Porsche 911 GT3 R Posts Promising Results Thus Far

DTM Testing

With the new 992-gen Porsche 911 debuting a few years ago, a new racing version of that iconic model - or several racing versions, rather - was bound to follow. True to form, the 992-generation 911 GT3 R is the latest to emerge from Porsche's engineering department, and it's already looking quite promising after completing DTM testing in Austria by customer teams Manthey EMA, Team75 Bernhard, and Toksport WRT.

Photos: Porsche

Preparing for the Season

Those teams got a good bit of wheel time with six practice sessions lasting more than 12 hours and 45 minutes, helping the 25 teams in attendance prepare for the upcoming DTM season, which gets underway on the last weekend in May with the first two races held in Oschersleben.

Photos: Porsche

Largest Contingent

The three Porsche customer teams each field two 911 GT3 R racers. Those cars collectively covered a total of 816 laps, which equates to a distance of around 3,523 kilometers on the 4.318-kilometer alpine circuit. Of the 28 registered vehicles in this season’s DTM, 25 took part in the two-day event in Spielberg, Austria. With six 911 entries, Porsche is represented by the largest contingent among the six brands present.

Photos: Porsche

Thrilling Series

“Our three Porsche customer teams were able to tick off all items on their schedule without any notable problems,” said Sebastian Golz, Project Manager, Porsche 911 GT3 R. “The DTM environment is ideal: a top-class driver line-up, extremely experienced and strong teams as well as a balanced, internationally comparable and thus transparent Balance of Performance classification guarantee close competition. Fans, drivers, and participants can all look forward to a thrilling series.”

Photos: Porsche

Leanring Process

The management team at Manthey EMA, Team75 Bernhard, and Toksport WRT essentially had the same priorities at the Red Bull Ring - to verify the set-up parameters and configurations, simulate qualifying laps and longer runs, as well as practice routine procedures such as pit stops. “This was our first time at a racetrack with both cars and our full team contingent and so we could refine our internal processes,” said Team75 boss and Porsche ambassador Timo Bernhard. “Over the weekend, we learned a lot that we can immediately implement at the first race in Oschersleben. All in all, we’ve made great progress in our pre-season preparations.”

Photos: Porsche

Pure Optimism

“The tests went very well," added Tim Heinemann of Toksport WRT. "We covered around 600 kilometers each day and tried out a lot of things. I got the chance to familiarize myself with the car. The 992-generation 911 GT3 R is new for all of us Porsche drivers. After advancing from the DTM Trophy, I’m now getting used to the new environment and adapting my driving style to suit the GT3 racing car. So my main priority was to clock up as many kilometers as possible. I achieved that so I’m feeling very positive. It feels great and I’m optimistic about the start of the season.”

Photos: Porsche

Mixture of Experience

The three Porsche customer teams rely on a combination of seasoned drivers and talented youngsters. Manthey EMA drivers Dennis Olsen and Thomas Preining have already scored victories in last year’s DTM. Team75’s driver Ayhancan Güven and Christian Engelhart have also previously contested DTM races. However, the two Germans - Laurin Heinrich and Tim Heinemann - head into new territory. Including Olsen, Preining, Güven, and Heinrich, four of the six 911 GT3 R DTM drivers have come up through the ranks via the Porsche Junior program, however, which bodes well for their chances this season.

Photos: Porsche

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