----SANTA ANA, Calif. - The development of the new 2011 Porsche 911 GT3 GRAND-AM Rolex Cup car, available for the first time since 2009, has been a unique collaboration between Porsche engineers at the factory in Germany (Porsche AG) and the technical experts at Porsche Motorsport North America (PMNA).
The objective was to create a competitive new car that provides longevity, versatility and a degree of flexibility for the customers planning to compete in the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16. This car has some significant improvements compared to its predecessor, the 2009 GRAND-AM Rolex Cup car, such as fully adjustable suspension to optimize handling and tire wear. The brake system was upgraded and includes an endurance brake cooling package for long-distance races. Furthermore, the exhaust system received a substantial weight reduction.
For the first time since inception of the Rolex Cup car (starting with Model Year 2007), the actual conversion of these Cup cars to GRAND-AM Rolex Series specifications was done by PMNA's technicians in Santa Ana.
The following teams have purchased the six cars that were shipped to California for the Rolex Series conversion: TRG, TRG/Steven Bertheau, TRG/Black Swan Racing, Brumos Racing, Magnus Racing, and Muehlner Motorsport. They took delivery of their vehicles approximately one week before this week's GRAND-AM open test at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Wednesday and Thursday.
"During this entire year Porsche has made an extra effort to come up with a top-of-the-line version of a Rolex Cup car at a competitive price. We thoroughly listened to the requests and concerns expressed by our teams in order to help them get back into the GRAND-AM Rolex Series with a terrific new product. Despite some of the challenges that had to be overcome during the development phase, we were able to produce a fascinating race car. Needless to say, we are very thankful to our teams for their trust in us as well as their loyalty to the Porsche brand and the Rolex Series. We anticipate an exciting 2011 racing season," said Jens Walther, President of PMNA.
The Porsche 911 is the most accomplished race car in the history of the Rolex 24 with 38 combined class and overall victories, with Porsche having scored 22 overall wins at the January classic since its inception in 1962. Since the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup has been the Porsche standard-bearer in GT (2005), it is the most successful GT car, leading the GRAND-AM competitors in championships, victories, pole positions and podium finishes.
Porsche Rolex 24 Finishes
--Overall Wins: 22 (first in 1968; most recent in 2009 and 2010)
--Class Wins: 72 (includes Daytona Continental races starting in 1962; 24 hr. races started in 1966.
Porsche 911 Wins: 38 Overall and Class Victories
Initial Overall Win: 1968
GT Class Wins: 27
SGS Class wins (class ran only in 2004): 1
20 Race Winning Streak (overall or class): 1966-1987
Finished 1-2 overall in 12 Daytona 24-Hours
GT class winner finishing second overall: 2001, 2004
--From 1977 to 1987, Porsche had compiled 11 consecutive overall wins
GTX Series Winner: 1978-1981
GTP Series Winner: 1982-87, 1989, 1991
Most Overall Victories
Hurley Haywood, 5 (1991, 1979, 1977, 1975, 1973)
Peter Gregg, 4 (1978, 1976, 1975, 1973)
Rolf Stommelen, 4 (1982, 1980, 1978, 1968)
Bob Wollek, 4 (1983, 1985, 1989, 1991)
Pedro Rodriguez, 4 (1971, 1970, 3 hour races in 1964 and 1963)
Brian Redman, 3 (1981, 1976, 1970)
Derek Bell, 3 (1989, 1987, 1986)
Andy Wallace, 3 (1999, 1998, 1990)
Butch Leitzinger, 3 (1999, 1997, 1994)
Scott Pruett, 3 (1994, 2007, 2008)
Mauro Baldi, 2 (2002, 1998)
Wayne Taylor, 2 (2005, 1996)
Elliott Forbes-Robinson, 2 (1999, 1997)
A.J. Foyt, 2 (1985, 1983)
Al Holbert, 2 (1986, 1987)
Jan Lammers, 2 (1990, 1988)
Ken Miles, 2 (1966, 327-lap race in 1965)
John Paul Jr., 2 (1997, 1982)
Lloyd Ruby, 2 (1966, 327-lap race in 1965)
Didier Theys, 2 (2002, 1998)
Al Unser Jr., 2 (1987, 1986)
Juan Pablo Montoya, 2 (2007, 2008)
Most Consecutive Overall Victories
Peter Gregg, 3 (1973, 1975, 1976 - No Event Held in 1974)
Al Holbert, 2 (1986, 1987)
Al Unser Jr., 2 (1986, 1987
Derek Bell, 2 (1986, 1987)
Hurley Haywood, 2 (1973, 1975 - No Event Held in 1974)
Pedro Rodriguez, 2 (1970, 1971)
Ken Miles, 2 (1966, 327-lap race in 1965)
Lloyd Ruby, 2 (1966, 327-lap race in 1965)
Pedro Rodriguez, 2 (327-lap race in 1964, 3-hour race in 1963)
Juan Pablo Montoya, 2 (2007, 2008)
Most Class Victories
Scott Pruett, 8 (1987, 1988, 1992 - 94, 2002, 2007, 2008)
Peter Gregg, 6 (1978, 1976, 1975, 1973, 1972, 1968)
Hurley Haywood, 6 (1991, 1979, 1977, 1975, 1973, 1972)
Hans Herrmann, 4 (1968, 1967, 1966, 1963) Pedro Rodriguez, 4 (1971, 1970, 1964, 1963)
Rolf Stommelen, 4 (1982, 1980, 1978, 1968)
Amos Johnson, 4 (1988, 1987, 1986, 1985)
Bob Wollek, 4 (1991, 1989, 1985, 1983)
Peter Uria, 4 (1993, 1992, 1991, 1990)
Robby Gordon, 4 (1993, 1992, 1991, 1990)
Wally Dallenbach Jr., 4 (1993, 1992, 1991, 1985)
Richard "D-ck" Greer, 4 (1991, 1993, 1992, 1991)
Andy Wallace, 4 (2003, 1999, 1997, 1990)