IMSA Announces GT3 Cup Challenge Presented by Michelin
02-13-2005, 04:39 AM
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IMSA Announces GT3 Cup Challenge Presented by Michelin
IMSA ANNOUNCES GT3 CUP CHALLENGE PRESENTED BY MICHELIN
The International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) has announced, in conjunction with Porsche Motorsports North America (PMNA) and Michelin, the creation of the IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge presented by Michelin, a series designed for Porsche GT3 Cup race cars.
The series will allow amateur and semi-professional drivers, those who do not make their living in motorsports, to compete in a professional environment as part of the American Le Mans Series weekends.
"IMSA is delighted to announce the formation of the GT3 Cup series," said Tim Mayer, IMSA COO. "As an organization we are dedicated to the promotion of motorsports at all levels and the GT3 Cup has proven worldwide to create great racing for the fans and for the competitors."
As part of the announcement IMSA announced that Michelin has agreed to be the title sponsor of the series. Michelin will be providing the spec tire for all competitors.
"As part of our racing heritage Michelin is proud to be a part of the first GT3 Cup Challenge in North America," said Amanda Head, Michelin Motorsports Marketing Manager. "Michelin is
associated with the GT3 Cup worldwide as part of our commitment to high-performance tires. The tires used in the series reflect the quality street car tires that we are pleased to offer our customers."
The purpose-built race cars, based on the Porsche 996 body style, will have sealed engines and transmissions, providing for close racing where the driver's talents are exemplified. PMNA will
provide technical support for the series with personnel, parts and expertise both away from and at the track.
"There are over 100 of these cars already in North America," said Uwe Brettel, Porsche Motorsports North America President. "Last April, during Porsche's Rennsport Reunion at Daytona, we had more than 65 cars entered in the Cup class, and we think a lot of these competitors will be interested in running this new series."
"We are thrilled to be working with Michelin and PMNA to bring this type of exciting racing to North America," said Mayer. "With support from manufacturers like Michelin and Porsche we are able to deliver professional racing to all competitors. I would also like to thank the Porsche Club of America and the Porsche Owners Club which have been very supportive as we launch this series."
The 2005 series schedule includes races at the Grand Prix of Atlanta, Apr. 15-17; American Le Mans at Mid-Ohio, May 20-22; Portland International Raceway, July 29-31 and two other races, one on the East Coast and one on the West Coast, to be determined at a later date.
The IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge competitors will be driving Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars, purpose-built race cars manufactured by the Porsche factory on the same assembly line as Porsche's complete line of sports cars for the consumer. The 2002 - 2005 models for IMSA racing is based on the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup street car (996), while the Porsche Michelin Supercup series - which runs with Formula One around the world - has moved to the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car based on the newly-introduced 997 model.
The Cup car carries over last year's improvements to driver safety and comfort as well as measures to avoid over-revving or overheating of the engine.
The six-point safety belt and racing bucket seat underwent modifications to integrate the Head and Neck Support System (HANS), which helps prevent head and neck injuries. The safety cage features an additional cross bar as well as a transversal bar behind the seat and reinforcement to the A-pillar. With this, the GT3 Cup meets the current FIA safety requirements.
Thanks to last year's new adaptor for the seat bracket, very tall drivers now enjoy
enough head room. The new rear side windows of plastic with ventilation slots
provide good air flow through the cockpit and help reduce weight.
Three minor modifications improve operational safety of the 2004/05 GT3 Cup:
* A shift light comes on in the cockpit warning the driver when shifting revs are
reached.
* The speed-limiter ensures that the speed limit in the pit lane is not
exceeded.
* The water level control light warns the driver when the coolant level
is too low.
Since 2003, the six-cylinder boxer engine with 3,598 cc capacity delivers
390 hp (287 kW) at 7,300 rpm. Maximum torque remains unchanged at
390 Nm (6,500 revs), with maximum revs reached at 8,000 rpm.
A recent improvement is an intake air shrouding on the engine, which prevents hot air from around the engine or from under the vehicle reaching the combustion
chambers and causing power loss.
The continuously variable adjustable height, camber and track of the suspension with Sachs gas-pressure shock absorbers adjustable in two position as well as adjustable anti-roll bars open many possibilities for setting up the car.
Through the use of carbon fiber and plastic, the weight of the 911 GT3 Cup remains at 1,160 kilos (2,552 lbs - raised to 2,600 lbs. for Grand-Am rules). All windows, with the exception of the windscreen, are plastic, with the rear lid and doors made of carbon fiber.
The 2004/05 911 GT3 Cup competes in the Porsche makes cup races as well as many other racing series. Older vehicles can - with the exception of the safety cages - be modified to 2004/05 specifications. Due to the great demand for the 911 GT3 Cup, Porsche built about 150 new units in 2004.
