatz.
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Tickets sold to date would stretch a total of 150 km from Stuttgart to Lake Constance. Furthermore, since then more than 300 classics from the museum’s collection have been travelling the world as rolling brand ambassadors, attending historic racing and classic car events.
Whitsun sees the Porsche Museum opening exclusively for its visitors with the current special exhibition “Ferdinand Porsche – Pioneer of the Hybrid Drive” running until Whit Monday, 13 June 2011.
The Museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 9 am to 6 pm. Entry costs € 8, € 4 for concessions. Children under the age of 14 go free when accompanied by an adult. Further information is available on the internet from www.porsche.com/museum.
SOURCE: Porsche Public Relations and Media Database
Porsche-Museum
Astrid Böttinger
Stuttgart. The Motorsport Newsletter regularly provides the latest information to keep you up updated on Porsche Motorsports all around the world.
Nürburgring
Porsche Intelligent Performance: First win for Hybrid race car on the ‘Ring’ With the further-developed Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid,
(l.-r.): Richard Lietz, Marco Holzer, Patrick Long
works drivers Marco Holzer, Richard Lietz and Patrick Long clinched the maiden win for a hybrid race car on the Nürburgring Nordschleife (28 May). Whilst almost all direct opponents needed three pit stops to refuel at the very fast four hour race, the innovative Porsche stopped only twice, providing the decisive advantage in the race.
Spain
Blancpain Endurance Series: Porsche trio stays at the top
With third overall at the second race of the new European GT series held on the northern Spanish track in Navarra (22 May),
(l.-r.): Raffaele Giammaria, Gianluca Roda, Paolo Ruberti
Porsche Cup winner Gianluca Roda as well as Paolo Ruberti and Raffaele Giammaria held on to their points’ lead. After three hours and 102 laps on the 3.9 kilometre circuit, the Italian trio saw the flag 25 seconds off the winner in a 911 GT3 R of Autorlando Sport. Roda and his teammates had won the first race in Monza.
France
French GT Championship: Beltoise and Pasquali defend points’ lead
Scoring third place twice at round three of the French GT Championship in Dijon-Prenois (13/15 May), Anthony Beltoise and Laurent Pasquali defended their position at the top of the table in a 911 GT3 R fielded by Pro-GT by Almeras. Title defenders Patrick Bornhauser and Laurent Groppi finished race one ranking second in Larbre Compétition’s 911 GT3 R.
Australia
Australian GT Championship: two weekends, two Porsche wins
David Wall is the overall winner of the third race weekend on the Eastern Creek Raceway (28/29 May) west of Sydney. The reigning GT champion planted a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup S on second place in race one on Saturday and won Sunday’s partly wet race. At the second race meeting in Winton (21/22 May) north of Melbourne, the overall winner of the weekend was Dean Grant in a 911 GT3 Cup S run by Vodka O Racing.
Spain
Porsche Mobil1 Supercup: Perfect Monaco weekend for the champion
Pole position, fastest race lap, light to flag win: perfect outcome for reigning champion René Rast in the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup of VELTINS Lechner Racing at round three in Monaco (29 May).
Britain’s Nick Tandy snatched the series’ lead with second after the 16-lap sprint. Victory at round two in Barcelona (22 May) went to Tandy’s compatriot Sean Edwards.
Nick Tandy – René Rast – Sean Edwards
Asia
Carrera Cup Asia: Four straight wins for Alexandre Imperatori
At the second race weekend in China’s Zhuhai (27/29 May) it was 24-year-old newcomer Alexandre Imperatori all the way. With these two victories in the 911 GT3 Cup of the StarChase squad, the Swiss-German has now proved unbeatable after four wins in succession.
Twice, Keita Sawa brought his 2010-spec GT3 Cup home in second. Rodolfo Avila from Macau secured the last podium spot for himself to now rank second on the points’ table.
Netherlands
Carrera Cup Deutschland: Home win for Bleekemolen, inspired show from Tandy
Jeroen Beekemolen (Team Deutsche Post by tolimit) from the Netherlands scored a clear lights-to-flag victory at round two in Zandvoort. Second place went to Martin Ragginger, 3.3 seconds adrift of Bleekemolen.
(l.-r.): Martin Ragginger, Jeroen Bleekemolen, Nick Tandy
However, the hero of the 19-lap sprint on the dune circuit was Nick Tandy.
