Mini-Series Porsche GT Racing Part 2

The #55 JWA-Avila Porsche 997 GT3 RSR driven by Paul Daniels, Joël Camathias and Markus Palttala

This feature, the second in our four-part mini-series, picks up where we left off last time (2005-2008) and highlights the continued growth and success of the evergreen Porsche 911 on the European scene between 2010 and 2012. Having benefitted from full media and photographer access at these races, we were able to get trackside and in the pit and paddock, and we can now bring you a selection of images from our archive.

The #88 Team Felbermayr-Proton Porsche 997 GT3 RSR driven by Horst Felbermayr Sr. and Jr. with Miro Konopka

The 911 has been, and will remain, the cornerstone of Porsche’s motorsport effort and this feature looks at the 997 model up until it bowed out of competition in 2012. The following season saw the introduction of a new 911 RSR that was based on the 991 roadgoing model. Looking at the results for the 2012 season, a new car was needed as they finished a quite distant third in GTE Pro.

The #80 Flying Lizard Motorsports Porsche 997 GT3 RSR of Jörg Bergmeister, Lucas Luhr and Patrick Long

But as we have said before, the story of the 911 in motorsport is like no other, because the 911 is the only single continuously evolving sports car model in the market. The 911 model has won more races worldwide than any other manufacturer can claim, and so we unashamedly present a brief look into this remarkable model’s achievements between 2010 and 2012. Buckle up as we take to the starting grid – we hope you enjoy the journey down memory lane…

Motorsport season 2010

The 2010 FIA GT3 European Championship season, which commenced on 1 May at Silverstone, was the fifth season of the FIA GT3 European Championship. The season featured six double-header rounds, with each race lasting for a duration of 60 minutes, with most races serving as support races to the newly formed FIA GT1 World Championship.

FIA GT3 European Championship, Silverstone, 2 May 2010: Siso Cunill and Tim Bergmeister won the season-opening race at Silverstone in their 4-litre #20 Trackspeed Porsche 997 GT3 R (1st in Race 1 & 3rd in Race 2)

FIA GT3 European Championship, Silverstone, 2 May 2010: The Finnish pairing of Petri Lappalainen and Markus Palttala drove their #60 Prospeed Competition Porsche 997 GT3 R to eleventh place in both heats

Although all eyes were on the main Audi/Peugeot battle, there were many close battles being fought all the way down the field. Peugeot definitely had the speed to win, but one by one they all retired with the same mechanical failure, leaving Audi to score a 1-2-3 finish for the fourth time, and earning them their ninth Le Mans victory. The much publicised Beechdean Mansell Ginetta Zytek, driven by three members of the Mansell clan, completed only four laps before it was brought back to the pits on the back of a recovery truck.
Despite being down on the speed of the Corvette and Ferrari, the factory Porsche 997 GT3 RSR had the reliability and keeping out of trouble for 24 hours, was victorious in the LM GT2 class.

Patrick Pilet, Patrick Long and Raymond Narac drove the IMSA Performance Matmut #76 Porsche 997 GT3 RSR

The #77 Team Felbermayr-Proton Porsche 997 GT3 RSR piloted by Marc Lieb, Richard Lietz and Wolf Henzler

The #80 Flying Lizard Motorsports Porsche 997 GT3 RSR of Seth Neiman, Darren Law and Jörg Bergmeister

Marco Holzer, Richard Westbrook and Timo Scheider drove a fine race in their #97 BMS Scuderia Italia SpA Porsche 997 GT3 RSR

The Autosport 1000 km of Silverstone on 12 September was the fifth and final round of the 2010 Le Mans Series season and the inaugural race of the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup. Porsche won all three championship titles in the GT2-class of the Le Mans Series. Fifth position was sufficient for Porsche works drivers Marc Lieb and Richard Lietz to successfully defend the Drivers’ title in the 911 GT3 RSR. The German Felbermayr team under the direction of owner Christian Ried celebrated a convincing win of the Team title for the first time, and in the fiercely-contested GT2 category, Porsche also secured the prestigious Manufacturers’ title.