WeatherTech Racing & Porsche – A Winning Combination
With more than thirty years of wheel-to-wheel racing lineage under our belts, the WeatherTech Racing Team is no stranger to the Porsche nomenclature. Throughout his career thus far, driver Cooper MacNeil has raced different versions of the Porsche GT3 R for the team and continues to do so to this day. Coming off of a successful IMSA Season in 2021 with victories at Sebring and Road America, our then #79 Porsche 911 RSR-19 pulled out all the stops and pushed the limits to ensure a solid placement and farewell to the GTLM (GT Le Mans) class; concluding with a one-two Porsche finish at Road Atlanta with drivers Cooper MacNeil, Matt Campbell and Mathieu Jaminet.
Specs of Our New WeatherTech Racing 911 GT3 R
With GTLM having written its final chapter at Petit Le Mans in November 2021, its replacement is what is now known as GTD (GT Daytona) PRO. Featuring the same FIA GT3 cars as GTD, GTD PRO consists of only gold- and platinum-rated driver lineups, making it a more competitive class and driving field. Built on a similar platform to the 911 RSR-19, our new 911 GT3 R also shares the same seventh generation body styling of the Porsche 911 known as the 991. More specifically, our GT3 R is part of the second iteration of the 991 model, known as the 991.2. Standing at an overall height of just four feet tall (including the wing), special attention was paid to more efficient aerodynamics, improved overall handling and greater fuel economy for endurance races.
The Power Plant
Powered by a rear-mid mounted, four liter, naturally aspirated flat-six boxer engine, our 911 GT3 R launches from 0-62 mph in under three seconds, and makes 500 horsepower to the rear wheels with the help of direct fuel injection and variable valve timing on both the intake and exhaust camshafts. With the addition of six individual butterfly throttle bodies (one for each cylinder), the flat-six engine can rev freely to 9,000 RPM before the specially designed Porsche constant-mesh sequential gearbox needs to shift, allowing the maximum power band to be reached on every straightaway. Putting power down to the pavement is achieved by 310mm wide Michelin Pilot Sport tires, which keep the nose planted with specific aerodynamic adjustments to increase down force at the front axle.
Stopping Power & Handling
With the power of speed comes the balance of braking, especially when preparing for a corner. Our new Porsche 911 GT3 R has this area on full lock, or should we say anti-lock? Fifteen-inch Brembo ventilated and grooved front disc brakes are joined with identical discs in the rear, slowing the Porsche down from racing speeds to cornering speeds in mere seconds. Thanks in part to the overall construction of the vehicle in tandem with Porsche’s new double wishbone suspension, the driver’s center of gravity is optimized for better impact protection, along with an FT3 fuel cell that can be filled on the left or right side depending on the layout of the circuit. All of these elements, combined with the near 40/60 weight distribution of the 911 GT3 R, provides ample handling and cornering abilities for even the most skilled drivers.