Porsche Confirms LDMh Program, Showcases New GT3 Cup Car
Racer.com
Despite pulling some factory backed efforts, Porsche motorsport program is thriving with a new 911 GT3 and IMSA/WEC LMDh cars.
Porsche wants the top step at Le Mans again. We now know that thanks to breaking news from Racer. According to their report, Porche’s CEO, Oliver Blume, is reported saying “The new LMDh category allows us to fight for overall victories with a hybrid system at the Le Mans, Daytona and Sebring classics – without breaking the bank.” This is important considering Porsche’s rapid move towards hybrid and all electric cars.
Plans are in place for Porsche’s LMDh cars to first compete in the 2023 season, giving plenty of development time. So why not race in the coming LMH Le Mans Hypercar category? LMH suffers one critical defeat, in that LMH cars can’t compete in IMSA events. As such, the 24 hours of Daytona and 12 hours of Sebring would be out. LMDh cars are capable of these racem plus Le Mans. Chances are, you may see Toyota have second thoughts about their hypercar program and Join Porsche and Audi.
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For the production car side of things, Porsche has announced an all new GT3 Cup car. Being the first Cup car based on the 992 platform, it comes with a host of all new tech and features. Visually, this GT3 is now wears a turbo widebody for the first time. Visually it is striking, but for performance, it is effective. Bigger aero elements, including wing and front diffuser help increase downforce. Plus, the wider body means it can accomodate larger tires. In this instance, 12 inch wide front wheels, and 13 inch wide wheels out back.
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Driver ergonomics are well sorted, with data analysis easier to access. Plus, the car is replete with functions such as ABS or traction control, if so desired.
They are very specific in saying the car will be faster, specifically one percent faster. While it may seem minimal when spelled out that way, one percent is a significant difference in the world of motorsport. A two-minute lap on a larger circuit will now be completed 1.2 seconds quicker with the 992 Cup car. That’s a significant time drop.
While the 911 RSR is no longer, the GT3 Cup car is a great way to continue to race Porsche’s most iconic car.
Photos: Porsche
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