Taking up the race from the last grid spot, the Briton made a bolt through the field to finish in third. With this, the winner of the season-opener retained his points’ lead.
France
Carrera Cup France: Kevin Estre again scores a double win
The dominant driver at the third race weekend was again Kevin Estre in the 911 GT3 Cup of AS Events. With two victories and the lap record at both races (15 May) on the swiftest track of the year in Dijon-Prenois, Estre extended his lead. After a double victory in Nogaro (24 April), the Frenchman has now been unbeaten at the last four races.
Italy
Carrera Cup Italia: Maiden win for Marco Mapelli, Balzan defends points’ lead
Reigning champion Alessandro Balzan celebrated his second win of the season at round three in the Autodromo di Franciacorta near Brescia in northern Italy in an Ebimotors’ 911 GT3 Cup.
Allessandro Balzan
The second race of the weekend (14/15 May) went to his 23-year-old teammate Marco Mapelli.
Marco Mapelli
Last year, Mapelli won the Cup class of the Italian GT Championship and now contests his first Carrera Cup Italia season.
Japan
Carrera Cup Japan: Hideto Yasuoka proves invincible
Hideto Yasuoka
Victory at the 2010 finale, victory at race one of 2011 in Fuji. And now first at both races in Okayama (21/22 May): Hideto Yasuoka, a young emerging driver supported by Porsche Japan, has a strong grip on his rivals.
Behind the vice-champion, who took off from pole position and turned the fastest race lap twice in Okayama came Akira in second place.
Scandinavia
Carrera Cup Scandinavia: Robin Rudholm hits the ground running
With three straight wins at the third race weekend in Sweden’s Mantorp (21/22 May)
(l.-r.): Linus Ohlsson, Robin Rudholm, Johan Kristoffersson
reigning champion Robin Rudholm (31, Xlander Racing) increased his points’ lead slightly over 22-year-old Johan Kristoffersson (Kristoffersson Motorsport) and his 20-year-old teammate Linus Ohlsson.
Canada
GT3 Cup Challenge Canada: Gripping start of the 20th one-make race series
Two sprint races in the Calabogie Motorsports Park (14/15 May, Ontario) kicked off the first season of the GT3 Cup Challenge Canada.
Fending off a hefty attack from Marco Cirone, Speed Merchants/Fiorano Racing pilot Perry Bortolotti won both heats in the Platinum Cup class for current 911 GT3 Cup race cars.
GT3 Cup Challenge Canada, Ontario, P1: Perry Bortolotti
Both races of the Gold Cup class for older models went to Martin Harvey in the GT3 Cup fielded by Wingho Motorsports Racing/McDonalds.
Source: Porsche Press Database Public Relations and Media
Motor and Sports Press
Oliver Hilger
Basis for the first victory was certainly the lower consumption of the hybrid compared to the other cars.
At the fourth round of the VLN, the Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid celebrate the first victory – only two stops as the key to success
Less recharge, drive longer: this is the recipe for success of the enhanced Porsche 911 GT3 R hybrid.
With version 2.0, Porsche works driver Richard Lietz, Marco Holzer and Patrick Long drove in the fourth round of the Endurance Championship for the first victory of the hybrid race car from Weissach.
While almost all direct competitors stopped three times to refuel in the pits, the hybrid with just two stops, was victory and checkered flag for the Porsche hybrid.
The second race of the 911 GT3 R hybrid in the Endurance Championship in 2011 is the successful completion of the intensive preparation for the 24-hour race Nürburgring 25-26. June.
“We are using the technical specifications of the vehicle and the reliability of the hybrid system extremely satisfied,” saysPorsche head of motorsport Hartmut Kristen.
“We have over the competition a pit stop saving and go with less energy input from the outside similarly fast lap times. This is what we mean by Porsche Intelligent Performance. I am particularly pleased that even the 911 GT3 RSR by Manthey Racing the known efficiency of the Porsche 911 models could prove, and was number two. “
The focus of the development of the Porsche 911 GT3 R hybrid was clearly on the increase in efficiency. For this, the vehicle weight was reduced from 1,350 kg to 1,300, which even the hybrid components are involved. Their weight was reduced by 20 percent by direct optimization. The general hybrid layout was taken from the 2010 model.
