Ed Hughes

For those of you not keeping up with all things Porsche, a few months ago, the Flying Lizards announced they'd again run the 24 Hour Rolex race @ Daytona.....but this time running a prototype car. Of course, it's powered by the latest 6 cylinder technology that Weissach offers, and today Jorg Bergmeister set a Daytona record lap while qualifying on the pole.

Let's face it, a lot of you have nothing better to do than tune into Speed TV this weekend to help with the Porsche mojo.....there's a legitimate chance for an overall win. Porsche power won last year, but that was an 8 cyl. Long live the flat SIX!

http://www.grand-am.com/news/index.c...es=r&cid=41088

rusnak

...and long live the Lizards (for 24 Hrs at a time)!!!

SeanR

Wow, missed that today, thanks for sharing.

race911

Ever taken a look at how convoluted the rules are to "equalize" things?

Amber Gramps

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmeyvQcciTQ

Ed Hughes

Well, it's working to keep "outdated" technology, and 6 vs 8 cyl in the hunt.

Ed Hughes

That was an awesome lap, but actually, the last 10 minutes of that race was some of the best racing I've ever seen. Charlie was still alive then, and was kind of freaked out as I was hooting and hollering at the TV the entire last several laps.

Pat Long got to return the favor to his partner, and ran the end of last year's Laguna race in similar fashion against BMW-every bit as close, but no fireworks after the last turn as show in this video. I watch a lot of races every year-it doesn't get much better than what has gone on at Laguna Seca in the ALMS races the last two years.

I'm set to go to LS for the historics this year, and have the ALMS race, and the Rolex race here too, on my calendar. Great excuses for a road trip up North.

We ought to get an informal RL get together set up for one of the races???!

rusnak

laguna would be awesome. When is it?

Ed Hughes

The ALMS race is Sept 17. The Grand-Am race is July 9. I know there will be a Porsche Corral for ALMS, I would think there'd at least be a PCA deal for Grand-Am.

Here's the FLMS release:

http://www.lizardms.com/news/releases/2011/jan-27.html

Tango635

Ed,

I was reading about McLaren entering their 12C into GT3 racing and also wondering if Ruf might campaign their V8 powered 911 in GT3 as well. How soon do you think we'll see McLaren's car on the circuit? It will be interesting as they seem to have Porsche in their sights. OK, well who doesn't. Take a number is more like it and you're right, hooray for the flat 6!

On the other hand, the conspiracy theorist in me wonders if Porsche is funding Ruf behind the scenes to help develop a next gen, V8 powered iteration of the 911 in an effort to head off increasingly stiff competition and escalating HP war.

Alfonso

Ed Hughes

My guess is the McLaren will run in the LeMans Series. We may not see it over here, but who knows?

I don't think Porsche dissuades Ruf. I find interesting that a small company can actually design/build a new motor!

jackb911

I'm quite the 'air-cooled six' Porsche purist but admittedly I am intrigued by the RUF V-8 powered 911. That is a nicely engineered engine and you have to admit, it is a LOT more visually appealing than what is in a 996 or 997.

UberXY

It will not surprise me if the Porsche 999 is a V8 911.

RollingArt

Would surprise the heck out of me.

I don't think we'll ever see Porsche put a V8 in a 911. Hybrid will be next.




Phil

whalebird

I'd say your on to something. A V8 could be a hard sell to the 911 camp.
I would love to see another flat 4...as tossed around with the baby boxster. It would be nice to see a rear flat four in the next "new" Beetle, and maybe a retro VW bus with rear 4 platform. Turbos, AWD, efficiency; would be refreshing in the market place today outside the asians, and from the inventors of the heritage.