GT4 Clubsport Images

[ralphmusic]

A planet-9 post has pix from the LA Show

http://www.planet-9.com/gallery/showimage.php?i=36703&c=853

The door seems to incorporate electric window controls?

and Cruise Control?

 

[CarreraGTS]

How "Blumin" quick will that be .... Wow - set your ass on fire

 

[ralphmusic]

A PCA video, shame about the music...

[link=https://www.pca.org/news/2015-11-20/video-pca-spotlight-ten-distinctive-features-porsche-cayman-gt4-clubsport ]https://www.pca.org/news/...an-gt4-clubsport [/link]

 

[Motorhead]

Ralph,

That battery doesn't look particulaly lightweight to me and I see that they've included a front strut brace (I wondered if that would fit your 981S but maybe the battery would get in the way).

As you say, electric windows is a bit of a surprise but maybe it's part of the race regs. The car's certainly no lightweight and I think the power's the same as that in the road car.

At least there's now a Cayman race car out there and hopefully a precursor of things to come.

Jeff

 

[ralphmusic]

Apparently Manthey will be offering upgrades under a GT4 Trophy brand name including a 100L FT3 fuel tank, Recaro P1300GT seat, fire extinguishing system, window net, custom spring / dampener tuning, airlift system and air conditioning. They will be at the Essen Show November 27 thru December 6.

 

[ralphmusic]

A PCA video about the car..

[link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9Jv61IxA-g]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9Jv61IxA-g[/link]

 

[flat6]

A good explanation about the car and its purpose. But where should we expect it's most high profile racing to be? I'm unclear what Porsche wants to achieve with the car, albeit in the hands of independents.

 

[ralphmusic]

In Europe, see

[link=http://www.manthey-racing.de/nextshopcms/show.asp?lang=de&e1=221&ssid=1&mdocid=329&newsid=477]http://www.manthey-racing.de/nextshopcms/show.asp?lang=de&e1=221&ssid=1&mdocid=329&newsid=477[/link]

It refers to the Sports Cup Europe which is here

[link=http://www.porsche.com/porschesportscup-germany/]http://www.porsche.com/porschesportscup-germany/[/link]

In the USA, there are several series being planned although they seem to be either unique to the Cayman GT4, or sub-classes of existing series.

Why did Porsche introduce the Clubsport? (in IMHO) I think a large part is the significant number of Caymans racing in the USA where it has proved a popular platform in 986, 987 and now in 981 form for race teams who have built race cars for their own use and for sale for racing and track days. More generally it is a halo product supporting the road version and that was aimed very successfully at the gap beneath the 991 GT3 and 'vacated' by the 996 GT3.

 

[MrDemon]

well as the GT3 wins nothing these days lets hope Porsche can win a GT4 race now ;-)

 

[ralphmusic]

well as the GT3 wins nothing these days lets hope Porsche can win a GT4 race now ;-)

There is some life left in the old boy with the RSR of Patrick Pilet winning GT Le Mans series in the USA including an outright win with Nick Tandy in the wet at Road Atlanta against LMP2 type cars. The RSR also won WEC's LMGTE Pro Championship and Pilet was Champion in this as well.

I think the GT4 Clubsport at 1300kg with 380hp is going to struggle in FIA/Euro GT4 classes (Ginetta G50 has 340hp and weighs 1010kg) but it is a BoP series which in 2015 was won in a Camaro.....

 

[ralphmusic]

Some pictures from Manthey's stand at the Essen show.

 

[Motorhead]

Here's an interview at the LA International Auto Show with GT4 Clubsport Project Manager Matthias Scholz:

[link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9Jv61IxA-g]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9Jv61IxA-g[/link]

Jeff

 

[ralphmusic]

And to compare and contrast, BMW's 2013 GT4 Motorsport product....

 

[flat6]

In Europe, see [link=http://www.manthey-racing.de/nextshopcms/show.asp?lang=de&e1=221&ssid=1&mdocid=329&newsid=477]http://www.manthey-racing.de/nextshopcms/show.asp?lang=de&e1=221&ssid=1&mdocid=329&newsid=477[/link] It refers to the Sports Cup Europe which is here [link=http://www.porsche.com/porschesportscup-germany/]http://www.porsche.com/porschesportscup-germany/[/link] In the USA, there are several series being planned although they seem to be either unique to the Cayman GT4, or sub-classes of existing series.

