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Racing with Professionals/Performance is our Passion/Enjoy our Professional Race World!
Friday, 30 November 2012
Newsletter 49/ WTCC
Le Mans 24 Hours / World Endurance Championship Porsche works team fields two 911 RSR in 2013
Porsche works team fields two 911 RSR in 2013
Stuttgart. For the 2013 racing season, Porsche AG will field two new GT racecars based on the newest generation of the Porsche 911 at the Le Mans 24 hour race and in the World Endurance Championship (WEC). For the first time since the overall victory in 1998, a factory team from Porsche will tackle the famed long distance classic in France.The two new Porsche 911 RSR, which race in the GTE category, will be run by the Porsche AG Team Manthey. The role of team manager goes to the experienced endurance specialist Olaf Manthey, who has celebrated five overall wins with Porsche at the Nürburgring 24 hour race and recently fielded a 911 GT3 RSR in the International GT Open.
“The new 911 RSR is currently being developed by our engineers and tested by our works drivers,” says Porsche Head of Motorsport, Hartmut Kristen. “What better time could there be to introduce the new car than the Porsche 911’s 50th anniversary.”
Communication Porsche AG
Motorsport Press
Oliver Hilger
Thursday, 29 November 2012
2013 ADAC GT Masters promises to be even more exciting
2013 ADAC GT Masters
promises to be even more exciting
- Sophisticated computational model for 'Balance of
Performance'
- Adjustments to driver classifications and handicap
weights
- All 16 races in 2013 to be shown live on TV again
The ADAC has paved the way for an even more exciting ADAC GT Masters season in 2013. Improvements in the rules for the forthcoming season promise to make the Super Sports Car League even more competitive. There are changes to the 'Balance of Performance' (BoP) to ensure equal opportunities for different vehicle designs, and to the driver classification, with the former Amateur class being re-designated 'Gentlemen'.
The 'Balance of Performance' in 2013 will once again be in line with the standard laid down by the FIA for sports cars competing under GT3 regulations. The basic classification will be determined by the FIA before the season starts by measuring engine performance and downforce. 'Balance of Performance' for the ADAC GT Masters will then be worked out by putting this data through a specially adapted computational model that also takes into account those parameters that are specific to the ADAC GT Masters such as tyres. Responsibility for 'Balance of Performance' in the 2013 season will once again lie solely with the German Motorsport Association (DMSB).
Also undergoing some changes next season are the driver classifications and the handicap weights. Drivers will continue to be classified by the International Automobile Federation (FIA) on a scale reflecting track record: Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze. The driver classification in the ADAC GT Masters will be essentially similar but will have only three categories: Professionals (equivalent to FIA Platinum and Gold), Semi-Professionals (equivalent to FIA Silver) and Gentlemen (equivalent to FIA Bronze). "With the Platinum and Gold categories, we are talking about fully professional drivers in both cases," says ADAC Head of Motorsport Division Lars Soutschka. "It has been our experience over the past few years that, when you put them all in GT3 sports cars, there are rarely any significant differences in performance. Platinum drivers such as ex-Formula 1 contestants Heinz-Harald Frentzen and Karl Wendlinger were carrying far too big a handicap under the previous regulations and were consequently discriminated against in sporting terms. The new rule is much fairer without compromising the spirit of the ADAC GT Masters."
To uphold the principle of sporting fairness, weight handicaps will once again be applied to driver pairings in accordance with their driver classifications. Two Professionals sharing a car will carry a 40kg handicap (previously 60 kilos). In the case of Semi-Professionals and Gentlemen, the sliding scale of handicaps means that they can enjoy a weight advantage of up to 40 kilos.
The former Amateur class of the ADAC GT Masters now goes into the 2013 season under a new name. All drivers in the Bronze category will be competing against each other in the Gentleman class which is worth EUR75,000 in prize money. If two Bronze drivers share one car, their points will be multiplied by a factor of 1.5. Competitors appearing on the podium in next year's Gentleman class will be joined by their higher-ranked co-driver.
"The improvements in the 2013 regulations will ensure fairer competition and even more exciting racing," says Lars Soutschka confidently. "Fans watching the action at the track or at home can look forward to a great season ahead. All races will be shown on TV again in 2013. The live broadcasts of the ADAC GT Masters since 2010 have been an important contributory factor in the rise to prominence of the series. We would like to maintain this momentum in 2013." Details about TV coverage in the forthcoming season will be announced shortly.