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The power used in the portal axle two electric motors has been increased from every 60 to 75 kilowatts. Overall, the pilot of the 911 GT3 R Hybrid 2.0 seconds, an additional capacity of around 200 horsepower, which corresponds to a lap on the Nordschleife of an additional conventional capacity of approximately 23 kW (32 hp). The electric power is automatically supplied as programmed when the accelerator pedal.
In addition, the pilot, the hybrid-electric auxiliary power to retrieve it manually, for example when overtaking. While the portal axle drives the front wheels, was the 4.0-liter, now 465 hp six-cylinder boxer engine that delivers its power to the rear axle, cut back in power, and optimized in terms of fuel consumption.
“We ran like clockwork with hybrid penalty,” said Marco Holzer.
“The key to success was now near the low fuel consumption and reliable technology that all drivers were on a uniformly high level of the road and have made no mistakes,” added teammate Richard Lietz.
A trouble-free race also went to the yellow-green Porsche 911 GT3 RSR of the Manthey team.
With seven seconds behind occupied Lieb, Luhr and Dumas in second place.
“This was an almost perfect race. Unfortunately, our 911 GT3 R, the cockpit I’ve shared with Timo Bernhard and Romain Dumas, roughly by a competitor of the runway bowled,” said double starter Marc Lieb..
Oliver Hilger-Photo Porsche
Nürburgring Long Distance Championship PHOTOS: Porsche AG Press
Strong growth in April: Porsche reports a 53 per cent surge in customer deliveries Cayenne sales double and Panamera wins over even more buyers world-wide
FRANKFURT (Dow Jones)–German sportscar manufacturer Porsche Automobil Holding SE (PAH3.XE) said Tuesday its April global vehicle deliveries surged 53% on the year.
MAIN FACTS:
-In April 2011, customer deliveries rose to 11,741 vehicles world-wide.
-During the first four months of 2011, deliveries jumped nearly 32% from the year-earlier period.
-The new generation of the sporty Cayenne off-roader was the main driver of sales.
-With 19,175 deliveries from January to April, sales of this model have virtually doubled compared to the same period in the previous year.
-In Europe, April customer deliveries were up nearly 31% on the year.
-Frankfurt Bureau, Dow Jones Newswires; 49-69-29725-500
Stuttgart. Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, has made a good start in the spring:in April 2011, the sports car manufacturer showed an increase in customer deliveries to 11,741 vehicles world-wide.
This is a strong gain of 52.8 per cent over the same period in the previous year. Looking back on the first four months of the current financial year 2011, deliveries have jumped 31.5 per cent overall.
The main driving force behind this is the new generation of the sporty Cayenne off-roader. With 19,175 deliveries from January to April, sales of this model have virtually doubled compared to the same period in the previous year.
Bernhard Maier, Porsche AG Board of Management Member for Sales and Marketing, sees this as confirmation of the company‘s strategy:
“Every Porsche is the sportiest model in its segment. Our customers world-wide love the combination of performance and efficiency, such as in the new Panamera S Hybrid or 911 GT3 RS 4.0.”
Porsche has posted robust growth in all key sales regions. North America (USA and Canada), saw growth of 77.1 per cent in April, which is 3,495 vehicles more than the same month of the previous year. Of this, 3,172 vehicles (+ 81.5 %) were sold in the USA, which is traditionally the number 1 marketplace for Porsche.
In Europe, Porsche has reported a gain of 30.6 per cent in the fourth month of the year: exactly 3,896 more sporty vehicles were sold than in April 2010. In Germany, sales grew by 1,523 vehicles (+ 19.5 %). In Asia and in the rest of the world, sales rose by 56.5 per cent to 4,029 vehicles. China, now Porsche’s second most important market, reported continued growth; with 2,316 Porsche vehicles delivered, sales were up 48.8 per cent compared to April 2010.
The overall results for all four model series clearly reflect the positive development made by Porsche in the past month: 5,998 Cayenne models were sold, almost double the figure of the same month last year.
The Panamera as well, up 14.9 per cent with unit sales of 2,212, accounts for a significant share of Porsche’s success. In the sports car segment, the 911 almost matched the previous year’s level with 2,225 vehicles delivered (- 2.9%). Sales of Boxster series were down 8.7 per cent at 1,306 units. 762 vehicles were accounted for by the Boxster and 544 units by the Cayman.
