Long time participant in the Nürburgring 24 Hour race, Falken Motorsport Team has signaled its intent for this year’s event (June 25th-26th) with the decision to run a highly competitive GT3 R specification Porsche 911.
The high performance tyre manufacturer’s decision to switch to the competitive Porsche follows a successful history of campaigning Japanese sports cars in the ADAC Zurich 24 Hour Race and ties in with increasing activity of the brand in the region. “With Falken High Performance Tyres and Porsche, two premium motorsport brands are coming together. This comes at a time when we are increasing our commitment in Europe, with an intention to expand further,” says Falken’s marketing director, Satoru Ushida.
Falken Porsche 911 GT3 R
Drivers for the 2011 assault, a race that will be used to develop the next generation of Falken tyres, are still to be announced but in line with the team’s preparations, the selection is likely to focus on those with extensive Nürburgring experience. “It is our aim to improve our race results from the past. Last year we achieved 12th place overall and 3rd place in the SP7 class and put our performance to the test at the highest level,” adds Ushida.
The 2011 race will take place on the unique Nordschleife on June 25th-26th. With 33 left-hand and 40 right-hand curves, the famous strip of asphalt snakes through the hilly Eifel landscape. In the 2010 Long-Distance Championship (VLN) held at the track, nine out of the ten races were won by the Porsche 911 GT3 R.
I have actually driven the Nordschleif and it is just an amazing circuit. Corners come up with little or no warning, and you have to be wary of other drivers all the time. That drive in Germany remains one of the highlights of my motor racing life.
The 911 GT3 R is powered by six-cylinder, naturally-aspirated boxer engine with four liters of displacement, which generates 480 horsepower (353 kW) at 7,250 rotations per minute. Through a six-speed sequential dog-type gearbox, the power is transmitted to the rear transaxle. Traction control, electronically controlled double de-clutching function and a specially tuned racing ABS make the 911 GT3 R a highly competitive vehicle. Wheels: Front axle: One-piece, forged, lightweight alloy wheels (11J x 18 ET 35) and 290/660R18 tyres. Rear axle: One-piece, forged, lightweight alloy wheels (13J x 18 ET 12.5) and 330/710R18 tyres.
The Falken High Performance Tyres and their extraordinary driving characteristics have formed motorsport for many years. FALKEN racing tyres have proved their quality and performance in the most challenging race series in the world. These include the Super Taikyu Series, the American Le Mans and the Nurburgring event.
The ADAC Zurich 24 Hour Race at the Nürburgring has been held on the approximately 25 km long combination of the Nordschleife and Grand-Prix track since 1970. The long lap length makes a field of more than two hundred vehicles possible, which are driven by up to approximately 700 drivers. Due to the large starting field and more than 200,000 fans that line the track, the race is regarded by some as the largest motorsports event in the world. In 2011, it will be held from the 23rd to 26th June.