Registration for the 2013 ADAC GT Masters 2013 has already begun. Teams signing up before 15th December benefit from attractive discounted rates. Registrations can only be accepted online. Visit www.adac.de/motorsport.
As usual, the 2013 ADAC GT Masters will be contested over 16 rounds on eight race weekends. The Super Sports Car League will be making debut appearances in 2013 at the Formula 1 circuit in Spa-Francorchamps and at the Slovakiaring in Slovakia. The curtain-raiser for the seventh ADAC GT Masters season takes place on the weekend of 26th - 28th April at the Motorsport Arena Oschersleben.
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The
ADAC GT Masters will once again be shown live on TV in 2013
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The
Amateur class has been re-designated as 'Gentlemen'
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The
2013 ADAC GT Masters promises to be even more exciting
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Adjustments
to the vehicle classification should ensure greater equality of opportunity
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ADAC GT Masters website press section: ADAC GT Masters Web
Further information available at www.adac.de/motorsport and www.adac-gt-masters.de
Media Contact:
ADAC GT Masters
Oliver Runschke
Tuesday, 27 November 2012
Porsche Race Manager turns 80 Porsche congratulates Peter Falk on 80th birthday
Porsche congratulates Peter Falk on 80th birthday
Stuttgart. Former Porsche engineer and race manager Peter Falk will be marking his 80th birthday on 27 November 2012. Peter Falk was a Porsche AG employee for more than three decades. Not only did he play a vital role in the development of many legendary sports and racing cars such as the Porsche 917, as racing director he was also primarily responsible for the greatest successes of the Porsche 956/962 in the Group C Sports Car category.In 1959 Peter Falk began his career with Porsche as a young road testing engineer in the vehicle testing department. There he not only played a crucial role in the development of the original 911, he was also behind the wheel for the first race of the brand-new Porsche 911, taking a very respectable fifth overall at the 1965 Monte Carlo Rally with co-driver Herbert Linge. In the following years, many race car types from the 906 all the way to the 917 were designed under his responsibility as the head of pre-series and race car development with which Porsche established itself among the leaders in international motor racing.
From 1973 to 1981 Peter Falk was the head of road testing for series development of the 911, 924 and 928 models. His special areas of expertise were bodywork and transmissions as well as track testing and endurance tests. As the head of racing development and racing director, starting in 1982 Peter Falk was responsible for the highly successful era of Group C 956 and 962 sports-prototype racing cars. With seven overall Le Mans wins and eleven world championship titles, this racing car project proved to be the most successful in company history. Two overall victories at the Paris-Dakar Rally in 1984 and 1986 were additional high points in his career.
As the head of chassis development, from 1989 until his retirement in 1993 Peter Falk was responsible for many successful vehicle projects. He thus had a key role in the development of the 911 derivative 993 as well as advance development of the 911 derivative 996 and Porsche Boxster. Peter Falk also remained very active in the motoring world after his retirement. In addition to his work as a participant in and organiser of classic car rallies, Peter Falk is high in demand as an interview partner on automotive topics.
Communication Porsche AG
Porsche Museum
Astrid Böttinger
Saturday, 24 November 2012
Junior Programme Porsche supports four juniors in the 2013 season
Porsche supports four juniors in the 2013 season
Stuttgart. Alex Riberas Bou (18) from Spain and America’s Connor de Phillippi (19) are the new Porsche juniors for the 2013 racing season. The two young hot shots, who have already achieved successes in karting and various Formula race series, will contest the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland in 2013. After their excellent performance this past season, the Austrian Klaus Bachler (21) and Michael Christensen (22) from Denmark will receive support from Porsche again in 2013 as Porsche Juniors competing in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup. Porsche supplies the four rookie drivers with the bulk of their budgets and provides coaching for the talented youngsters on and off the track.In an extensive selection process, Alex Riberas Bou and Connor de Phillippi came out on top against young pilots from all over the world. Factors taken into account were fitness, mental strength and technical understanding. At the finale on the race track in Vallelunga (Italy), the best six candidates had to prove they could work alongside engineers, drive consistent times over a race distance as well as underline their speed in qualifying laps on fresh tyres.