Stuttgart.Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, is widening the top end of its Carrera model line and pairing up each of the two 911 Carrera GTS with an all-wheel drive twin. That means that the 911 Carrera 4 GTS Coupé and Cabriolet will combine the 408 hp (300 kW) top of the range engine of the Carrera GTS family with the intelligent, all-wheel drive Porsche Traction Management (PTM). Driving dynamics are not the only source of attraction. Economics are as well.
Thanks to Porsche Intelligent Performance the new all-wheel 911s consume no more than the equivalent Carrera 4S version, the Coupé remains at 11.0 l/100 km (25.7 mpg imp.) and the Cabriolet at 11.2 l/100 km (25.2 mpg imp.) respectively based on the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC). Moreover both of them boast an even more comprehensive standard equipment package compared with the Carrera 4S models.
The 911 Carrera 4 GTS power unit has its origins in the 3.8-litre, six-cylinder
Carrera S engine.
A wholesale revamping of the intake duct added 23 hp (17 kW), taking the power output to 408 hp (300 kW) at 7,300 rpm. The special aspiration system not only improves peak power output but flexibility and power development as well thanks to a more generous torque curve in the lower and middle engine speed range. 320 Newton metres kick in from as low as 1,500 rpm; the six-cylinder engine delivers its rated torque of 420 Nm in the broad engine speed range from 4,200 rpm and 5,600 rpm.
The sports exhaust system fitted as standard ensures a distinctly sporty sound. It invests the new Carrera 4 GTS with an unmistakable acoustic signature and the rear view of its tail pipe with its unique black surface design lends it a unique character.
At full power the Carrera 4 GTS Coupé sprints to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.6 seconds, the Cabriolet in 4.8 seconds.
The Carrera 4 GTS is fitted as standard with a six-speed manual transmission but the Porsche-Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) seven-speed is available as an option if desired.
The PDK shaves an additional 0.2 seconds respectively off the acceleration times from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph).
In the Carrera 4 GTS as well, PTM all-wheel drive stands for Porsche’s typical driving pleasure with even more driving stability, traction and agile handling.
What’s more, just how single-mindedly the Carrera 4 GTS is designed for driving dynamics is evident from the use of a standard limited-slip differential. This mechanical rear differential lock contributes to the driving dynamics of the electronically controlled all-wheel drive system.
The PTM achieves this by directing the optimal proportion of the engine torque to the front wheels via a multiple-plate clutch.
Visually, the new Carrera 4 GTS models with all-wheel drive differ in points of detail from earlier variants with rear-wheel drive: In addition to the type name on the doors and rear lid, the distinguishing characteristic of all models with all-wheel drive is the additional reflective stripe between the taillights. What the Carrera GTS models have in common is the 911’s wide body, otherwise reserved for the all-wheel version of the 911s, and the rear axle track width that goes with it.
In numerous other details as well the GTS models differ both visually and technically from the other Carrera models. For example, they run on 19 inch RS Spyder wheels in black with central locking and gloss-lathed rim flanges fitted with 305/30 ZR 19 tyres on the rear axle.
Additional visual features include the Sport-Design front apron with black painted spoiler lip and special side skirts, also in black. Driver and passenger are accommodated on sports seats.
Typical of the GTS, the emphatically sporty black Alcantara covering on centre panels, steering wheel rim, gearshift and handbrake lever, door handles and door storage box lid and extension are offered as standard in addition to a range of leather upholstery options.
The 911 Carrera 4 GTS Coupé, including country-specific equipment and VAT at 19 per cent, is offered in Germany at a price of 111,956 euro, the Cabriolet costs 122,071 euro. Both models will be on sale in Germany from July 2011.
New headquarters will house nearly all U.S. Porsche colleagues under one roof, including a dramatic customer experience center and test track
Porsche just gave Atlanta’s image a bit of a spit polish.
The decision to build a $100 million complex on the grounds of the former Ford assembly plant in Hapeville is not only a glitzy marketing move for the German carmaker, experts said, it is also a shiny endorsement of the city and state.
“This has marquee value,” said Don McEachern, president of North Star Destination Strategies of Nashville, a company that offers advice on reputations to cities. “It speaks volumes about Atlanta. You get the Porsche name and brand. You get the halo effect. It is nothing but good.”
