911 GT3 R Hybrid makes UK debut at Autosport International
Porsche will showcase its ground-breaking 911 GT3 R Hybrid race car, preview its British motorsport programme for 2011 with the new 911 GT3 Cup car and demonstrate the breadth of its Human Performance sports science consultancy with body hydration tests at the Autosport International show at the Birmingham NEC (January 13 - 16).
Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid
Developed as a spearhead for the technology and a ‘racing laboratory’, the stunning Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid made its race debut in the VLN Championship on the Nurburgring in Germany in 2010 and has subsequently raced with success at Road Atlanta in America and at Zuhai in China, gathering further data about the performance and durability of its alternative energy resource with every lap.
Making its UK debut at the Autosport International show, the 911 GT3 R Hybrid is a perfect example of Porsche Intelligent Performance. The car features an electrical front axle drive with two electric motors each developing 60 kW, which supplements the familiar 480 hp (353 kW) 4.0-litre flat-six ‘boxer’ petrol engine at the rear. It features an electric flywheel power generator that is charged-up whenever the driver applies the brakes. This flywheel is mounted inside the cockpit beside the driver, and delivers its energy to the electric motors on the front axle. The driver is able to call upon this extra energy from the charged flywheel generator at his command for competitive advantage, such as when accelerating out of a bend or overtaking.
Depending on racing conditions, hybrid drive is used in this case not only for extra power, but also to save fuel. This again increases efficiency and, accordingly, the performance of the 911 GT3 R Hybrid, by reducing the weight of the fuel tank or making pit stops less frequent, for example.
New 911 GT3 Cup on the grid for 2011 Porsche Carrera Cup GB Championship
The Porsche Carrera Cup GB Championship steps up a gear in 2011, with a new car based for the first time on the 911 GT3 RS and powered by an identical 450 hp, flat-six 3.8-litre engine and distinctive wider rear bodywork. The Porsche Carrera Cup GB goes into the new season in the best possible shape, with a capacity entry of 32 cars. This has increased from the 28 of 2010, with 32 being the highest number that can be accommodated at all the circuits visited, as part of the support to the British Touring Car Championship.
This new-for-2011 911 GT3 Cup race car will be on display on the Porsche stand at Autosport International and demonstrate the Porsche ‘track to road philosophy’, with an example of the road-going 911 GT3 RS joining the display.
Porsche Human Performance Centre at Silverstone
The Porsche Human Performance Centre offers a number of services bespoke to a sports science laboratory. Whether analysing an athlete’s performance in hot weather conditions using the dedicated heat chamber at the Silverstone facility, or testing peripheral vision and reaction times with top of the range equipment, the expert staff at the Centre can tailor their consultations to suit the wellness of all clients.
As a part of this, the team will demonstrate the ‘sweat composition check’ service to visitors to Autosport International on January 13 - 14. For £49, drivers looking to find out exactly what they are made of, can book this check that provides an overview of specific body hydration levels.
Andy Blow, Director of the Human Performance Centre, commented; “As most drivers know, dehydration reduces your endurance, slows your reactions, causes cramping and negatively affects your performance. This is just as important in everyday life, as remaining properly hydrated is proven to aid concentration and general well being for anyone.”
