When the black and white checkered flag fell after ten exhausting hours on October 12th, not only was the Motul Petit Le Mans over, but so was the 2019 IMSA season. Porsche went on to secure the 2019 Manufacturers, Drivers, and Team championship titles in the GTLM class.
The 911 RSR made its final appearance entirely in red. To be more precise: in bright Coca-Cola red. As a tribute to Robert “Bob” Akin, one of the motorsport greats. It was Akin who first brought the Coca-Cola design to a Porsche race car. He achieved podium finishes at legendary races such as the 24h of Daytona with his Coke Porsche cars – including the Porsche 935 and Porsche 962. This was a proper farewell for the outgoing generation of the 911 RSR.
Coca-Cola and Porsche co-branded this cool commercial to celebrate the return of this livery:
For the 2020 season, the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup will again support the premier class of motorsport: the calendar of the one-make cup, in which Porsche 911 GT3 Cup vehicles are fielded, is made up of eight rounds run as part of the Formula One support programme for the upcoming season.
The Supercup will also visit Zandvoort. The seaside resort town near Amsterdam is the venue for the Dutch Grand Prix and hosts a Formula 1 race for the first time in 2020.
The Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup has been part of the F1 support programme since its 1993 debut season. With the extension of the Formula 1 contract up to and including 2022, the decision was made to focus on the eight European rounds in the future. After the official tests in Barcelona (Spain), the 28th season takes off with the first F1 European round at the Circuit Zandvoort. The 2020 Supercup calendar also includes championship rounds on the legendary street circuit in Monte Carlo (Monaco) and at Hungary’s Hungaroring – two events that have been a permanent fixture on the series’ race calendar since the debut season. The Supercup teams will also line up to compete at Barcelona, Spielberg (Austria), Silverstone (Great Britain) and Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium). Italy’s Autodromo Nazionale Monza hosts the final round of the season. Each of the eight events includes a 30-minute sprint race.
“The fact that the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup events take place as part of the Formula 1 programme is a key factor for the success of this racing series,” said Oliver Schwab, project manager of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup. “Motor racing on circuits such as Silverstone and Monza has a huge and lively tradition. The atmosphere there is very special. We are really excited about our first race at Zandvoort. The circuit has its very own charm due to its location on the North Sea of the Dutch coast.”
Prominent guest drivers and an optimised media package in 2020 The tradition of fielding a VIP vehicle will continue in 2020. The No. 911 Cup car will be campaigned at selected rounds and driven by prominent sports people, former professional racing drivers and even Hollywood stars. Last season, Scotsman Chris Hoy, the six-time Olympic gold medallist in track cycling, joined the action at the wheel of the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup. In previous seasons, two-time Formula 1 World Champion Mika Häkkinen, rally aces Sébastien Loeb and Sébastien Ogier and Hollywood actor Patrick Dempsey made guest appearances in the VIP vehicle. In addition to prominent guest drivers, an optimised media package will be introduced for the 2020 season: Thanks to an improved rights situation in the immediate Formula 1 environment, the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup can expand its PR activities, particularly in the social media sector.
At the end of the 2019 season, Michael Ammermüller (D/BWT Lechner Racing) took home the championship crown for the third time in a row. In the past, only Patrick Huisman and the reigning DTM champion René Rast (2010 to 2012) have achieved such a hat trick. Huisman from the Netherlands, in fact, clinched four consecutive titles from 1997 to 2000. The 2019 rookie title went to Ayhancan Güven (TR/martinet by ALMÉRAS), with Roar Lindland (N/pierre martinet by ALMÉRAS) claiming the ProAm title. BWT Lechner Racing won the team championship. The winners will be presented with their trophies at the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Championship Dinner on Friday, 29 November 2019, on the occasion of the Auto Bild Motorsport Race Night in Essen.