And with Georgia still shakily emerging from a painful recession, Porsche provides more marketing glow for luring other companies to the area.The project will move Porsche’s North American headquarters from Sandy Springs, Ga., a northern suburb of Atlanta.
It will be comprised of modern office facilities for a workforce that will eventually number 400 employees, including a Technical Service and Training Center, as well as a leading-edge Customer Experience Center that will feature a handling road course to show-off the capabilities of Porsches industry-leading vehicles.
A layout of the test track planned for Porsche’s new headquarters in Atlanta. Click on photo.
Groundbreaking is planned for this fall with the move-in date scheduled for the second half of 2013.
The unparalleled nature of the Porsche ownership experience absolutely deserves an equally unique home. That is what well create with our new headquarters – a concept completely new to the U.S. automotive industry, and one that delivers our brand and product experience to our employees, dealers and customers alike, said Detlev von Platen, President and CEO of Porsche Cars North America.
Our new American headquarters will allow us to finally bring together all our major sales, after sales and financial services capacities, thus making us an even stronger organization. It also sends a strong message to our dealers and our customers that we believe in the strength of the U.S. market and its future growth, von Platen explained.
At the same time, this decision demonstrates our commitment to the State of Georgia and the City of Atlanta to remain a vital part of this vibrant region.
The decision to stay in Atlanta was the result of a thorough, more than one-year long search and evaluation process that spanned metropolitan Atlanta and several out-of-state sites. The new headquarters will not only be home to PCNA, but also to Porsche Financial Services, Inc., and Porsche Business Services, Inc. which are both currently located in Lisle, Illinois. Other Porsche businesses will also be included, building a solid foundation for further expansion of Porsches largest market worldwide.
We welcome the entire Porsche team to Atlantas newest corporate center, the innovative Aerotropolis complex, said Kasim Reed, the mayor of Atlanta. Porsches decision to reinforce its roots and grow its next-generation U.S. headquarters here is a testament to the vitality and vibrancy of our city and an exciting addition to the many iconic brands that also call Atlanta home.
The Porsche crest will be a perfect welcome sign to greet the hundreds of thousands of visitors and guests that land each day at the worlds busiest airport in Atlanta.
There’s no better place to live, work and play than Georgia, stated Nathan Deal, Governor of Georgia. As a 13-year corporate citizen of our great state, Georgia-based Porsche employees already know that once you have Georgia on Your Mind it is impossible to let go. Now we look forward to extending our famous Southern hospitality to the entire Porsche team – and to adding an incredible new destination to Georgia’s list of must-see places.
With over 25,000 cars sold in 2010, PCNA finished last year up 33 percent over the previous year. With its new headquarters, a dedicated, passionate employee and dealer body, and a strong line-up of iconic sports cars, a brand new generation of Cayenne SUVs and the latest addition to the brand, the Panamera Gran Turismo, Porsche is poised for continued success in the United States.
About Porsche Cars North America
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (PCNA), based in Atlanta, GA, is the exclusive U.S. importer of Porsche sports cars, the Cayenne SUV and Panamera Gran Turismo. Established in 1984, it is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Porsche AG, which is headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, and employs approximately 220 people who provide parts, service, marketing and training for 196 dealers. They, in turn, work to provide Porsche customers with a best-in-class experience that is in keeping with the brand’s 63-year history and leadership in the advancement of vehicle performance, safety and efficiency. At the core of this success is Porsches proud racing heritage that boasts some 30,000 motorsport wins to date.
Brian Redman winning the 1970 Targa Florio, with Jo Siffert in a 908/3 – Porsche won the grueling mountain race in Sicily 11 times, more than any other manufacture
British Racing Legend Will Add His Expertise and Energy to the Much Anticipated October Event
ATLANTA, April 13, 2011 – Porsche Cars North America (PCNA) announced the appointment of Brian Redman as Official Ambassador to Rennsport Reunion IV. In his new role Redman will serve as an advisor to PCNA’s organizing team in the months leading up to the October 14 to 16 event and represent the company vis-à-vis race fans and participants in all Rennsport related matters.
“I can’t think of a more qualified person than Brian to help us realize another successful Rennsport Reunion”, said Detlev von Platen, President and CEO of Porsche Cars North America.
“Not only was he instrumental in designing and organizing the previous venues, but with his own colorful racing history, not the least with some of our most famous race cars, Brian Redman personifies the spirit and fascination that we want to encourage with this next gathering of Porsche race cars and their designers and drivers”, von Platen added.
