2008 Porsche 911 (997) GT3 RSR
Pilots: D. Law, S. Neiman, S. Pumpelly
Team: Flying Lizard Motorsports
Race: DNF (GTE-Am class) at Le Mans in 2011
Spark - S3423 (resin)
Published 08/25/17
The 997 generation of 911 GT3 RS (Rennsport) was first released in 2006, as an homologation model to be used in a few racing series – it was basically a street legal racing car. But the RSR was the full-blown race version, specifically developed for GT2 class racing. The car received a beefed-up supension and a gearbox similar to the one used in the RS Spyder. The engine was the reliable (M97.74) 3996 cm³ flat-6 with 24 valves and DOHC, that in stock form produced 465 ponies.
Flying Lizard Motorsports had a very straight relation with Porsche Motorsport North America, and participated in the development of the 997 GT3 RSR. For 2011 the race team had two RSRs (in the GTE-Pro and AM classes) lined up at La Sarthe. Car #80 (chassis #WP0ZZZ99Z8S799913) was able to finish in 18th place overall (6th in GTE-Pro class). Car #81 (chassis #WP0ZZZ99Z8S799912-09b) however, had to abandon on the 211th lap.
So, this GT3 RSR #81 is not my first and probably not my last 997 and it’s a DNFer. Why get it then? Easy: it’s a looker. An art car for sure, and to me not only an art car but a BEAUTIFUL one at that. Without a doubt it was a fantastic acquisition for the burgeoning Art Car Wing of my collection. I admit that two cars (three now!) constituting a “wing” is stretching it, but hey, I’m working on it. Not my fault that these lookers are usually expensive 😥.