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Porsche 911 GT3 CUP

The Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (Type 997) is a remarkable piece of racing machinery, continuing the long tradition of Dr. Ferdinand Porsche, and the revolutionary sports cars that bear his name. The 997 GT3 is the current platform, and an extension of the successful 996 GT3 program that has won many endurance events, like the 24 heures du Mans, the 24 Hours at Daytona, and spawned the fastest one-make racing championship in the world, the Porsche Supercup.

The GT3 is the only car competing in the Rolex Grand-Am series that is truly a counterpart to the road car it represents. In fact, it is essentially the same car that can be ordered from your local Porsche dealer, just fitted with racing specific equipment, most with Porsche part numbers. Our race car even has a VIN, (Vehicle Identification Number) that is given to all road going cars manufactured. Not being purpose built for the race track should give the Porsche a disadvantage, however the fabled, and recognizable sports car design, the trademark rear engine layout, precise German engineering, and the advanced, massively powerful, rev happy, flat 6 cylinder engine, combine to create a package that has other manufacturers struggling to keep up. Truly a testament to the quality and engineering prowess of Porsche, is the GT3.

Engine
The familiar flat 6 cylinder design is water cooled, and has a displacement of 3.6 Liters. Power peaks at 400 bhp at 7300 rpm with torque reaching 400 Nm at a lofty 6500 rpm. The engine produces enough power to propel the car all the way until the fuel cut off point north of 8500 rpm. The design features 4 valves per cylinder, dry sump lubrication, Multi-point sequential fuel injection, and central air intake, that uses the aerodynamic pocket below the wing to breathe at high speeds. All is kept in check by an advanced MoTec engine management system, and a Porsche proprietary software control.

GearBox
The G97/ 60 Sequential gearbox, is a 6 speed transaxle, housing a 40%/60% limited slip differential, driving the rear wheels. It is a dog-type shift, that features a power shift system that detects when upshifts are being made, cutting the power, allowing the driver to complete the upshift without removing his foot from full throttle. This happens in a fractions of a second. However, downshifts are a bit of work as the gears are not synchronized, forcing the driver to clutch in for each individual gear, and use the throttle to rev the engine in neutral to match engine speed. It is quite involved and only skilled racing drivers can downshift quickly, smoothly, and without damaging the gearbox. The gears are fully changeable to suit each individual track layout for optimum speed. A super strong, 5.5" triple plate clutch, about the diameter of a milk jug, handles all of the gear changing duties, despite the power it is transferring.

Brakes & Suspension
The duty on the braking system is immense, so 6 piston Brembo calipers are mated to a 380mm/350mm (front/rear) rotors, that are slotted to optimize cooling and engagement with the brake pad. There is no anti-lock brake system, yet the balance of force between the front and rear can be adjusted. The suspension is comprised of Eibach springs, that are interchangeable, and Moton gas adjustable shock absorbers. Fully adjustable sway bars for the front and rear of the car, and can be changed on the racetrack by the driver. They work in concert to keep the Pirelli racing tires firmly attached to the ground, in the pursuit of speed.

Body & Aerodynamics
Made from hot-galvanized steel, the monocoque body is like that found on any 911 at your Porsche dealer. Though, the carbon fiber front air dam, fenders, rear bumper, doors, mirrors, rear wing, and rear lid are not. High downforce, low weight, and the best possible cooling were the design goals of the 997 GT3. With a commanding a presence on the rear of the car, the 32 way adjustable wing aids in that quest for downforce, and when coupled to the front splitter and the flat underbody, it makes for a highly effective aero package. The roll cage aids in making the car more rigid, helping cornering stability, but is meant to keep the driver completely shielded in the event of a crash. The body also features built-in air jacks to raise the car for service or tire changes.