First track day for 2012 Porsche 911 GT3 RSR

Flying Lizard, Paul Miller and Falken Tire became the first teams to take the all-new 2012 Porsche 911 GT3 RSR race machines on track as they were wheeled out at Sebring in preparation of the 12 -Hours of Sebring next month.

The new car is wider, runs wider rear tyres and bigger front wheels and needed extra wide bodywork to cover the rubber.

Various aero tricks have also been added to the car including new ducting routes, cooling channels and various downforce enhancement devices are visible.

We think it looks mean and ready to eat the competition. Press release and more pictures after the jump.

PRESS RELEASE


2012 Porsche 911 GT3 RSR Debuts at Sebring Test with Four Race Cars


Flying Lizard Motorsports, Paul Miller Racing, and Team Falken Tire First in the World to show new car to the public


Sebring, Fla. – February 9 -- The new Porsche 911 GT3 RSR race cars, still in plain white livery as they arrived from the factory in the last week or two, made their world debut as three U.S. customer teams gave them their first race track test preparing for next month's 60th Anniversary Mobil 1Twelve Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh from Florida.


The top-of-the-line model of Porsche Motorsport's customer racing vehicles will head into the 2012 season with extensive modifications. Particularly striking at first glance are the changes to the body: the width of the new GT3 RSR has grown by 48 millimeters. Built to conform to the A.C.O. "LM" GTE regulations, the 911 represents the crowning pinnacle of a range of successful customer sport race cars that are based on the 911 GT3 RS (type 997) street sports car.


Continuing to powering the new 911 GT3 RSR is a particularly efficient six-cylinder boxer engine with a four-liter capacity. With a mandatory air-restrictor, it generates 460 hp (338 kW) and drives the 310 millimeter- wide rear wheels. The diameter of the front wheels has increased by 30 mm to now measure 680 millimeters. The Porsche sequential six-speed gearbox is operated via paddle shifts on the steering wheel.


The nose and rear panels are adapted to the flared front and rear wheel arches, as are the door sill and the wheel arch coverings. The aerodynamic concept is complemented by a new ducting of the intake air. Openings in the rear side sections, as known from the turbo variants of the Porsche 911, replace the air scoop on the engine hood, which is very similar to the 911 GT2 RS street sports car.


The four new 911 GT3 RSRs will be competing in the American Le Mans Series. The car can also compete at the Le Mans 24 Hours, the FIA World Endurance Championship, and the Le Mans Series, as well as the International GT Open and in other series and races.


"Our customer teams can expect a technically mature, high performance race car with which they will be highly competitive at international long distance races," assures Hartmut Kristen, Head of Porsche Motorsport. "Our test program on various international race tracks is currently running at full speed. We are very pleased with the car's performance and drivability."