There is some life left in the old boy with the RSR of Patrick Pilet winning GT Le Mans series in the USA including an outright win with Nick Tandy in the wet at Road Atlanta against LMP2 type cars. The RSR also won WEC's LMGTE Pro Championship and Pilet was Champion in this as well.

I think the GT4 Clubsport at 1300kg with 380hp is going to struggle in FIA/Euro GT4 classes (Ginetta G50 has 340hp and weighs 1010kg) but it is a BoP series which in 2015 was won in a Camaro.....

Indeed some life left in the old boy. You could buy this instead [] [link=http://www.total911.com/why-not-buy-a-porsche-997-gt3-r-this-black-friday/]http://www.total911.com/why-not-buy-a-porsche-997-gt3-r-this-black-friday/[/link]

Old tech still keeping up with new tech [] [link=http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NO9pAs8tMds]http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NO9pAs8tMds[/link]

But on a serious note, what do you reckon is the most HP that Porsche will drop into the engine bay of the Cayman over time? I think this first step is at least a good sign. They are experimenting with the market and with the Cayman. If it races well with this standard engine, it will be hard to resist extending its capabilities and taking it into higher classes. But as you say, it seems to be aimed more at amateur / semi-professional racing such as the Porsche Sports Cup, for now...

 

[Motorhead]

Difficult to say what power the current Cayman is capable of managing 6 - certainly more than 400hp - but with the turbo engines coming along you can be sure that the next version (post 981.2) is being designed for 400hp+.

I also think it's inevitable that at some stage a turbo engine will feature in the GT4, so there has to be the potential for 450hp+ with appropriate tuning.

Jeff

 

[ralphmusic]

Two questions here,

1. How much power can the platform handle (sub question is 981.1 GT version or something else), and

2. how does whatever fit in Porsche's product marketing plan.

I guess answer to first is at least 500hp subject to managing heat and robust rear suspension arrangement. Maybe it will need a wider rear end - it's only one of many midish engine cars after all and of note 'only' because of Porsche's rear engine legacy.

On the second, who knows but I would guess over time the 911 migrates to GT as in grand tourer and the sports car line builds on the mid engined platform

 

[flat6]

I think as you say 450 to 500hp is possible but with some significant enlargement of the bits responsible for transferring that to the road without spinning up the rear wheels too easily, such as a much wider rear track. I used to think they'll move the 911 out of racing and bring in the mid-engine platform more but the way they've mastered exploiting the 911’s rear traction I don't know any more. For such a small car to be able to transfer over 600hp, compared to the dimensions of say a mid-engined Ferrari, it's quite something. I agree, what they do with both will be driven by marketing. Do they feel the 911 has to keep racing, as part of the Porsche and 911 identity. Or do they feel the 911’s identity is on the road and they will focus more on racing prototypes such as in WEC. Or do they introduce a larger mid-engined car above the 911, for road and racing, and leave the Cayman where it is.

 

[ralphmusic]

First British race team for GT4 Clubsport...

Porsche specialists In2Racing are the first British GT contenders to commit to the new machine, although it’s not the first Cayman to appear in the GT4 class in Britain. A PROsport-designed version of the Cayman made a one-off appearance at Donington Park in September, while a 911 variant has been run by several teams since 2014.

Whilst Team Principal Nick Dudfield wouldn’t be drawn on potential driver line-ups, he did hint that a GT3 entry could also be added to the confirmed GT4 programme.

“We’ve been looking to get back into endurance racing and British GT provides the perfect stepping stone to European competition, which is the longer-term aim,” he said. “That would have to be a GT3 programme in Blancpain so although our emphasis is currently centred around GT4 there’s a chance you might see us running something else next season, too.

“Plans are progressing nicely and I’d like to think we’ll have everything sorted before Christmas. In2Racing should have two of the new Caymans on the British GT grid next season. Our current links with Porsche and their excellent customer service meant they were a logical choice. The car looks great and Porsche has a fantastic track record.”

Credit: [link=http://www.dailysportscar.com/2015/12/08/in2racing-for-british-gt-cayman-gt4-campaign.html]http://www.dailysportscar...yman-gt4-campaign.html[/link]