How almost? Could I actually drive one to work?
Probably not, and if you try it you don’t get to blame us. The new 911 Challenge means that all of Porsche’s racing cars - from owner-racer models to the Manthey works cars - are now based on 911s, and it means that we’ll start seeing the rear-engined racers on the grid, alongside 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport and GT4 RS Clubsport models, in series such as the Porsche Carwow Sprint Challenge GB.
What turns a 911 into a 911 Challenge?
It’s kind of a circular thing. The 911 GT3 road car is based on race-car technology, and some of that GT3 stuff is now going to form the basis of the 911 Challenge, including a seven-speed PDK gearbox, the steering wheel from the GT3 RS with enhanced, racing-specific functions and air conditioning.
Adjustable driver assistance systems such as anti-lock brakes, traction control and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) are designed to make life easier for those starting out on their racing careers, which is exactly what the 911 Challenge is designed for.
You can even have multi-adjustable Porsche Torque Vectoring, for the ultimate in traction control.
Power comes from the familiar naturally aspirated 4.0-litre flat-six engine, delivering 515hp at 8,500rpm - although the engine will rev to 9,000rpm. The PDK gearbox will allow fully automatic operation, or you’ll be able to shift manually with paddles.
The suspension is road-car-based, but tuned for motorsport use, and there’s a three-way adjustable anti-roll bar.
Slick tyres go on 18-inch wheels but not with centre-lock nuts - instead you get the standard road-car five-stud pattern. No three-second pitstops here, although there are integrated air jacks.
The racing brake system with steel brake discs (380mm diameter at the front and rear) are lifted from the Porsche 911 GT4 R.
To complete the race-car effect, there’s an FIA rain light, and a proper aerodynamic package with a fully adjustable rear wing.
Inside, there’s a full roll cage, no sound deadening, racing seats with six-point harnesses, a fire extinguisher and a 110-litre fuel tank.
Who will race a 911 Challenge?
Mostly young racers looking for their first foothold on a national racing ladder, or as Porsche describes it: “An entry point to the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid.”
The 911 Challenge will be homologated for numerous one-make Porsche series around the world, and the idea is that aspiring professional racers and total novices will both be able to get the best out of the car.
What are the other Porsche 911 racers?
The Porsche racing hierarchy now starts with this 911 Challenge, after which you could theoretically move up to the 911 GT4 R, for racing in global GT4-spec events.
Then there’s the 911 Cup, which is eligible for the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, the national Carrera Cup series and other Porsche championships.
Finally there’s the big boy - the 911 GT3 R which is fielded by customer teams in international GT3 racing, such as Porsche’s almost-in-house race team, Manthey.
The top-of-the-range model has already celebrated class victories at Le Mans, won the Endurance Trophy for teams and drivers in the World Endurance Championship and secured two DTM drivers’ titles and one manufacturers’ title.
At the end of June this year, it added an overall victory at the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps to its list of achievements.
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