Porsche Unveils 911 Challenge as New Entry-Level Race Car - Sportscar365
Race car largely based around road-going Porsche 911 GT3 to debut in single-make Challenge, Trophy series next year… Porsche has taken the wraps off its new entry-level race car, the 911 Challenge, which will provide a more accessible way to go racing in various sports car racing series globally. The 911 Challenge will be eligible to compete in Porsche Sprint and Endurance Challenge North America by Yokohama, Porsche Sprint Trophy Porsche Club of America by Yokohama, and the recently announced Porsche Sprint Trophy Porsche Owners Club, subject to applicable sporting and technical regulations. “It delivers the emotional feel of a true Porsche race car, combined with the performance and technology drivers already know from the GT3 road car.
Race car largely based around road-going Porsche 911 GT3 to debut in single-make Challenge, Trophy series next year…
Porsche has taken the wraps off its new entry-level race car, the 911 Challenge, which will provide a more accessible way to go racing in various sports car racing series globally.
Unveiled on Wednesday, the 911 Challenge is largely based on the Porsche 911 GT3 road car, including sharing the same seven-speed PDK gearbox, the steering wheel from the GT3 RS with enhanced, racing-specific functions, and air conditioning.
The car, powered by a 4.0-liter six-cylinder boxer engine capable of delivering 508 horsepower, features adjustable driver aid systems such as traction control, ABS and stability control, as well as a multi-stage adjustable Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus system.
The 911 Challenge will be eligible to compete in Porsche Sprint and Endurance Challenge North America by Yokohama, Porsche Sprint Trophy Porsche Club of America by Yokohama, and the recently announced Porsche Sprint Trophy Porsche Owners Club, subject to applicable sporting and technical regulations.
Full season entrants of the North American Porsche single-make series will have priority on the available allocations, although the car will also become available for track day use later next year.
The car is priced at $275,000 USD, including import and delivery to the U.S., making it more affordable than the 911 Cup and recently announced 911 GT4 R, which replaces the 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport as Porsche’s new GT4-spec model.
“Since their introduction, the road-going GT3 models have shaped Porsche’s identity as a sports car manufacturer like almost no other model range,” said Porsche Motorsport boss Thomas Laudenbach.
“They are conceived and developed in close collaboration with motorsport.
“With the 911 Challenge, this tradition is being expanded to include a model that allows new customer groups to experience the thrill of motorsport in a 911.”
Porsche Motorsport North America President and CEO Volker Holzmeyer added: “The 911 Challenge is an outstanding new entry point into Porsche customer racing because it is based so closely on the legendary 911 GT3 road car.
“For customers who already enjoy tracking their GT3, the step into a dedicated Porsche race car becomes more natural and familiar.
“At the same time, it connects them directly to Porsche’s 911-based race car ladder, making the progression through our motorsport portfolio easier and more accessible.
“It delivers the emotional feel of a true Porsche race car, combined with the performance and technology drivers already know from the GT3 road car.
“We are excited to see the 911 Challenge competing in North America from the 2027 season onward.”
John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John
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