New RSR Takes Second on Debut

Porsche’s new 911 RSR made a successful race debut at the 24 Hours of Daytona, the first round of the 2017 IMSA SportsCar Championship…

Porsche’s new 911 RSR finished second in the GTLM class at the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona Speedway, the first round of the 2017 IMSA SportsCar Championship. The new car made its race debut at what proved to be a very tricky event, hampered by wet weather and a multitude of (21) full course yellow flag phases – the longest of which lasted for over two hours.

The mid-engined 510hp RSRs qualified fifth and eighth in the GTLM class yet made a difficult start to the great race, losing time and positions due to six unscheduled tyre changes. This tyre reliability issue was traced to the right front on both cars, and after a solution was found and implemented both 911s began to make progress. Works drivers Patrick Pilet, Dirk Werner, and Frédéric Makowiecki were at the wheel of the No911 Porsche, while Kévin Estre, Laurens Vanthoor and Richard Lietz competed in the No912 car.