2020 Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup race calendar 26.03-27.03.2020, Barcelona (Spain), official test 01.05-03.05.2020, Zandvoort (Netherlands), race 1 08.05-10.05.2020, Barcelona (Spain), race 2 21.05-24.05.2020, Monte Carlo (Monaco), race 3 03.07-05.07.2020, Spielberg (Austria), race 4 17.07-19.07.2020, Silverstone (Great Britain), race 5 31.07-02.08.2020, Budapest (Hungary), race 6 28.08-30.08.2020, Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium), race 7 04.09-06.09.2020, Monza (Italy), race 8
Porsche has opened another Porsche Studio in Taoyuan, the biggest aviation city in Taiwan. It is the first of its kind in this market and the third in South East Asia. The new Porsche Studio is located in Taoyuan Art Plaza, an artistic area in the region, where extraordinary art meets local artists.
“We are more than delighted to present the new Porsche Studio Taoyuan, which offers fans and enthusiasts a sophisticated combination of fascinating sports cars and intriguing lifestyle products. With an exclusive, relaxing as well as life-oriented atmosphere, we expect the new Porsche Studio to be an exciting destination for customers,” says Mathias Busse, CEO of Porsche Taiwan.
Porsche Taiwan is collaborating with its long-term partner PGUM to continuously develop the retail landscape by introducing new formats. Starting points were the Porsche NOW sales pop-ups in Taipei and Tainan, the Porsche Studio in Taoyuan is the next big step. It offers customers and fans Porsche’s diverse attractions beyond vehicles, from brand heritage to modern lifestyle with the aim of bonding closer with them.
The brand-new Porsche Studio Taoyuan offers a large LED wall and an exclusive and relaxing atmosphere inside. Within the new location, various themes await customers to immerse in: “E-Performance” highlights the brand’s progress towards electromobility; “Porsche Driver’s Selection” and “Tequipment” showcase a series of exclusive lifestyle products and accessories; “Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur” is where customization takes place and finally, “Heritage Wall” presents Porsche history, guiding people through the fascination of over seven decades..
In addition, together with Porsche Centre Taoyuan, Porsche Taiwan is introducing two special in-store job roles, offering visitors distinctive experiences: “Host” and “Porsche Pro”. “Hosts” serve visitors in a professional and personalized way, aiming to make them chill out and feel at home. With profound knowledge of Porsche’s history and products, the “Porsche Pro” guides visitors through the world of the brand and shares the passion for sportscars.
The Porsche Studios are part of Porsche’s Future Retail Strategy. The aim is to be, where customers are and to attract new target groups in city centers.
Autotopia LA recently shared this incredible machine built by TJ Russell. Street legal with 365 horsepower from the fully built flat-six, over a foot of suspension travel, and available by custom order!
In 1980 Porsche entered Le Mans with three examples of the new race car which were piloted by teams from Germany, USA and Great Britain. Titled the 924 GTP, each car raced under their national colors in the highly competitive ‘Prototype’ class. 924 GTP 002 remains the only Porsche factory owned race car ever to compete under a British flag. Having been used for further testing the car was officially retired in 1982.
Bodywork: Lightened production body with fender extensions and front spoiler as well as doors and engine lid of plastic, plexiglass windows
Chassis: Independent wheel suspensions, whisbones and McPherson shock legs in front, steel semi-trailing arms in back Progressive coil springs, Bilstein gas pressure shock absorbers
Brakes: Inner-vented, dual circuit disc brake system from 917 with center-lock wheels Adjustable brake balance
Wheels: BBS rims front and rear: 11.75 x 16 Dunlop Racing, front: 275/600 x16 Dunlop Racing, rear: 300/825 x 16
Gearbox: Fully-synchronized, 5-speed Porsche gearbox, 924 reinforced, slod drive, ratios to suit the course
Clutch: Single-plate, dry clutch (Fichtel & Sachs) with sintered lining
Engine: Four cylinder, in-line engine, water-cooled with turbocharging and charge-air intercooler, mechanical Bosch/Kugelfischer fuel injection and dry sump lubrication Bore: 86.5 mm/3.41″ Stroke: 84.4 mm/3.33″ Capacity: 1983.9 cc/121.02 in³ Compression: approx. 6.8 : 1 Output: 320 hp (235 kW) at 7000 rpm Max. torque: 39 mkp/282 lb.-ft. at 4500 rpm
After more than 30 years, Porsche returns to single-seater racing by entering Formula E. In addition to traditional GT road-going sports cars, fully electric sports cars are firmly anchored in Porsche’s future strategy. Both should be reflected in the Porsche world of motorsport in the future. A large part of the corporation’s ‘Mission E’ is also the presence and success in motorsport with race cars with electric drive.
