My opinion - Pressure on Porsche to perform in GT2
Porsche has launched its latest modified 911 GT3 RSR contender as reported on PLM earlier in the week but it comes amidst an added pressure to perform in the major GT championships during 2008. Porsche has won 8 of the last 9 at Le Mans in GT2 including last years event but it failed to take any championships in the American Le Mans Series, Le Mans Series or the FIA GT Championship last season as Ferrari scooped a fantastic ‘treble’.
This was a big blow to the German giants and the early signs in 2008 are not particularly bright as Tafel Racing became the latest big name team to make the switch to their arch rivals from Marenello and it was not without criticism from Tafel technical director, Tony Dowe. He is reported to have said “After two years of dealing with Porsche we felt that there was not enough effort being put into RSR development” he continued, “The support, both technically and logistically from Ferrari and Michelotto has been unbelievable. It’s what a customer should get. I think the number of teams that have changed to Ferrari are witness to how well they are looking after their teams.” These are damning comments from a well respected member of the ALMS paddock and someone who has had a relationship with Porsche for many years.
Looking ahead to the Championships this year; (ALMS) You would have to say that Risi Competizione and Tafel Racing will be major contenders in the Ferrari F430 but of course you can never discount the Flying Lizard Porsche squad. (LMS) Porsche still has a good number of contenders but again they must beat current Champions, Virgo Motorsport. Could this be their best hope of championship glory in 2008? (FIA GT) As it currently stands on the FIA GT entry list there is just one Porsche entry that will go up against a whole host of prancing horses so it is hard to see the championship leaving Italy? Of course these entry lists are all subject to change but it is easy to see why Porsche are playing catch up for the first time in decades in the GT2 categories across the world.
We hope that the development of the RSR GT3 over the winter will leave us with ‘mouth watering’ battles on both sides of the pond particularly as we will also have the likes of Aston Martin, BMW and others adding to the GT2 flavour this summer.
Porsche does have a prestigious Le Mans 24 Hours crown to defend and they proudly boast that they did indeed win the ‘big one’ last year. It is clear however, that the beautiful Porsche, so synonymous with Le Mans victories for many many years will have to pull out all the stops in 2008 to remain at the top of the pile at La Sarthe in what is arguably the fiercest category of racing in Sportscar and GT circles.
