2014 Porsche 911 GT America racer released
Porsche has become the first manufacturer to release its new car, built for the 2014 United Sports Car Racing series. Production of the new racer has already begun in Stuttgart, with the first expected deliveries to be in October this year.
For 2014, the American Le Mans and GRAND-AM by Rolex series will merge to form the USCR. The 911 GT America is built exclusively for the GT Daytona class of the new championship.
The new car is based upon the 991 GT3 Cup currently being raced in the Supercup (and recently profiled in Issue 104 of Total 911). However, the car has been modified to cope with the specific needs of endurance racing.
The most notable departure from the GT3 Cup is in the engine bay. The GT America’s powerplant has been increased to four litres, turning out 470bhp. With the extra power will come extra straight line speed, helping to maintain a safe speed differential between the GT classes and the out-and-out prototypes in the main class.
Other endurance-based changes include the addition of quick-fill couplings on both the fuel tank and oil filler. The brake callipers are also designed to be removed quickly.
The latter two changes will be especially important at the 24 Hours of Daytona, the first race of the new series, where quick maintenance of the GT America will be key to achieving a good result.
380mm steel brakes discs are mounted at all four corners, with six pot callipers on the front, and four pot versions on the rear. Like their Supercup brethren, the new braking system enjoys better endurance qualities than the outgoing model.
Shifting through the six-speed sequential, dog ‘box will be actuated by a pneumatic paddleshift system mounted on the back of the steering wheel. Drivers of the 911 GT America will be able to check their car’s vital statistics on a new digital colour display, built by Cosworth.
In order to comply with the USCR regulations, a series-specification rear wing, including a small ducktail between the supporting arms, will help provide rear stability.
The GT America will be available exclusively through Porsche Motorsport North America for $279,000, with the first deliveries to teams who commit to competing in the entire 2014 USCR schedule.
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