Manthey takes 7 seconds off GT2 RS 'ring time
No more power, but chassis and aero mods get a road legal 911 to 6:40...
For those who need their really fast Porsche to be even more rapid, Manthey Racing is the company to visit. With no additional power, its Nurburgring expertise has created a 991.1 GT3 RS capable of a 7:10 lap (against 7:20 as standard), as well as a tweaked Cayman GT4 that took 13 seconds out of the normal car (7:29 vs 7:42) again with standard power. When you've won as much at the Nordschleife as Manthey has, it's clear you know a thing or two about getting a Porsche around the circuit pretty damn quick.
Now comes news of the latest fast-Porsche-made-faster; a GT2 RS with MR's latest range of aero and chassis tweaks has lapped the Nordschleife in 6:40.3, against 6:47.3 for the standard car. Seven seconds might not seem huge on a track that long, but when the 2 RS represents the very pinnacle of Porsche Motorsport's road car programme it's some achievement. Behind the wheel for both of those laps was Lars Kern, too, so there can't be any suggestion of a quicker driver this time around.
There isn't yet a huge amount of detail available on just want Manthey has done, there simply being mention of "targeted modifications" in "the areas of chassis and aerodynamics", with the kit supplemented "by an overall vehicle setup tailored to the circuit characteristics of the Nurburgring Nordschleife." That might make it sound like an undriveable race car with numberplates, but don't forget how good some cars with a 'ring setup are on the road - see Golf Clubsport S - and Manthey also stated that suitability for road driving was focused on "at all times."
Sounds like one heck of an upgrade, then. In fact the only thing that seems to be missing at the moment is a video of the 6:40 lap, so keep your eyes peeled for that very soon. Should a 700hp 911 RS made even more circuit focused sound right up your street, the MR kit is available to order now.
It probably isnt relevant for say a Skoda Octavia diesel taxi but it is for a Porsche 911, especially one as focused as a GT2 with extra carbon sprinkles.
I know Jeremy Clarkson decided it was pointless a few years back, but the fact manufacturers still keep going back suggests they put some value in it, at the end of the day it doesnt matter, all car racing is frivolous and utterly pointless by and large, but its fun and interesting, so thats why it has a point.
However, part of me thinks that its another 'yardstick' to measure ultimate performance and in some ways no different to subjecting cars to a 0-62, 1/4mile, 30-50 and 5-70mph test.
The difference is of course that it could be termed an 'absolute' test as it really reveals a cars speed, handling and braking at the limit. Obviously weather can play a greater effect at the Nürburgring, but nonetheless its a measure of testing.
My personal view is that I couldn't give a monkeys whether a 911 does a lap 7 seconds faster than another one as I'm never likely to be in a position to pit my skills, or lack of, against such times.
But still, its a 2-fingered salute to the muesli-treading, sandal-wearing, real-ale drinking, flat-earth believing environMentalists….and long may it continue.
And reading back the above, I think I might have contradicted myself!
Lot's of them.
Two fantastic car outfits that should combine to give us Insel lieben
Over that distance I'd say it's more a measure of driver skill and experience.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff