Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid project wins two awards
The pace of leading-edge technological development in motorsport has once again been recognised by the prestigious Professional MotorSport World Expo Awards, with Porsche’s innovative 911 GT3 R Hybrid project scooping double honours at a ceremony in Cologne, Germany on Tuesday 16 November.
In the awards, which are given annually as part of the industry showcase, Professional MotorSport World Expo, the Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid was named “Vehicle Development of the Year”, while team leader, Dr Daniel Armbruster, was named “DesignEngineer of the Year”, for his work on the project.
The judges said Porsche: “changed public perceptions about hybrids by introducing fresh technology to a new area of motorsport and showing how it could be incorporated into a race vehicle that has much in common with a road car. Rather than learning to live with the compromises [of] a hybrid system, Armbruster and his team found ways to derive unexpected benefits from the installation.”
Armbruster commented: “Porsche is proud to receive these awards. We worked hard to make this unique and innovative concept work. The Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid is our race laboratory – we learned much about this new technology at the Nürburgring 24 Hours; then made some big steps forward on the way to the 1,000km race in Zhuhai.”
There was also praise for Porsche’s use of the Williams Hybrid Power (WHP) KERS technology, which the judges described as “a correct and innovative move to finally demonstrate this expensive development from Formula 1 in the wider sport.” The WHP electromechanical composite flywheel was considered runaway winner as “Powertrain Innovation of the Year”.
Ian Foley, managing director of WHP commented: “2010 has been a breakthrough year for Williams Hybrid Power, with the success of the program with Porsche Motorsport demonstrating that our flywheel technology is robust in the harshest of racing environments.”
Other category winners included Spain’s MotorLand Aragón (Motorsport Facility of the Year), Geobrugg’s innovative debris fence (Safety Initiative of the Year) and Ball Racing Developments’ PureTech Racing simulator (Motorsport Technology of the Year).
After a close fight for this year’s “Team Principal of the Year” award, the winner was named as Eric Boullier of Renault F1, who judges praised for his “focused and enthusiastic management and racing spirit.”
New award recognises young rally talent
This year’s Professional MotorSport World Expo Awards also introduced a new honour, to recognise outstanding young rally driving talent in the UK. A special panel assessed five up-and-coming young drivers in the Junior 1000 rally category, open to competitors aged 14 to 17 years, declaring double Junior 1000 champion, Cameron Davies, as the inaugural PMW Expo UK Young Rally Driver of the Year.