Starting in 1959, Redman’s career has spun more than four decades of racing sports cars as well as Formula 5000 and Formula One. Although making a name for himself as an all-round talent, his biggest triumphs came in racing sport prototypes in the world’s most famous and notorious venues.
Brian Redman/Porsche 908.3/Nürburgring 1000 Km/1970
From Nürburgring, Spa, Monza, Imola, the Targa Florio, Brands Hatch, Zeltweg, Watkins Glen to Daytona and Sebring, Redman won them all. As a member of 1969 factory team he helped Porsche win the World Manufacturers Championship for the first time in the 908LH and 908/2. He then repeated this feat in 1970 with the 908/3 and awesome 917K.
Redman still drives vintage race cars, organizes and promotes historic automotive events and provides individual and group driving instructions.
Even now, at age 74, Redman still competes approximately a half-dozen times a year in various Vintage Series events. After more than 50 years of racing, the sport continues to pull him in.[Picture Source: International Motorsports Hall of Fame; Autosports Marketing Assoc.]
A member of the Detroit and Sebring halls of Fame, was inducted into the Talladega Hall of Fame earlier this year.
Brian Redman 1971 Porsche 908/3
Porsche Rennsport Reunion IV will be the world’s greatest gathering of Porsche race cars and the drivers that drove them to victory, held at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca from October 14 to 16, 2011. Hosted by Porsche Cars North America, it will assemble the wide variety of Porsche’s most historic racing models from the nimble 550 Spyder of the mid-Fifties through the mighty 917 and 956/962 of the Seventies and Eighties to the highly successful RS Spyder of the last decade.
Special tribute will be paid to the numerous racing versions of the Porsche 911 and their countless victories on the dawn of what will become another milestone of this iconic sports car.
Additional details of the Porsche Rennsport Reunion IV will be published on Porsche’s press web site (press.porsche.com), and Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca’s web site (www.mazdaraceway.com), as they become available. Ticket information is available by contacting 800-327-7322 or online at www.mazdaraceway.com.
Like in the previous reunions, Rennsport Reunion IV will bring together over 60 years of Porsche racing history from the tiny but nimble Porsche 550 Spyder through the groundbreaking 906 and 908 with their plastic bodies to the mighty 917 with over 1,000 horsepower.
PRESS RELEASE: PORSCHE RENNSPORT REUNION IV STARTS ITS ENGINE
Groupings, Schedule of Greatest Gathering of Porsche Race Cars Released
More details and a schedule of events are listed below in the press release.
Atlanta, May 13, 2011 – Preparations for Rennsport Reunion IV continue, and Porsche Cars North America and Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca today released the latest race groupings and schedules for the fourth installment of fourth installment of its historic event, to be held Oct. 14-16, 2011.
This rare occasion will reunite the cars and drivers that together have written Porsche’s motorsports history during the last 60 years on all five continents.
When Porsche Cars North America held the first Rennsport Reunion in the summer of 2001 at Lime Rock Park, it didn’t take long for the participants to realize they were sharing in something extraordinary. Subsequent Rennsports, II and III, were both held at Daytona International Speedway in Florida and built upon the original premise, remarkable racecars reunited with their equally remarkable drivers.
As in the past three reunions, cars will be grouped by the period in which they raced so that enthusiasts can fully focus on the different motorsports eras with their ever more ferocious machines and increasingly sophisticated technology.
All fans will have full access to both paddocks and track side to view everything from the tiny but nimble Porsche 550 Spyder through the groundbreaking 906 and 908 with their plastic bodies to the mighty 917 with over 1,000hp.
A majority of the hundreds of racecars expected will be made up by the many racing versions of Porsche’s iconic 911 model. From its rather humble beginnings as 911 TR in the mid-1960s this car was for two decades the platform of motorsports legends. Letters and numbers such as RSR, 934 or 935 to GT3 series have stood for proven winners at that time and contributed heavily to the over 30,000 victories that Porsches collected over the past 60 years.
Eight groups promise a jam-packed, three-day racing program with practice, qualifying and warm-up for each group.
The races will be complemented by an exhibition parade and a Concours on Saturday afternoon.
The weekend will conclude with a guest appearance of the Cayman Interseries and a race of modern 911 Cup cars for the Rennsport Reunion Trophy.
