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You are here: Home / Featured / A decade and a half of 911 racing in Europe Part 1

A decade and a half of 911 racing in Europe Part 1

21st August 2019 by: Glen Smale | Leave a Comment

The #160 Prospeed Competition Porsche 997 GT3 Cup S was driven by David Loix/David Dermont/Franz Lamot/Jan Heylen
Spa 24-Hour, 2 August 2008: The #160 Prospeed Competition Porsche 997 GT3 Cup S was driven by David Loix (B)/David Dermont (B)/Franz Lamot (B)/Jan Heylen (B)

Over the years, we have attended many motor races and seen first-hand how the performance of the evergreen Porsche 911 has improved. This feature, the first in our four-part mini-series, starts with the 2005 season where the iconic 996 GT3 RSR was a potent force on the GT racing scene, and rolls through to 2008. The story of 911 racing in Europe is like no other, because the 911 is the only single continuously evolving sports car model in the market.

Porsche 996 GT3 RSR of Race Alliance driven by Thomas Grüber/Lukas Lichtner-Hoyer
The Royal Automobile Club Tourist Trophy, Silverstone, 7 May 2006: Porsche 996 GT3 RSR of Race Alliance driven by Thomas Grüber (A)/Lukas Lichtner-Hoyer (A) finished 18th (11 laps behind the winner) overall from 26th on the starting grid

In this mini-series, we will bring you some highlights from this remarkable journey as it unfolded from ’05 right up to the present. In order to share this 911 motorsport heritage with you, our readers, we have dug into our photo archive to produce a selection of racing images that best represents this period.

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Porsche G-Model

2005

The 996 GT3 Cup Car, the first racing car to usher in the new era of water-cooled Porsches back in 1999, could be upgraded to 400 bhp at 7300 rpm from its 3.6-litre engine, and had a sub-4 second time for the 0-62 mph sprint.

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The #55 Embassy Racing Porsche 996 GT3 RSR of Neil Cunningham/Ben Collins
FIA GT race, Silverstone, 15 May 2005: The #55 Embassy Racing Porsche 996 GT3 RSR of Neil Cunningham/Ben Collins (ex-Stig from BBC Top Gear) finished 13th. Cunningham doubled for James Bond in the movie Quantum of Solace, and lives in Swansea, UK
The #66 Gruppe M Racing Porsche 996 GT3 RSR was ably piloted by Marc Lieb/Mike Rockenfeller
FIA GT race, Silverstone, 15 May 2005: The #66 Gruppe M Racing Porsche 996 GT3 RSR was ably piloted by Marc Lieb/Mike Rockenfeller, who finished ninth overall and first in GT2 (five laps behind the winner). Both Lieb and Rockenfeller went on to great success with the Porsche and Audi works teams respectively

Introduced in 2004, the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR (Type 996) featured a 3598 cc water-cooled flat-six engine developing 445 bhp at 8250 rpm, up from the 2001 model 911 GT3 RS’s 415 bhp at 8200 rpm. Maximum engine speed was reached at 8500 rpm when fitted with twin FIA spec 30.8 mm air restrictors. This model ran for three seasons, 2004 to 2006, and was replaced by the Type 997 in 2007.

The #86 Noble Racing 996 GT3 RSR of Darryl O’Young/Matthew Marsh
Silverstone 1000 km, 13 August 2005: The #86 Noble Racing 996 GT3 RSR of Darryl O’Young (HK)/Matthew Marsh (GB) failed to finish due to gearbox problems
Gruppe M Racing 996 GT3 R driven by the British pairing of Jonny Cocker/Tim Sugden
Silverstone 1000 km, 13 August 2005: Gruppe M Racing 996 GT3 R, driven by the British pairing of Jonny Cocker/Tim Sugden, was involved in an accident during the wet race

2006

Available from 2006-2009, the 911 GT3 Cup Type 997 MK1 was powered by a 3.6 litre flat-six, producing 400 bhp at 7300 rpm. With a revised aero package, the 997 GT3 Cup Car generated 40% more downforce than the 996 GT3 Cup Car, predominantly through its wider and higher rear wing.

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European GT3 Championship, Silverstone, 7 May 2006: The #6 SOFREV Auto Sport Promotion Porsche 997 GT3 Cup was driven by Marc Cattaneo/Morgan Moullin-Traffort finished fifth overall, winning the second heat
European GT3 Championship, Silverstone, 7 May 2006: The #5 (driven by Jean Beaubelique, Gilles Chatelain) and #6 SOFREV Auto Sport Promotion Porsche 997 GT3 Cup cars seen here in the pits prior to the race

All 997 GT3 Cup cars were fitted with the Porsche sequential gearbox. Originally introduced in the 2005 Porsche Supercup, more than 1400 cars were produced during this four-year period making the Porsche 997 GT3 Cup Car the bestselling racing car of all time. For this photo grouping, both the European GT3 Championship and the FIA GT RAC Tourist Trophy, were held on the same bill at Silverstone on 7 May 2006.

