GT3 RS and Röhrl to compete in 2010 Nürburgring 24 Hour Race

GT3 RS and Röhrl to compete in 2010 Nürburgring 24 Hour Race

Stuttgart. Porsche ambassador and test driver - and double world rally champion - Walter Röhrl (62) will compete in the Nürburgring 24 hour race in May 2010 in a standard new Porsche 911 GT3 RS. It will also mark Röhrl's return to Germany's largest automobile race since last competing in 1993.

From 1993 to date, Röhrl has conducted tests in every standard Porsche vehicle on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife. "Right from the word go, the new 911 GT3 RS reminded me of a race vehicle," says Röhrl. "No other road-going 911 has ever been as close to a race car as this current GT3 RS. That's why I'm thrilled to be able to prove that this sports car is up to the challenge of the 24 hour race."

The new Porsche 911 GT RS is powered by a 450 hp, 3.8-litre, six-cylinder boxer engine. The high-revving unit reaches a specific output of over 118 hp per litre. Developed in the motorsport department at Weissach, the 911 GT3 RS is fitted with a particularly short transmission ratio for racing purposes as a standard feature. The dynamic engine mounts featured as standard contribute to improved driving dynamics. Depending on the driving situation, the mounts change in their stiffness and damping effect, improving the connection between the engine and body when driving under racing conditions. The aerodynamics is consequently designed for downforce - another forte for track racing.

"In the last years, Porsche racing vehicles have performed brilliantly at the 24 hour race on the Nürburgring with their speed and extraordinary reliability," says Hartmut Kristen, Head of Porsche Motorsport. "Four times straight, it was the Porsche GT3 RSR that was the vehicle to dominate the overall classification. I'm very pleased to see one of our Weissach-developed road-going vehicles competing parallel to the thoroughbred racers and proving its suitability for long distance competition."

The 38th running of the Nürburgring 24 hour race takes place on 15-16 May 2010. Every year, this event attracts far more than 200,000 spectators to the Nordschleife.