FALKEN Motorsports has announced that it will contest the 2016 VLN Endurance Championship and Nürburgring 24h-Race in a new Porsche 911 GT3R (991). It is confident that its driver line-up of Wolf Henzler, Peter Dumbreck, Martin Ragginger and Alexandre Imperatori will be challenging for podium places at each of this season’s outings.
The FALKEN Porsche 911 GT3R (991) is both longer and lighter than its predecessor. The new car’s wheelbase is 8.3 cm longer and, by using advanced lightening techniques in building the bodywork and chassis, is around 60 kg lighter than the previous 911 GT3R. After initial testing in December, furthers test were held in Portugal in mid-February where second-generation FALKEN tyres were put through their paces.
The drivers are confident that the new car will be competitive. “A lighter car with longer wheelbase and a few extra horsepower already sounds pretty good to me,” said Peter Dumbreck. “It’s not only the tyres that have advanced since the first round of tests; the new car has undergone a whole host of improvements. It’s now easier to drive, the brakes are firmer and the aerodynamics whilst cornering are improved.”
Martin Ragginger is also enthusiastic about the team’s prospects. “Right from the start, the car impressed me. The new aerodynamics improve cornering speeds, the engine packs a great punch and the brakes are stronger. FALKEN provided us with such a huge range of tyres to test that we’ll be able to put together the perfect package of tyres and car.”
“We tested the car over 2,300km under conditions that matched what we can expect from the Nürburgring in spring,” said Wolf Henzler. “This Porsche is streets ahead of its predecessor and FALKEN’s new-generation tyres will enable us to take a further leap towards victory.”
Further testing will take place at the Nürburgring in Mid-March before the first round of the VLN Championship takes place on the 2nd of April.
