American Le Mans Series

2009 Porsche GT3 RSR to make debut at Sebring

© Porsche AG

The American Le Mans Series GT2 class championship-winning Porsche 911 GT3 RSR heads into the 2009 racing season with significant mechanical and body upgrades designed to help it defend its crown against increased competition. The new cars will make their world debut at Sebring International Raceway on Monday, January 26, as part of the three-day American Le Mans Series Winter test.

The 911 GT3 RSR, which carried German factory drivers Joerg Bergmeister and Wolf Henzler to the ALMS GT2 drivers championship as well as Porsche to the manufacturers title last season, features a redesigned front end with larger air outlets on the hood. Under the lightweight bodyshell, many other evolutionary changes were made as well; keeping the 911 GT3 RSR the fastest racing Porsche 911 that Porsche builds.

Noticeable at first sight are the air slots on the front hood – the result of the completely redesigned radiator air ducting, which became necessary with installation of the new air-conditioning unit, added to comply with the ACO 2009 regulations. The aerodynamics under the rear also underwent further fine-tuning. The rear wing now features a wider adjustment range. The weight-optimized brake system and the lighter wiring harness contribute to further improved handling for 2009.

The capacity of the legendary Porsche six-cylinder boxer engine increased from 3.8 to 4.0-litres at mid-season last year, and, after an air restrictor size reduction for 2009, the power plant now delivers approximately 450 horsepower at 7,800 RPM and develops a maximum torque of 430 Nm at 7,250 rpm, with a maximum engine speed of 9000 RPM. As a result of these changes, the engine features an optimized torque curve, producing more power at lower RPM, which offers better driveability.

In the cockpit, a new multi-function display located above the dashboard indicates the optimum moment to change gears. Another new feature is the programmable multi-function, onboard supply system, giving teams the choice of many individual functions, including infinitely adjustable blinking frequency of the front lights, which helps pit crews recognize their race cars as they enter the pits in the dark. For easier servicing under race conditions, the GT3 RSR features a new air-jack system with an over-pressure valve, and the oil refill inlet with fast filling function has now moved to the rear lid, giving mechanics better access.

The GT3 RSR, along with the GT3 Cup and GT3 Cup S, are the three Porsche 911 race cars offered by Porsche Motorsport, with the RSR version being hand built from the ground up in Weissach, Porsche’s Motorsport Headquarters. About 20 of these GT3 RSR endurance racers are completed and are now being delivered to customer teams around the world. Porsche is the world’s largest manufacture of racing cars, with 265 built last year.

The base price in the United States for the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR is $415,000.

Technical Description Porsche GT3 RSR (2009)

Engine:
Water-cooled, six-cylinder boxer engine; four valves
per cylinder; dry sump lubrication; individual throttle
butterflies; fuel injection; air restrictors 2 x 29.5 mm.

Bore:
102.7 mm

Stroke:
80.4 mm

Capacity:
3,996 cc

Power output:
331 kW (450 bhp) at 7,800 rpm

Max. Torque:
430 Nm at 7,250 rpm

Max. revs:
9,400 rpm

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

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

Suspension:

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

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

Complete suspension infinitely adjustable (height,
camber, track).

Brakes:
Brake system with balance bar control.

Front:
Single-piece six-piston aluminium fixed callipers;
inner-vented, 380 mm in diameter; racing brake pads.

Rear: Single-piece four-piston aluminium fixed callipers;
inner-vented, 355 mm in diameter; racing brake pads.

Wheels:

Front:
Three-piece BBS light-alloy wheels (11J x 18-34);
central bolt;

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

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

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