Tentative schedule
Group 1: Gmund Cup
550, 550A, RSK, RS60-61 (4&8 cyl.) 2000 GSGT (Dreikantschaber), Abarth Carrera, 356 GT, and any other 356 with FIA history. Selected 356 history cars.
Group 2: Eifel Trophy
904 (4&6 cyl.), 914/6 GT, 911TR, 911ST, 911 (911 up to 2.5 liter), Lotus/Porsche, Cooper/Porsche (Pooper) etc, Elva/Porsche.
914’s & 911’s must have period racing history
Group 3: Weissach Cup
906, 910, 907, 908, 908/2, 908/3 (8 cyl. & 6 turbo), 909, 917 (normally aspirated and turbocharged)
Group 4: Carrera Trophy
911 (over 2.5 liter), RSR, 3.0 RSR, 2.1 Turbo, 934, 935, 936, 924 GTS, 924 GTR.
Group 5: Stuttgart Cup
956, 962, GT1, WSC, RS Spyder.
Group 8: Rennsport Reunion Cup – Porsche Cup Cars
911 Feature Race: – 911 Trophy
PORSCHE RENNSPORT REUNION IV 2011 Event Schedule Subject to change
For PORSCHE RENNSPORT REUNION IV 2011 Event Schedule pdf clickhere
FRIDAY, October 15, 2011
7:00 AM Gates Open
7:00 AM – 5 :00 PM Registration : Embassy Suites, Seaside
8:00 AM – 8:20 AM Practice Group 1 – Gmund Cup
8:30 AM – 8:50 AM Practice Group 2 – Eifel Trophy
9:00 AM – 9:20 AM Practice Group 3 – Weissach Cup
9:30 AM – 9:50 AM Practice Group 4 – Carrera Trophy
10:00 AM – 10:20 AM Practice Group 5 – Stuttgart Cup
10:30 AM – 10:50 AM Practice Group 6 – Cayman Interseries
11:00 AM – 11:20 AM Practice Group 7 – PCA Club Racing
11:30 PM – 11:50 PM Practice Group 8 – Rennsport Reunion Cup – 911 Cup Cars
11:50 PM – 1:00 PM LUNCH -VIP hot laps/Parade Laps
1:00 PM – 1:20 PM Qualifying Group 1 – Gmund Cup
1:30 PM – 1:50 PM Qualifying Group 2 – Eifel Trophy
2:00 PM – 2:20 PM Practice Group 3 – Weissach Cup
2:30 PM – 2:50 PM Practice Group 4 – Carrera Trophy
3:00 PM – 3:20 PM Practice Group 5 – Stuttgart Cup
3:30 PM – 3:50 PM Practice Group 6 – Cayman Interseries
4:00 PM – 4:20 PM Practice Group 7 – PCA Club Racing
4:30 PM – 4:50 PM Practice Group 8 – Rennsport Reunion Cup – 911 Cup Cars
SATURDAY, October 16, 2011
7:00 AM Gates Open
7:00 AM – 5 :00 PM Registration : Embassy Suites, Seaside
8:00 AM -8:15 AM Warm up Group 1 – Gmund Cup
8:25 AM – 8:40 AM Warm up Group 2 – Eifel Trophy
8:50 AM – 9:10 AM Qualifying Group 3 – Weissach Cup
9:20 AM – 9:40 AM Qualifying Group 4 – Carrera Trophy
9:50 AM – 10:10 AM Qualifying Group 5 – Stuttgart Cup
10:20 AM – 10:40 AM Qualifying Group 6 – Cayman Interseries
10:50 AM – 11:10 AM Qualifying Group 7 – PCA Club Racing
11:20 AM – 11:50 AM Practice Group 8 – Rennsport Reunion Cup – 911 Cup Cars
11:50 AM – 1:30 PM LUNCH – VIP hot laps/Parade Laps
1:30 PM – 1:50 PM RACE Group 1 – GMUND CUP
2:00 PM – 2:20 PM RACE Group 2 – EIFEL TROPHY
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM Parade/exhibition of Porsche’s racing history to include significant Porsche racing cars
3:30 PM -6:00 PM Concours on Pit Lane
SUNDAY, October 17, 2011
7:00 AM Gates Open
7:00 AM – 12:00 PM Registration : Embassy Suites, Seaside
8:00 AM – 8:15 AM Warm up Group 7 – PCA Club Racing
8:25 AM – 8:40 AM Warm up Group 4 – Carrera Trophy
8:50 AM – 9:05 AM Warm up Group 5– Stuttgart Cup
9:15 AM – 9:30 AM Warm up Group 6 – Cayman Interseries
9:40 AM – 9:55 AM Warm up Group 3 – Weissach Cup
10:05 AM – 10:35 AM Qualifying Group 8 – Rennsport Reunion Cup – 911 Cup Cars
10:45 PM -11:15 PM Race Group 7 – PCA CLUB RACING
11:25 PM – 11:45 AM Race Group 3– WEISSACH CUP
11:45 AM – 1:00 PM LUNCH – VIP hot laps/Parade Laps
1:00 PM – 1:20 PM Race Group 4 – CARRERA TROPHY
1:30 PM – 1:50 PM RACE -911 TROPHY
2:00 PM – 2:20 PM Race Group 5 -STUTTGART CUP
2:30 PM – 3:00 PM Race Group 6 – CAYMAN INTERSERIES
3:15 PM – 4:00 PM Race Group 8 – RENNSPORT REUNION CUP – 911 CUP CARS