“In hindsight, we laid the foundations for Porsche’s future involvement in Formula E during the LMP1 project. We used the insights gained during that time in the development of the Porsche Formula E powertrain. We focussed on building a highly effective powertrain with the highest level of efficiency,” says Malte Huneke, Technical Project Leader Formula E. The 800-volt technology used in Formula E is also used in the series production of the fully electric Porsche sports car, the Taycan. In addition, energy management and efficiency are the keys to success in both Formula E and series production. This is where the permanent synchronous motor comes into play which has an important role in optimising the drive concept.
“In recent months, we have been able to sound out the reliability of the Porsche Formula E powertrain on the racetrack and on the test bench. We are very pleased and are optimistic going into the final preparations for the first race,” says Huneke. “In the coming weeks, we will focus on the performance of the Porsche 99X Electric. This is the next step on the road to the Porsche works entry in Formula E,” says Amiel Lindesay, who is from now on Head of Operations Formula E. The TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team will make its first official appearance in mid-October 2019 at the Formula E test at Valencia (Spain). “Both Porsche 99X Electric will take to the racetrack there for the first time, with Neel Jani and André Lotterer in the cockpit. From an operational perspective, it will be an exciting assignment for everyone involved. A good test before we contest our first Formula E race in November,” says Lindesay.
The Porsche 911 GT2 RS has set a new production car lap record at Road America, completing the 4.048 mile road course with its 14 turns and multiple elevation changes in just 2:15,17 minutes. 24 Hours of Daytona and Le Mans class winner David Donohue took to the wheel of the 911 GT2 RS and only needed two laps to do so, underscoring not just the track capability, but also the approachability of the car. Ride along right here…
Three years after the premiere of the first Cayman GT4 Clubsport, Porsche launched a successor: The new 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport represents a consequent further development of the successful model from Weissach. For the first time, the near-standard mid-engine racer comes in two versions ex-works: the “Trackday” model for ambitious amateur racing drivers and the “Competition” variant for national and international motor racing.
Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport Three years after the premiere of the first Cayman GT4 Clubsport, Porsche launched a successor: The new 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport represents a consequent further development of the successful model from Weissach. For the first time, the near-standard mid-engine racer comes in two versions ex-works: the “Trackday” model for ambitious amateur racing drivers and the “Competition” variant for national and international motor racing.
More power, greater sustainability
In developing the new 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport, the focus was put not only on further improved driveability and faster lap times but also on the sustainable use of raw materials. The 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport is the first ever production race car to feature body parts made of natural-fibre composite material. The driver and co-driver doors and the rear wing are made of an organic fibre mix, which are sourced primarily from agricultural by-products such as flax or hemp fibres and feature similar properties to carbon fibre in terms of weight and stiffness.
Powering the 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport is a 3.8-litre flat-six engine producing 313 kW (425 hp). Compared to its predecessor, this represents a 40-hp increase in performance. The power is transferred to the rear wheels via a Porsche dual-clutch gearbox with six gears and mechanical rear axle differential lock. The lightweight spring-strut front suspension is taken from its big 911 GT3 Cup brother. The impressive racing brake system features steel brake discs all round measuring 380-millimetres in diameter. Tipping the scales at 1,320 kilograms, the 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport, delivered ex-works with a welded-in safety cage, a racing bucket seat as well as a six-point harness, is a real lightweight.
