The 911 GT2 has the lead in WEC endurance racing and won its class at Le Mans this year.
A Porsche GT2 RS MR with 515 kW (700 hp) completed a lap of the 20.6-kilometer long Nürburgring-Nordschleife in 6:40.3 minutes making it the fastest road-legal vehicle on ‘The Green Hell’ track.
Lars Kern was at the wheel of the sports car, which had been especially set up for the ‘Nordschleife’ by Porsche engineers and Manthey-Racing, of which Porsche AG owns a 51%. The Porsche test driver previously set a lap record in September 2017 in a series-production Porsche 911 GT2 RS. (On-board video: Record run 911 GT2 RS MR on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife)
“We kept our eye on the weather all day and thought hard about whether such a drive was possible. We would not have taken any risks if it was raining or if the track was slightly damp,” says Dr. Frank-Steffen Walliser, Head of Motorsport and GT Cars. The Porsche 911 GT2 RS was equipped with the new performance kit from Manthey-Racing, supplemented by an overall vehicle setup tailored to the circuit characteristics of the Nürburgring-Norschleife. “In this test drive, we simply wanted to assess the potential of the vehicle once more.”
The Porsche GT2 RS was launched on the market in 2017 as the fastest and most powerful 911 thus far. In recent months, Porsche engineers used their know-how from development of the 911 RSR and 911 GT3 R race cars as well as the experience of Manthey-Racing gained in numerous successful races on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife. The targeted modifications included the areas of chassis and aerodynamics. The technicians focused on suitability for on-road driving.
“The drive was great fun,” says development engineer Lars Kern. The 31-year-old knows the ‘Ring’ very well from test and record drives as well as VLN races. “The balance of the car is also very good with the new package. I did not have to take any great risks to be fast. But I only had one attempt because it was already getting dark. It worked out first time though.”
In autumnal but dry conditions, Lars Kern optimally exploited the huge potential of the Porsche 911 GT2 RS MR on his record lap under the eyes of a notary. The driver’s seat was the only modification compared with the version of the GT2 RS MR that can now be ordered from Manthey-Racing for club sport and track day events. A racing bucket seat was fitted in the record-breaking vehicle for safety reasons. This modification did not provide any weight benefits.
Porsche GT2 RS
The fastest and most powerful Porsche 911 made its world debut at Goodwood in the UK in June 2017. The 3.8-liter engine produces 515 kW (700 hp) and delivers a torque of 750 Nm. The top speed of the rear-wheel-drive sports car is 340 km/h. The two-seater weighs in at just 1,470 kilograms and accelerates from a standing start to 100 km/h in just 2.8 seconds.
In September, Porsche debuted the new 935, based on the technology of the 911 GT2 RS, at the Rennsport Reunion VI in Laguna Seca, California (USA). The exclusive vehicle, which is designed for track day use, will be delivered to customers next year in a limited production run of just 77 cars.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Porsche 911 Sets Nürburgring Nordschleife Record
The 911 GT2 has the lead in WEC endurance racing and won its class at Le Mans this year.
A Porsche GT2 RS MR with 515 kW (700 hp) completed a lap of the 20.6-kilometer long Nürburgring-Nordschleife in 6:40.3 minutes making it the fastest road-legal vehicle on ‘The Green Hell’ track.
Lars Kern was at the wheel of the sports car, which had been especially set up for the ‘Nordschleife’ by Porsche engineers and Manthey-Racing, of which Porsche AG owns a 51%. The Porsche test driver previously set a lap record in September 2017 in a series-production Porsche 911 GT2 RS. (On-board video: Record run 911 GT2 RS MR on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife)
“We kept our eye on the weather all day and thought hard about whether such a drive was possible. We would not have taken any risks if it was raining or if the track was slightly damp,” says Dr. Frank-Steffen Walliser, Head of Motorsport and GT Cars. The Porsche 911 GT2 RS was equipped with the new performance kit from Manthey-Racing, supplemented by an overall vehicle setup tailored to the circuit characteristics of the Nürburgring-Norschleife. “In this test drive, we simply wanted to assess the potential of the vehicle once more.”
The Porsche GT2 RS was launched on the market in 2017 as the fastest and most powerful 911 thus far. In recent months, Porsche engineers used their know-how from development of the 911 RSR and 911 GT3 R race cars as well as the experience of Manthey-Racing gained in numerous successful races on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife. The targeted modifications included the areas of chassis and aerodynamics. The technicians focused on suitability for on-road driving.
“The drive was great fun,” says development engineer Lars Kern. The 31-year-old knows the ‘Ring’ very well from test and record drives as well as VLN races. “The balance of the car is also very good with the new package. I did not have to take any great risks to be fast. But I only had one attempt because it was already getting dark. It worked out first time though.”
In autumnal but dry conditions, Lars Kern optimally exploited the huge potential of the Porsche 911 GT2 RS MR on his record lap under the eyes of a notary. The driver’s seat was the only modification compared with the version of the GT2 RS MR that can now be ordered from Manthey-Racing for club sport and track day events. A racing bucket seat was fitted in the record-breaking vehicle for safety reasons. This modification did not provide any weight benefits.
Porsche GT2 RS
The fastest and most powerful Porsche 911 made its world debut at Goodwood in the UK in June 2017. The 3.8-liter engine produces 515 kW (700 hp) and delivers a torque of 750 Nm. The top speed of the rear-wheel-drive sports car is 340 km/h. The two-seater weighs in at just 1,470 kilograms and accelerates from a standing start to 100 km/h in just 2.8 seconds.
In September, Porsche debuted the new 935, based on the technology of the 911 GT2 RS, at the Rennsport Reunion VI in Laguna Seca, California (USA). The exclusive vehicle, which is designed for track day use, will be delivered to customers next year in a limited production run of just 77 cars.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.