IMSA is an approved FIA, ACCUS club that has been sanctioning motor racing events since 1969. IMSA, based in Braselton, Ga., currently sanctions the American Le Mans Series, the Star Mazda Pro Series and the Panoz GT Series.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/84481/211200517400328_image1_thumb.jpg">
The International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) has announced, in conjunction with Porsche Motorsports North America (PMNA) and Michelin, the creation of the IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge presented by Michelin, a series designed for Porsche GT3 Cup race cars.
The series will allow amateur and semi-professional drivers, those who do not make their living in motorsports, to compete in a professional environment as part of the American Le Mans Series weekends.
"IMSA is delighted to announce the formation of the GT3 Cup series," said Tim Mayer, IMSA COO. "As an organization we are dedicated to the promotion of motorsports at all levels and the GT3 Cup has proven worldwide to create great racing for the fans and for the competitors."
As part of the announcement IMSA announced that Michelin has agreed to be the title sponsor of the series. Michelin will be providing the spec tire for all competitors.
"As part of our racing heritage Michelin is proud to be a part of the first GT3 Cup Challenge in North America," said Amanda Head, Michelin Motorsports Marketing Manager. "Michelin is
associated with the GT3 Cup worldwide as part of our commitment to high-performance tires. The tires used in the series reflect the quality street car tires that we are pleased to offer our customers."
The purpose-built race cars, based on the Porsche 996 body style, will have sealed engines and transmissions, providing for close racing where the driver's talents are exemplified. PMNA will
provide technical support for the series with personnel, parts and expertise both away from and at the track.
"There are over 100 of these cars already in North America," said Uwe Brettel, Porsche Motorsports North America President. "Last April, during Porsche's Rennsport Reunion at Daytona, we had more than 65 cars entered in the Cup class, and we think a lot of these competitors will be interested in running this new series."
"We are thrilled to be working with Michelin and PMNA to bring this type of exciting racing to North America," said Mayer. "With support from manufacturers like Michelin and Porsche we are able to deliver professional racing to all competitors. I would also like to thank the Porsche Club of America and the Porsche Owners Club which have been very supportive as we launch this series."
The 2005 series schedule includes races at the Grand Prix of Atlanta, Apr. 15-17; American Le Mans at Mid-Ohio, May 20-22; Portland International Raceway, July 29-31 and two other races, one on the East Coast and one on the West Coast, to be determined at a later date.
The IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge competitors will be driving Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars, purpose-built race cars manufactured by the Porsche factory on the same assembly line as Porsche's complete line of sports cars for the consumer. The 2002 - 2005 models for IMSA racing is based on the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup street car (996), while the Porsche Michelin Supercup series - which runs with Formula One around the world - has moved to the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car based on the newly-introduced 997 model.
The Cup car carries over last year's improvements to driver safety and comfort as well as measures to avoid over-revving or overheating of the engine.
The six-point safety belt and racing bucket seat underwent modifications to integrate the Head and Neck Support System (HANS), which helps prevent head and neck injuries. The safety cage features an additional cross bar as well as a transversal bar behind the seat and reinforcement to the A-pillar. With this, the GT3 Cup meets the current FIA safety requirements.
Thanks to last year's new adaptor for the seat bracket, very tall drivers now enjoy
enough head room. The new rear side windows of plastic with ventilation slots
provide good air flow through the cockpit and help reduce weight.
Three minor modifications improve operational safety of the 2004/05 GT3 Cup:
* A shift light comes on in the cockpit warning the driver when shifting revs are
reached.
* The speed-limiter ensures that the speed limit in the pit lane is not
exceeded.
* The water level control light warns the driver when the coolant level
is too low.
Since 2003, the six-cylinder boxer engine with 3,598 cc capacity delivers
390 hp (287 kW) at 7,300 rpm. Maximum torque remains unchanged at
390 Nm (6,500 revs), with maximum revs reached at 8,000 rpm.
A recent improvement is an intake air shrouding on the engine, which prevents hot air from around the engine or from under the vehicle reaching the combustion
chambers and causing power loss.
The continuously variable adjustable height, camber and track of the suspension with Sachs gas-pressure shock absorbers adjustable in two position as well as adjustable anti-roll bars open many possibilities for setting up the car.
Through the use of carbon fiber and plastic, the weight of the 911 GT3 Cup remains at 1,160 kilos (2,552 lbs - raised to 2,600 lbs. for Grand-Am rules). All windows, with the exception of the windscreen, are plastic, with the rear lid and doors made of carbon fiber.
The 2004/05 911 GT3 Cup competes in the Porsche makes cup races as well as many other racing series. Older vehicles can - with the exception of the safety cages - be modified to 2004/05 specifications. Due to the great demand for the 911 GT3 Cup, Porsche built about 150 new units in 2004.
IMSA is an approved FIA, ACCUS club that has been sanctioning motor racing events since 1969. IMSA, based in Braselton, Ga., currently sanctions the American Le Mans Series, the Star Mazda Pro Series and the Panoz GT Series.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/84481/211200517400328_image1_thumb.jpg">
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