Mike in CA

According to Michael Cotton in his European Windows column in the December Panorama:

"A massively updated RSR is expected at the final round of the 2013 WEC at Bahrain on November 30. Unlike the current 991 Carrera 4 based RSR, the new GT3 RSR will be based on the road going GT3. It will have wider rear wheels, a rear wing that creates higher downforce, many modifications, and possibly even the 991 GT3's 9A1-based, direct fuel-injected flat six--if the race version is ready."

I don't know if the car actually made it's debut a couple of weeks ago, but it sounds as though at least something is in the works and that there may in fact be a race version of the GT3 9A1 on it's way. Cool....

BBMGT3

porsche finally serious about racing

911dev

that's big news.

Dude-

Wow. Icing on the cake. Thanks for the info Mike.

tcsracing1

that would make way for the 991 GT3RS…..

911rox

I highly doubt that there would be anything in the way of an engine update only months after the car was launched and delivered. The cost, tooling and logistics associated with changing engine platform mid life cycle make this wishful thinking at best on the writer's part... They've started with the mezger and will finish with the same engine out of fairness to their motorsport customers IMO...Just saying...

TRAKCAR

Years away from race proven 9A1's me thinks.

Mike in CA

Chris, it's possible that this wouldn't need to be a major retooling of the engine platform, just tweaks. And it wouldn't be the first time the factory had something for a specific series (WEC in this case) that it's customers didn't have.

Cotton usually has pretty solid inside info.....I imagine Pete Stout would frown on printing wild speculation. Anyway, just passing on a quote of interest with minor editorializing ; time will tell if it proves true....

Nan P

Keeping my fingers crossed; very interested!
Thanks for the update Mike.

tcsracing1

what are the regulations for the RSR in terms of having so much % of the street car and production numbers?

jumper5836

I really hope they race the new engine.

911rox

Cool Mike, assumed it was an update being rolled out to all owners... If it's a factory specific experiment I suppose that's different...

My feeling is that if a 9A1 based motor makes it into a race car, it will likely be cup cars and the like before the flagship machine... You're rite however, time will tell so we'll stay tuned

TRAKCAR

$100 bucks 2:1 that it's a Mezger.

911rox

^ Agreed

Petevb

I don't know, starting in the RSRs makes a lot of sense to me. There are far fewer RSRs, so the factory can focus their efforts on relatively small numbers (or even just a couple factory backed teams). I know the factory occasionally sends sealed motors out for specific races- they ship the motor, race it, and the team sends it back to Germany unopened so that a) the factory can inspect it, and b) the factory isn't giving away any secrets.

Assuming they can make the new engine relatively plug and play that sounds like a perfect way to get their feet wet. If that's the plan the factory might not even know when they will first use it yet- depends on when it passes internal durability tests, etc. Once it's proven in a small number of RSRs then I'd feel much more comfortable tooling up to make a large number of de-tuned cup motors.

No idea if this is simply a rumor with no basis, but that's probably where I'd start.