Is the 911 nearing the end of it's comptetitive racing days?

[juicersr]

Just finished the article in this months excellence about the 2008 season, with the underlying tone being that the 911/997 platform was reaching the very end of it's rope in terms of development in today's racing environment. Other teams are pumping money and R/D into their platforms, while Porsche is focusing on the Spyder and with the 911/997 it's business as usual. What is possible to do to this car under present AMLS rules in order to keep it competitive with Ferrari? Whatever happened to selling cars by winning races????? If Porsche were 'old' Porsche, they would have already developed the Cayman into the dominant race car that i has the potential to be, and i guarantee that they wouldn't be able to keep Caymans in the showroom. Instead, they have counted on minimally refining the 997 RSR with the arrogant attitude that it will just keep on winning. The Cayman would rock as a race car... Jurgen Alzen and Mspeed have already shown it's potential. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8137ufJbzR0

[efhughes3]

I would've maybe agreed more with you on this last year after the '07 season. But, it seems like the Lizards were able to squeak out OK in the '08 ALMS series?

I think it is some of what you say, but it is also that other cars have gotten better, and in (especially) Ferrari's case, they've built a fair amount of durability and reliability into their design.

It looks like the Spyder will take a backseat for now. From what, 8 running around the world last year to ?? this year. No Penske, no Dyson, I just read about one of the Euro teams looking to sell his too.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Racing in general is going to be all but irrelevant in the next few years as the global recession takes hold. It won't matter which team can make the fastest cars, but which teams can actually procure sponsorship and keep themselves solvent in these times. It's ultimately going to be about a battle of finances, not racing prowess.

[JeremyD]

+1

And as usual I think that the rulebooks will determine who will win championships and which cars will be competitive.

[Zeke]

Racing took a big hit during the oil embargos of '74 and '78. Tracks closed. We'll see some of that again, IMO. Strict rules baring the more expensive side of racing will help all teams. I think I'd start with tires. Make 'em hard and make them last half a race for sprint length races.

In the 70's the development curve was not near as steep. Nowadays, teams have to reinvent the car each year (to some extent and a almost totally in F1). NASCAR shows the extreme side of this philosophy, but the racing doesn't seem real sometimes. At least many are critical of the show. (Get up close to one of these deals and you'll see just how hard these guys really do race.)

The sanctioning bodies need to look at all possibilities and apply what fits their format to limit the steep and expensive curve. Oh, and it will help to "green" up the racing motors. I've never been a big fan of a gas mileage race, but it is what it is. Crew chiefs will do whatever it takes. Well, give them half the engine then. Or something else that limits the guzzling of fuel.

[911nut]

There's a reason that Porsche is the most profitable car company in the world; they've starved their racing budget for the 997 to almost nothing.
There's no factory team any more. I think that this alone has caused a serious brain drain in the company when it comes to the development and fielding of competitive cars.
They farmed the P2 Spyder to Penske, who did the development. I'll bet the same thing is going on with Flying Lizard.
If I'm right, things will only get worse. In this kind of economy no one needs a Porsche.

[juicersr]

Yeah, i guess i should just accept that Porsche is just another car company now that happens to have made stuff in the past that i like and get on with it. At least there is RUF to carry on with what i perceive as the spirit of 'old' Porsche. I guess soon going to a modern racing event will be like watching pro wrestling, with the outcome pretty much known before it started. Just like the Excellence article said, the human element is being eliminated and people/ race teams treated like commodties (Dyson) by the factories. Sigh.

[jurhip]

Just like the Excellence article said, the human element is being eliminated and people/ race teams treated like commodties (Dyson) by the factories. Sigh.

I never agree with statements like these. A car that is easier to drive, can be driven that much faster by a competent driver, hence the driver always matters. Put me in a great car, and I am sure an professional driver could beat me in a Crown Vic. I think there always should always be a technology showcase series in racing, like F1 until just recently. It pushes both man and the men making the machine.

But, that is not the point of this post. The cayman should be the race car basis. But having your #2 car "beat" your #1 is bad business. Now, can the 911 still be developed? Yes. People were asking this question when the 944 came out. Also, it doesn't hurt your race stats when 911s field the vast majority of their class. Makes it easier to win.

Finally, I do not think modern racing tech trickles down as in the past. Racing was often used as the ultimate endurance test. Now, there are many new/faster/ cheaper ways to do this.

[efhughes3]

Originally Posted by 911nut

There's a reason that Porsche is the most profitable car company in the world; they've starved their racing budget for the 997 to almost nothing.
There's no factory team any more. I think that this alone has caused a serious brain drain in the company when it comes to the development and fielding of competitive cars.
They farmed the P2 Spyder to Penske, who did the development. I'll bet the same thing is going on with Flying Lizard.
If I'm right, things will only get worse. In this kind of economy no one needs a Porsche.

???

Porsche has long used Privateers to field their race cars. It's no secret that Penske got a ton of support from Porsche at each and every race. No different than FLMS, and TRG. That, and a flock of factory drivers placed here and there throughout the privateer teams.

There's a lot of racing budgets being starved or axed....Honda out of F1, Subaru out of WRC, etc.