Porsche GT Team Bids Farewell To GTE-Pro With Special Livery
A full decade after it first participated in that series.
Saying Goodbye
Porsche is in the process of bidding farewell to the GTE-Pro class of the FIA World Endurance Championship WEC after ten years, which is a pretty historic moment for the automaker. As such, it recently fielded two very special 911 RSR racers at the final round of the season in Bahrain, each sporting a livery designed to mark this particular occasion.
Photos: Porsche
Saying Goodbye, Literally
Set against the white base coat, the two 911 RSRs fielded by Manthey feature vivid red, blue, pink, black, gold, and gray stripes on the front, sides, and rear wing. On the windshield, the word “goodbye” is emblazoned in bold lettering. The automaker's 16 class victories since 2013 are immortalized on the fenders of the two cars. Written on the roof are the names of all drivers from the last ten years of factory racing, along with the word “goodbye” in the national language of the respective world championship venues where the 911 RSR raced.
Photos: Porsche
End of an Era
“Our racing cars will be truly eye-catching at the final round of the FIA WEC. I’m very much looking forward to seeing how the fans react,” said Thomas Laudenbach, Vice President, Porsche Motorsport. “The GTE-Pro class of the World Endurance Championship will be phased out at the end of the 2022 season. So, this will be the swan song event with the works team’s 911 RSR. For this very special occasion, our designers have created a foil wrap that, in my opinion, wonderfully represents the history and successes of the last decade.”
Photos: Porsche
Ideal Combination
“The season finale in Bahrain evokes a lot of emotion for the whole team,” added Alexander Stehlig, Director of Factory Motorsport FIA WEC. “In recent, years, the mechanics, engineers, and drivers have experienced many highlights in the GTE-Pro class. Our Porsche 911 RSR was always one of the most distinctive, popular, and successful racing cars in the fiercely contested manufacturer team category. As this great program comes to an end, we’d like to add another highlight – in both a sporting and optical sense. I think we’ve created the perfect design. It is the ideal combination of modern styles and historic colours.”
Photos: Porsche
One Chapter Closes
The chapter of the works team in the GTE-Pro class closes with the 62nd race since 2013 as the category will be shelved next year, though the Porsche 911 RSR will continue to race in the FIA WEC.
Photos: Porsche
Moving On
In 2023, customer teams will field the proven racer in the GTE-Am class. Starting next year, the sports car manufacturer from Stuttgart will tackle the new season of the World Endurance Championship and the North American IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship with the Porsche 963 under the banner of Porsche Penske Motorsport with the intention of claiming overall victories, most notably at the classics in Le Mans, Daytona, and Sebring.
Photos: Porsche
Alternatives
Still, this occasion is a bit somber for some, including Porsche, which has seen its fair share of success in this particular series. Luckily for us, there's still plenty of motorsports action out there for our viewing pleasure.
Photos: Porsche
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