The all-new Porsche 911 GT3-R is fully set for its inaugural race at the VLN round in the Nurburgring Nordschleife circuit.

The Manthey Racing team is expected to drive an upgraded 911 GT3-R model for the 9th round of the long-distance racing tournament scheduled on October 17.

The new racing car from the stables of Porsche will feature new brakes and suspension and this race is expected to test the endurance levels of the new components. However, it will not feature the direct injected powerplant as per earlier plans of the German automotive giant as this is still under track and dyno testing in the US and in Weissach. The 911 GT3-R at the Nurburgring Nordschleife circuit (on Oct 17) will feature the engine of the earlier models only.

Porsche believes that racing a car that is still in the developmental stage, especially on a tough circuit, is quite beneficial for the future of the vehicle as the racing teams will be able to familiarize themselves to handle the race car during the early stages and incorporate any changes, if required, so as to bring out a highly robust racing vehicle.

Dr. Frank-Steffen Walliser, Head of Porsche Motorsport, said, ‘It has always proved beneficial to take a new racing car at an early development phase. The conditions of the Nurburgring Nordschleife circuit offer the best conditions for this’.

Although the testing of the new engine is being undertaken in warmer climes in the US, the company said that trials for body and suspension components are also being conducted in the uniquely undulating topography of the Nurburgring Nordschleife circuit.

Furthermore, the new Porsche 911 GT3-R is expected to make its complete competition debut at the Rolex 24 event during January. Early in September, Porsche Motorsport North America and EFFORT Racing announced the continuation of their partnership with the new-generation Porsche 911 GT3-R under which the two entities are committed to search for and develop talent to create future GT drivers.

Emile Toups, Principal, EFFORT Racing opined, ‘As always, the objective is to win the GT championship with Porsche and to continue to improve the sports car experience of our sponsors, partners and fans’.