Porsche with seven works drivers at American Le Mans Series in Florida
One of the most famous long distance races in the world turns 60. The twelve hour classic on the Sebring International Raceway is the oldest and toughest sports car race in the USA. Not only does the American Le Mans Series kick off the new season at the anniversary event on 17 March on the legendary airfield circuit in the heart of Florida. Fans can also experience the long-awaited debut of the new World Endurance Championship as well as the first race outing of the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, which underwent improvements in many areas. As the most successful manufacturer in the history of the race, Porsche is strongly represented with seven works drivers.
On 15 March, 1952, the 12 hour race celebrated its inauguration. Immortalised on the winners’ list are racing legends like Juan Manuel Fangio, Phil Hill, Dan Gurney, Jacky Ickx and Mario Andretti. Hollywood stars have also fulfilled their racing dreams here: For instance, Steve McQueen who finished second overall in 1970 with a Porsche 908. The 5.954 kilometre Sebring International Raceway with its 17 corners was built on a former military airfield and is notorious for its bumpy surface. Added to this are the often very high temperatures. These stress factors on man and machine make this race a real test of endurance leading up to the Le Mans 24 Hours.
Porsche factory pilots Marc Lieb (Germany), Richard Lietz (Austria) and Patrick Pilet (France) contest the new World Endurance Championship in Sebring at the wheel of the new Porsche 911 GT3 RSR fielded by the Felbermayr-Proton team. In the American Le Mans Series, Porsche works drivers Joerg Bergmeister (Germany), Patrick Long (USA) and Marco Holzer (Germany) make a bid for the title with Flying Lizard Motorsports. Competing for the Falken Tire squad, Porsche factory driver Wolf Henzler (Germany) teams up with Bryan Sellers (USA) and Martin Ragginger (Austria). Also facing strong opposition from BMW, Corvette, Ferrari, Jaguar and Lamborghini in the GT class are Sascha Maassen (Germany), Bryce Miller (USA) and Rob Bell (Great Britain) for Miller Racing as well as the Americans Darren Law, Seth Neiman and Andy Lally in the sister Porsche 911 GT3 RSR entry of Flying Lizard Motorsports.
Hartmut Kristen, Porsche Head of Motorsport said “In many aspects, the race on this demanding circuit gives us an important first evaluation – as the debut of the new FIA World Endurance Championship, the season-opener of the American Le Mans Series and with the initiation of the new 911 GT3 RSR. With this vehicle we have provided our customers with a technically mature, high performance race car. And the clashing of teams from the USA and Europe provides even more suspense.” Marc Lieb said “Sebring is the toughest race of the year, even tougher than the Le Mans 24 Hours. That’s because of the many bumps. Our main priority is to make a good start into the World Endurance Championship season. I’m very much looking forward to this new challenge.” Richard Lietz said “The fact that Sebring hosts the first round of the World Endurance Championship makes it a very special challenge for us. Obviously, we want to start the season with as many points as possible. In Sebring you can’t afford to make the slightest mistake, otherwise you don’t have a chance.”
As the top model of Porsche Motorsport’s customer racing vehicles, the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR heads into the 2012 racing season with extensive modifications. Particularly noticeable is that the width of the body has grown by 48 millimetres. The aerodynamic concept is complemented by a new ducting of the intake air. The particularly efficient six-cylinder boxer engine, with a mandatory air-restrictor, generates 460 hp (338 kW) and drives the 310 millimetre wide rear wheels. The diameter of the front wheels has increased to 680 millimetres. With 18 overall and 64 class victories, Porsche is the most successful manufacturer in the history of the Sebring 12 hour race. The first overall win in 1960 went to Hans Herrmann and Olivier Gendebien with the Porsche RS 60. In recognition of his successes and service to the race, Hans Herrmann will be honoured in the Sebring Hall of Fame this year. In an unprecedented winning streak from 1976 to 1988, Porsche celebrated 13 overall wins in a row with drivers like Hurley Haywood, Al Holbert, Brian Redman, Bob Wollek, A.J. Foyt, Bobby Rahal and Hans-Joachim Stuck. The most recent overall win for Porsche was in 2008 with Timo Bernhard, Romain Dumas and Emmanuel Collard at the wheel of the RS Spyder fielded by Penske Racing. That same year, Joerg Bergmeister, Wolf Henzler and Marc Lieb also secured GT2 class honours with the 911 GT3 RSR run by Flying Lizard Motorsports.
