No Porsche's in 2013?

[Great Dane]

A few weeks ago it was announced that Porsche would stop development of the 997 /911 (the current GTE Pro and Am car)and only supply spares to ensure the car could race in 2013. At the same time the American Flying Lizards team (the semi factory team in the ALMS and Le Mans)released a press note thanking Porsche for the support and work done by technical staff and the drivers etc. Yesterday it came out that Porsche had in fact stopped factory support to Felbermayr and Lizards.

As the new car, the 991 will not be legal until 2014 we now face the prospect of no serious works Porsche representation in the WEC, ALMS and Le Mans.

[LukeSi]

No Porsche? If this year was anything to go by then the grid will be about half the size without them.

[playalistic]

This must amount to a serious cock-up from Porsche. Surely the teams will not wait for the RSR equivalent 991 and just decamp to other manufacturers as they want to race, not wait around for an unknown quantity (though I'm sure it will be mighty) for an unspecified amount of time?

I appreciate the homologation (not to mention development) process of the 991 GT car is a long and drawn out process but it should have started when the 991 was in development and been concurrent.

[webby74]

Would the lack of factory support also have anything to do with the pending lmp1 development?

[Burrow01]

US withdrawl was announced a while ago

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/103755

[playalistic]

webby74 said:

Would the lack of factory support also have anything to do with the pending lmp1 development?

I'd wager more the fact that with the RSR they're polishing a turd when compared to the other GT cars and want to focus on the 991.

[DS240]

The 997 is quite an old race car now compared to some of the competition and there is only so far they can take it.

They have to weigh up waiting fit the all new car and 'wasting' time with the old one.

Apparently Porsche are quite experienced at this Le man stuff, so I'm sure they've worked out what their racing programme timetable is and the affects of it. I'm sure they didn't finish off the 991 and someone then said 'oh damn we forgot the racing programme'!

[playalistic]

Interesting and according to this article the 991 will be ready for European delivery next year:

http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1080490_2013-po...

Looks pretty mean too.

[DS240]

That looks a beast!

[Great Dane]

My source had told me about this car a while ago but I was sworn to secrecy What teams are going to race it though

[Burrow01]

Flying Lizards in GTC next year

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/104238

[Great Dane]

Two 991's confirmed today for WEC (and Le Mans) run by Manthay - and it is a Porsche AG factory effort

[FredericRobinson]

Pro or Am?

[Some Gump]

Lol, noone saw that coming!
So much for "a total cock up by porsche", pity there are no lizard 911 rsr's though.

[Great Dane]

FredericRobinson said:

Pro or Am?

New cars are always Pro... Am is for cars more than a year old.. so it is Pro

Funny thing was when Krohn wanted a new Italia for this season, he specifically had it built to 2011 specs in order he could race in the AM class - even though it technically was a 2012 car - a little lophole there

Edited by Great Dane on Sunday 2nd December 16:55

[FredericRobinson]

Last years car surely, if Porsche aren't doing any more development?

[vincegail]

FredericRobinson said:

Last years car surely, if Porsche aren't doing any more development?

Development on the 997 incarnation of the 911 has stopped, but development on the 991 is just starting! And those are the ones Manthey are going to race next year.

[FredericRobinson]

How's that going to be homologated? I thought the road car won't be out until the end of next year?

[Great Dane]

FredericRobinson said:

How's that going to be homologated? I thought the road car won't be out until the end of next year?

this is how...

"Dear ACO,

Would you like the Porsche factory to enter two brand new factory team cars in the GTE category for the WEC?

Regards

Porsche AG"

[vincegail]

^^^^
This is probably how it works!