Exclusive special edition of the Porsche mid-engine coupé
Cayman S Black Edition with more power and comprehensive equipment package
Stuttgart. The next step up from the Cayman S is known as the Cayman S Black Edition: Starting in July 2011, Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, is bringing the mid-engine coupé to market in a special edition limited to 500 units boasting even better performance and especially lavish equipment specification.
The Cayman S Black Edition is powered by a 3.4 litre six-cylinder boxer engine with power output increased by 10 hp (7 kW) to 330 hp (243 kW) at 7,400 rpm (an additional 200 rpm). The maximum torque remains unchanged at 370 Newton metres at 4,750 rpm.
The extra power feeds directly through into the performance of the all black two-seater. The acceleration times from nought to 100 km/h (62 mph) are improved by a tenth of a second to 5.1 seconds with the six-gear manual transmission and to 5.0 seconds with the optional Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) respectively. A mere 4.8 seconds are required if the Launch Control is activated on the Sport Chrono package, available as an option.
The Cayman S Black Edition’s top speed is two kilometres per hour (1.24 mph) faster than that of the Cayman S – 279 km/h (173 mph) with the manual transmission and 277 km/h (172 mph) with the PDK respectively.
The Cayman S Black Edition is not just more sportily agile in terms of its longitudinal dynamics but laterally as well. Among other factors, this is attributable to the Boxster Spyder wheels in black, which with a diameter of 19 inches are not just one inch bigger than the standard Cayman S wheels but are also half an inch wider than the optional 19 inch wheels on the Cayman S. The tyre sizes fitted are 235/35 ZR 19s on the front axle and 265/35 ZR 19s on the rear axle.
With its comprehensive and particularly high-quality equipment, the Cayman S Black Edition also caters for exceedingly exacting demands. For example, Bi-Xenon headlights with dynamic cornering lights and LED daytime running lights are just as much part of the basic specification as are automatic anti-dazzle interior and exterior mirrors with integrated rain sensor. Driver and front seat passenger sit on black partial leather seats with Porsche crest on the headrests; climate control ensures a comfortable temperature. The driver pilots the Cayman Black Edition by means of a Sport Design steering wheel, the cruise control makes driving at constant speed a more comfortable and economical experience.
The colour scheme of the limited edition sports coupé is consistent to the smallest detail: the dashboard trim is black as are the gear lever/selector trim and the instrument dials in the instrument cluster.
The door entry guards emblazoned with the lettering “Black Edition” are made of stainless steel; the glove compartment lid bears the badge proclaiming the limited edition status.
Equipped with Sound Package Plus, the Cayman S Black Edition’s infotainment systems are controlled via Porsche Communication Management (PCM).
This also includes, for example, the navigation module and universal audio interface (AUX, USB, iPod). Mobile phone integration is already enabled. In all, the Cayman S Black Edition features the Porsche Comfort, Infotainment and Design packages, offering a price reduction into the bargain.
With country-specific equipment, the Cayman S Black Edition costs 67,807 euro in Germany including VAT.
Nürburgring circuit map, taken at German Grand Prix 1964; the legend advises…
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