Porsche Returning to Le Mans with 991 GT3 RSR

The most victorious manufacturer in the history of Le Mans racing is heading back after a fifteen-year hiatus with a new 911 GT3 RSR.



With an unprecedented sixteen overall victories at Le Mans, there's little question that Porsche is, without a doubt, the most successful manufacturer in the history of endurance racing. Its (literal) track record overshadows Ferrari, Aston Martin, Ford... even its sister-company Audi, which has emerged as the dominant force in Le Mans racing in the modern era. The thing is that Porsche has not officially competed at Le Mans since 1998, but that's about to change.

The German automaker has announced that it will field two 911 GT3 RSRs at Le Mans next year and in the overall FIA World Endurance Championship as part of a new factory-backed team. Not content to simply take a pair of its existing GT3 RSRs (pictured here) and plop them onto the grid, Porsche is developing a new version based on the latest-generation 991 model to field in the GTE category starting with the new season. The new RSRs won't be the only 911s on the grid, of course. In fact the racing versions of its iconic sportscar that Porsche offers to private racing teams make it the largest manufacturer of racing cars in the world.

Aside from Le Mans and the WEC, competition-spec 911s compete in the Mobil1 Supercup, a series of local championships around the world and just about any sportscar race you're likely to find taking place on any given Sunday. All those rear-engined racecars buzzing about add up to some 28,000 motorsport victories which Porsche has claimed over the years, with an eye on more still to come with the new RSR.

Posted in: porsche, Porsche 911 GT3 RSR