The #74 Ebimotors 996 GT3 RSR driven by the Italian duo Luigi Moccia/Emanuele Busnelli
FIA GT RAC Tourist Trophy, Silverstone, 7 May 2006: The #74 Ebimotors 996 GT3 RSR driven by the Italian duo Luigi Moccia/Emanuele Busnelli did not finish after qualifying in 20th place
Christian Ried/Horst Felbermayr Jr. drove the #66 Team Felbermayr-Proton 996 GT3 RSR
FIA GT RAC Tourist Trophy, Silverstone, 7 May 2006: Porsche regulars Christian Ried/Horst Felbermayr Jr. in the #66 Team Felbermayr-Proton 996 GT3 RSR finished 17th overall (10 laps behind the winner)

2007

In 2007, the weapon of choice was the new Porsche 911 GT3 RSR. Powered by a new 3795 cc flat-six, the RSR produced 485 bhp at 8400 rpm when fitted with two 30.0 mm restrictors. The engine boasted 4-valves per cylinder, a compression ratio of 14.5:1, it redlined at 9000 rpm and was driven through a sequential 6-speed ‘box.

For once we had a dry race for the FIA GT Championships at Silverstone on 6 May. When the #74 Ebimotors Porsche 997 GT3 RSR came past with its door missing, it presented a great opportunity to see the driver hard at work behind the wheel. Although the driver would not have enjoyed having his door missing, this is not an uncommon sight at races as the pressure build-up inside the cockpit can be significant, and just hitting a bump can ‘blow’ the door outwards and into the long grass. A missing door will also have a significantly negative impact on the aerodynamics of the car.

The #97 3.8-litre BMS Scuderia Italia Porsche 997 GT3 RSR of Matteo Malucelli/Emmanuel Collard
FIA GT Championships, Silverstone, 6 May 2007: The #97 3.8-litre BMS Scuderia Italia Porsche 997 GT3 RSR of Matteo Malucelli/Emmanuel Collard in the pits before the race
The #97 3.8-litre BMS Scuderia Italia Porsche 997 GT3 RSR of Matteo Malucelli/Emmanuel Collard
FIA GT Championships, Silverstone, 6 May 2007: The #97 3.8-litre BMS Scuderia Italia Porsche 997 GT3 RSR of Matteo Malucelli/Emmanuel Collard finished 18th overall, four laps behind the winner. Obscured behind is the #99 Tech9 Motorsport Porsche 997 GT3 RSR driven by Sean Edwards/Leo Machitski who finished two places back in 20th. Readers will remember Sean Edwards as the very talented Carrera Cup driver who was so tragically killed in Australia in October 2013 in a private testing incident
 Marcello Zani/Emanuele Busnelli in the #74 Ebimotors Porsche GT3 RSR
FIA GT Championships, Silverstone, 6 May 2007: Marcello Zani/Emanuele Busnelli in the #74 Ebimotors Porsche GT3 RSR did not finish

The 2007 Le Mans 24-Hour race on 16/17 June was indeed an action-packed race. Just a few hours after the start of the race, the storm clouds that had been steadily building suddenly decided to empty, and the deluge that followed saw all and sundry scattering for whatever cover they could find. Mike Rockenfeller fell victim to the conditions and in the process clobbered the Armco at Tertre Rouge. A lengthy safety car session ensued. Thankfully he was fine, the skies cleared, and the race was green flagged once again. This race was the last outing for the Seikel Porsche team at Le Mans 24-Hour event, having participated eleven times, but this would not be a happy race for them as the car retired after just 68 laps.

The #93 Autorlando Sport Porsche 997 GT3 RSR of Allan Simonsen/Pierre Ehret/Lars Nielsen
Le Mans 24-Hour, 16-17 June 2007: The #93 Autorlando Sport Porsche 997 GT3 RSR of Allan Simonsen/Pierre Ehret/Lars Nielsen finished in 21st place. Readers will recall that the Dane, Allan Simonsen, lost his life at Le Mans in 2013 when his Aston Martin struck the barriers at Tertre Rouge on just the third lap
The #76 IMSA Performance Matmut Porsche 997 GT3 RSR driven by Porsche regulars Richard Lietz/Raymond Narac/Patrick Long
Le Mans 24-Hour, 16-17 June 2007: The #76 IMSA Performance Matmut Porsche 997 GT3 RSR driven by Porsche regulars Richard Lietz/Raymond Narac/Patrick Long finished 15th place overall and first in the GT2 class, 49 laps behind the winner

2008

Porsche’s 2008 GT3 RSR was aimed at the GT2 class in international long distance racing. A distinguishing feature of the new GT3 RSR was the new front end treatment which carried major improvements to the aerodynamics including additional spoilers on the front apron, called flicks, optimised air ducting with newly-designed side air outlets which generated greater downforce and reduced drag. The rear wing was carried over from the predecessor. The 3.8-litre engine remained unchanged from the previous year apart from slight improvements to some details, and delivered the same 465 bhp at 8000 rpm when fitted with a pair of 29.5 mm restrictors, the rev limiter kicking in at 9400 rpm. Much of the technology in the GT3 RSR’s new sequential six-speed gearbox came from the RS Spyder sports prototype, and was considerably lighter than its predecessor. If you’re tempted, you could have bought a GT3 RSR in 2008 for €349,800 plus VAT.

