Porsche 911 GT2 RS claims Nurburgring lap record
With a little help from Lars Kern and a Manthey Performance Kit...
Just last month we brought you news that the 911 GT3 RS MR had broken the official Nurburgring tape at 6:54.340 - which was mighty impressive for a car unsullied by turbochargers. Now it appears the team were just warming up for the main show. Because evidently Lars Kern has taken a 911 GT2 RS equipped with the Manthey Performance Kit round in 6:43.300, which Porsche is claiming as an outright road-approved production car record.
Now. Quite where the distinction between 'road car' and 'modified car' is, it's hard to say. Because the lap set by Kevin Estre in the 911 GT3 RS MR is officially listed in the latter category - as is the previous time recorded by the 911 GT2 RS MR in 2018. But Porsche clearly thinks it's on solid ground, given the time was set 'in the presence of a notary' as required now by any record-setting wannabe, and confidently states that the 6:48.047 benchmark set by the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series is no more.
Either way, the GT2's 4.747-second advantage is a notable one. As Andreas Preuninger himself notes: "This 6:43.300 time for the whole lap is equivalent to 6:38.835 for the old shorter variant, so makes a real statement." Indeed it does. If Wikipedia's account of these things is correct, that's nearly 10 seconds quicker than the time Kern managed in a 'standard' GT2 RS in 2017. It is 10 seconds quicker than the Radical SR8 LM lap recorded by Evo in 2009. Bonkers.
As ever, tyres play their part. The Manthey Performance Kit car featured the same Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R rubber as the Black Series, and doubtless they contributed to the impressive 115.5mph average speed. As of course did the chassis, aerodynamic and brake components specially developed for the GT2 by Manthey and Porsche engineers.
Most significant are the bits which effect airflow, additional flaps on the front spoiler and air guides around the wheels increasing downforce on the front axle while a new spoiler and modified diffuser take care of things at the back. The result is equivalent to 200kg pushing down on the rear of the GT2 at 124mph - where previously there was only 93.
The track-optimised coilover suspension is adjustable through three settings at the front and four at the back, and there are special racing pads for the PCCB ceramic brake system to reduce fade. Not to mention steel-encased brake lines for better pedal feedback. The wheels, measuring 20/21-inch, are the magnesium items familiar from the Weissach Pack and save 11.4kg over standard. Elsewhere you get an additional water tank for spray cooling the intercoolers.
"The 911 GT2 RS sticks to the track like glue with the Manthey Performance Kit - you feel as if you're in a racing car, especially on faster corners. It is truly breathtaking how the car puts its 700hp down, and how incredibly well it brakes while always remaining easy to control," commented Kern. The team reported a track temperature of 41 degrees during the test.
If you fancy replicating his effort (or at least owning a car with the potential to do so) the Manthey Performance Kit by Porsche Tequipment is available to order now in Europe, and will follow in the UK at a later date. The manufacturer doesn't specify a price, but given the extent of the alterations and the fact that the kit is currently only available as a complete package, we're going to say lots. Which is what 4.747 seconds commands in 2021.
So yes quite a lot of people care.
Porsche owners have a tendency to track their cars more than Ferrari or lambo from my experience
This isn't a road car per se, Porsche with the GT+MR package makes for trackday cars that are reliable and fast and which you can drive to and from the track without a trailer. Basically track driving made easy.
As for cost, in context of what race cars and other supercars 'for the road'° cost, this isn't half bad for the speed even if it is half a million quid. Motorsport is expensive...
° Not sure what most supercars' speed is for, mostly unusable on the road and actually not directly suitable for actual extended trackdriving either...
F1 is a prime example, the slowest car with the worse driver on good tyres will out perform Hamilton and Mercedes on old tyres (20 lap old).
Power, aero, weight, materials, suspension..... all very incremental. But tyre performance is advancing quicker than all combined.
Put this same car on tyres engineered 10 years ago, and I think you would see a huge chunk of the time eroded.
Likewise, stick that Radical SR8 on brand new cut slicks, high end road tyres and it would go much faster.
It's an impressive feat, but really for 99.999% of the population totally irrelevant.
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