Porsche 911 991.1 RSR (2013-2016)
2015 FIA World Endurance Cup for GT winner
Date of unveil by Porsche AG: prototype February 21, 2013, competition car March 28, 2013
Premiere: April 14, 2013 Silverstone 6H
Engine: 4.0 B6 with air restrictor, 338 kW (2013), 345 kW (2014, 2016)
Transmission: sequential, 6-speed
As the rules do not permit higher output engines, the engine for the 991 RSR was taken from the 997 GT3 RSR 4.0 and the development work focused on the chassis, body, aerodynamics and the gearbox. A wishbone front suspension replaced the McPherson struts used in 997. A new development is the lightweight gearbox. One of the priorities in the development was the more evenly balanced weight distribution. The centre of gravity is lower, too. The front and rear lids, doors, underbody, wheel arches, rear wing, dashboard and centre console are constructed from carbon fibre. The minimum weight of the car is set by the rules and this forms a barrier for further enhancements.
WEC classes
The World Endurance Championship (WEC) has two main classes: Le Mans Prototypes (LMP) and Le Mans Grand Touring Endurance (LMGTE, shortly GTE). Both classes have two levels - LMP is divided into LMP 1 & 2 and GTE is divided into GTE Pro and GTE Am. In the past the LMP class was known as GT1 and the GTE was known as GT2.
GTE rules
As the manufacturers don't have the same know-how nor the same amount of money to spend, the rules are set individually based on the ability of their car. Five areas are set for every competing car air restrictor size (= engine power), minimum weight, fuel tank size, wing height and Gurney lip size. For example Aston Martins are allowed to have around 100 kW more than Porsches.
2013 Le Mans 24H
2013 Le Mans 24H GTE Pro results
- 315 laps #92 Porsche 911 991 RSR (16. overall) Porsche AG Team Manthey / Marc Lieb, Richard Lietz, Romain Dumas
- 315 laps #91 Porsche 911 991 RSR (17. overall) Porsche AG Team Manthey / Jörg Bergmeister, Timo Bernhard, Patrick Pilet
- 314 laps #97 Aston Martin Vantage V8
2014 Daytona 24H
2014 Le Mans 24H
It was the first time after 16 years, that Porsche was back in top class, so the attenton of Porsche fans was now on the 919 hybrid instead of the 991 RSR. The 919 was problematic on its first year and scored 11th. The best 991 scored 3rd in GTE Pro class (17th overall, 337 laps).
2015 Le Mans 24H
Like in 2013 and 2014, the factory team entered two 911 991 RSR in the GTE Pro class. In addition there were three 991 RSR entered in the GTE Am class by private teams. With just 58 minutes into the race, shocking news arrived to the Porsche Team Manthey in the pits - the #92 car had bursted into the flames on the Mulsanne straight.
The second 991 RSR to burst into the flames was the Abu Dhabi-Proton Racing car.
The best result for GT-class Porsche was achieved by Patrick Dempsey, Patrick Long and Marco Seefried of Dempsey Racing who scored 2nd in the GTE Am class and 22nd overall.
Despite the unsuccessful Le Mans 24h for the works 911 team, the 2015 season was won by Porsche. Both the World Endurance Cup for GT Manufacturers and the World Endurance Cup for GT Drivers thanks to Porsche driver Richard Lietz.
| 2015 World Endurance Cup for | GT Manufacturers | 2015 World Endurance Cup for GT Drivers | ||
| 1. Porsche | 290 points | 1. Richard Lietz (Porsche) | 145.0 points | |
| 2. Ferrari | 286 points | 2. Gianmaria Bruni (Ferrari) | 131.5 points | |
| 3. Aston Martin | 192 points | 3. Toni Vilander (Ferrari) | 131.5 points |
In 2013 Porsche was third in the GT manufacturers category and has moved up since. In 2014 Porsche finished the season with second place in the GT manufacturers category and third in the drivers category. The 2015 season was a complete success for Porsche as it dominated in the LMP1 with the 919 hybrid and also won the GT manufacturers and GT drivers championships with the 911 991 RSR.
2016 modifications
The 991 RSR underwent modifications for the 2016 season, particularly to the aerodynamics to comply with the new regulations. The position of the rear wing was moved further to the back. The rear diffuser is now considerably larger. The 911 RSR fielded by the Porsche North America works team received a modified front spoiler lip as well as very wide side sills. A new seat and an enlarged hatch in the roof further improve the already high safety standards.
2016 Le Mans 24H
911s with fully burning engines were seen again like at Le Mans in 2015. The only podium place for 911 came in the GTE Am class where Al Qubaisi/Heinemeier-Hansson/Long scored 3rd in their Abu Dhabi-Proton Racing 991 RSR #88. The engine of the #88 had burned down a year before.
© James Herne / Stuttcars.com
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