The #140 Emeraude Racing Porsche 997 GT3 Cup S and #141 sister car
Spa 24-Hour, 2 August 2008: The #141 sister car (left) piloted by Rémy Brouard/Thierry Stépec/Philippe Nozière/Tony Samon finished in 20th place overall, 109 laps behind the winner. The #140 Emeraude Racing Porsche 997 GT3 Cup S (right) driven by the all-French team of Olivier Baron/Patrice Fournet/André-Alain Corbel/Manuel Ferreira qualified in 41st place but posted a DNF in the race
The #145 Porsche 997 GT3 Cup S was driven by François Duval/Christian Kelders/Philippe Greich/Christophe Kerkhove
Spa 24-Hour, 2 August 2008: Driving a Porsche 997 GT3 Cup S (#145), the all-Belgian crew of François Duval/Christian Kelders/Philippe Greich/Christophe Kerkhove came home in 18th place

Thirty-five of these race cars were built at Weissach in 2008 and weighed in at 1225 kg in accordance with the ACO regulations, and 1200 kg for the FIA regs. The 911 GT3 Cup S model however featured a 3.6-litre developing 440 bhp at 8000 rpm. The car’s weight was 1170 kg. The 911 GT3 Cup for 2008 was also powered by a 3.6-litre engine producing 420 bhp at 7500 rpm, but weighing just 1130 kg, the Cup was capable of doing 290 km/h.

#75 Juniper Racing Porsche 997 GT3 RSR driven by Shaun Juniper, Max Twigg, Craig Baird and Rodney Forbes

#75 Juniper Racing Porsche 997 GT3 RSR driven by Shaun Juniper, Max Twigg, Craig Baird and Rodney Forbes
Spa 24-Hour, 2 August 2008: From the southern hemisphere, the Australian Juniper Racing team with the #75 Porsche 997 GT3 RSR finished in 19th place in the hands of Shaun Juniper/Max Twigg/Craig Baird/Rodney Forbes. Seen here (top), the car rounds La Source at the start of the race, while (above) the car stops in the pits during the evening hours

Held in late summer, the Autosport 1000 km at Silverstone in September 2008 was a real storming affair. As Audi and Peugeot battled for championship superiority on the track in superb dry weather, the spectators enjoyed a truly gripping race. The #77 Team Felbermayr Porsche of Alex Davison/Marc Lieb finished second in the race and in the championship in 2008.

The #95 James Watt Automotive Porsche 997 GT3 RSR driven by Paul Daniels/Matt Griffin/Peter Bamford
Autosport 1000 km, Silverstone, 14 September 2008: The #95 James Watt Automotive Porsche 997 GT3 RSR driven by Paul Daniels/Matt Griffin/Peter Bamford did not finish
The #88 Team Felbermayr-Proton Porsche 997 GT3 RSR driven by Christian Ried/Horst Felbermayr Jr./Horst Felbermayr Sr.
Autosport 1000 km, Silverstone, 14 September 2008: The #88 Team Felbermayr-Proton Porsche 997 GT3 RSR driven by Christian Ried/Horst Felbermayr Jr./Horst Felbermayr Sr. finished in 30th place
Richard Balandras/Michel Lecourt in the #75 IMSA Performance Matmut Porsche 997 GT3 RSR
Autosport 1000 km, Silverstone, 14 September 2008: Richard Balandras/Michel Lecourt in the #75 IMSA Performance Matmut Porsche 997 GT3 RSR posted a DNF
the #91 Farnbacher Racing Porsche 997 GT3 RSR was driven by Lars Nielsen/Dirk Werner
Autosport 1000 km, Silverstone, 14 September 2008: An off by Lars Nielsen/Dirk Werner in the #91 Farnbacher Racing Porsche 997 GT3 RSR resulted in them also posting a DNF

This mini-series only scratches the surface of our photo archive, VIRTUAL MOTORPIX, our sister website, and serves as an illustration of what we have and where we’ve been. If you feel like leaving a comment at the bottom please do, and you can subscribe to all our free Porsche feature updates on the right-hand side of the home page. If you enjoyed Part 1, be sure to check back for Part 2 which will follow in due course.

Written by: Glen Smale
Images by: Virtual Motorpix/Glen Smale

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Categories: Featured, Motorsport, Yesteryear Tags: 996 GT3 RSR, 997 GT3 Cup S, 997 GT3 RSR, Autosport 1000 km, European GT3 Championship, FIA GT, Le Mans 24 Hours, Porsche, Royal Automobile Club Tourist Trophy, Silverstone, Spa 24-Hour

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