The Porsche 997 GT3 RSR was built to comply with the 2006 Le Mans GT2 regulations of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO.) as well as the regulations of the international automobile assembly FIA for Series Grand Touring Cars, thus enabling the participation in various racing series.
The GT3 RSR features a watercooled normally aspirated 3.8 (0.2 liter additional displacement compared to the GT3 Cup version) liter flat-six boxer race engine. The powerplant includes four-valve technology, dry-sump lubrication system including an engine mounted dry-sump tank made from carbon fiber, an intake manifold made of carbon fiber with dual air restrictors and single throttle per cylinder and a race exhaust featuring a multiple pipe manifold leading to an open exhaust with no catalytic converter. It provides a restricted 358 kW (485bhp) and 435 Nm and revs up to 9000rpm (and additional 600rpm compared to the GT3 Cup version) The engine power is transmitted to the rear wheels only via a six-speed sequential dog type manual transmission featuring straight cut gears re-designed for optimized drive shaft angle, an “in-line” shift mechanism with sensor controlled traction interruption, single-mass flywheel with triple-disc race clutch and a limited slip differential 40/60 per cent.
The 997 GT3 Cup is equipped with a state of the art suspension equipment featuring a front setup consisting of a Mc Pherson front axle with unibal joints and corresponding changes of kinematics, Sachs gas pressure dampers, double coil springs adjustable in four different positions and is equipped with three-piece BBS light-alloy wheels (11J x 18) with central locking. The rear axle features the same dampers and spring setup and is designed as multi-arm axle with rigidly mounted axle subframe and also is fitted with three-piece BBS light-alloy wheels (13J x 18).
The bodywork consists of a weight optimized and widened 911 GT3 RS chassis (all add-on parts made from carbon/kevlar fiber) featuring an aerodynamically optimized front and rear part, a flat underbody made from carbon fiber, a large adjustable rear wing and a three-point air jack system. The interior features a welded-in roll cage, bucket racing seat (driver side only) with fire retardant upholstery, six-point seat belt prepared for using HANS Safety System (Head And Neck Support System), a removable steering wheel (quick-connect coupling) and a fire extinguishing system.
In comparison to its predecessor (996 GT3 RSR), the 997 RSR disposes of improved aerodynamics and a 10 percent increased stiffness of the chassis. At the same time, the centre of gravity has been lowered significantly. Wider rear fenders and a wider rear track for rear wheels up to 14 inches enhance the performance capabilities of this new racing car and make it competitive against rivals like Ferrari, Panoz and Spyker. Still, performance and reliability remain the outstanding characteristics of the 911 GT3 RSR, which was built also and especially for the insertion in long-distance racing, e. g. at the famous Le Mans 24 Hours.