“The decision was a very exciting one,” says Porsche Head of Racing, Hartmut Kristen. “The finalists were all on an impressive level. In order to select the two candidates with the greatest potential, our engineers carefully examined every single lap. Both Alex Riberas Bou and Connor de Phillippi have the talent necessary to be successful in the sports car scene and to follow in the footsteps of Klaus Bachler and Michael Christensen. Our current Porsche works drivers have shown that the Carrera Cup is an excellent platform for a professional international career.”
The Porsche Juniors themselves will choose the teams with whom they want to contest the Carrera Cup Deutschland. On and off the track, the pilots receive assistance similar to the internationally successful Porsche factory drivers. Fitness tests with constantly adapted training plans as well as media coaching and sponsor obligations are also part of the programme.
Alex Riberas Bou comes from Barcelona in Spain. As a child he initially played soccer for FC Barcelona, and then went on to secure his first successes in kart racing at the age of 13. In 2010, he switched to the Formula Renault 2.0 Eurocup and immediately pocketed second in the rookie classification. For the 2011 and 2012 seasons, he established himself as one of the top drivers in the highly competitive Formula series. Aside from soccer, motocross, trial, skiing and squash, the Spaniard is an avid fan of historic Porsche vehicles.
“My biggest dream has come true. I’ve always been a huge Porsche fan,” says the 18-year-old junior pilot. “Although I’ve only raced karts and Formula cars until now, I immediately felt at home at the wheel of the Porsche 911. I can’t wait for the 2013 season and the things I will learn over the winter months from Porsche and my future team.”
Connor de Phillippi lives in the Californian town of San Clemente south of Los Angeles. He began racing karts at the age of five and over the course of the next nine years he notched up 21 national championships. In 2008 he made the jump to Formula racing. Straightaway, he secured the title in the Skip Barber West Coast Series and became champion of the Skip Barber National Championship in 2009. In 2010 the American with Italian roots took the next step on the career ladder and concluded the Formula Star Mazda series ranking third overall. 2011 yielded him vice-championship honours followed by third overall in 2012. Not surprisingly, the dark-haired Californian coast resident loves wake boarding and body surfing in his spare time. On land, Connor de Phillippi keeps himself in top shape on the bike and snowboard.
“It’s unbelievable to now be a part of this programme,” says de Phillippi. “It’s a huge step for me to now race in Europe. But as everyone knows, there is no better school in GT racing than to pit yourself against the top specialists in the Carrera Cup Deutschland. Porsche works driver Patrick Long also took this route. He is one of my biggest role model. I hope to be his teammate one day.”
Klaus Bachler and Michael Christensen now move into the second stage of the Porsche junior support programme concept. For next season, the pair is promoted to the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup as support to Formula 1. Bachler concluded his maiden season in the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland ranking eighth in the championship and secured a podium result at his home race in Austria. Christensen claimed third place on the Lausitzring and crowned his season with a victory at the finale in Hockenheim. This earned the Dane seventh place in the championship.
“I’m very pleased that Klaus Bachler and Michael Christensen quickly earned their stripes in the Carrera Cup Deutschland,” says Hartmut Kristen, Head of Porsche racing. “Both show huge potential and are following the path that we had hoped for in our Junior Programme. Their learning curve is steep. I’m certain they will also enjoy success in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup.”
Communication Porsche AG
Motorsport Press
Oliver Hilger
Thursday, 22 November 2012
McLaren GT strengthens engineering team
British manufacturer welcomes high-calibre recruits
McLaren GT strengthens engineering team
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The GT3 department at McLaren has laid down a marker for the 2013 season with the recruitment of three top engineers.
McLaren GT, the sports car di
McLaren GT strengthens engineering team
.jpg)
The GT3 department at McLaren has laid down a marker for the 2013 season with the recruitment of three top engineers.
McLaren GT, the sports car di
vision of the successful Formula 1 outfit, is showing serious intent in the GT3 category. The company has strengthened its engineering team prior to the second full season for the McLaren MP4-12C GT3 by signing three top names in the sport: Andrew Bailey is transferring from McLaren Formula 1 to become race manager in the sports car department; Ian Morgan has been poached from Red Bull Racing as Head of Engineering; and Tim White is coming across from Lotus to develop the 3.8-litre V8 twin-turbo engine of the 12C. The three new arrivals have set up shop at the McLaren GT headquarters, the former F1 factory building which is not far from the McLaren Technology Centre where the Formula 1 cars are currently built.
"I am delighted to welcome three such high-profile additions to the team," says McLaren GT Director Andrew Kirkaldy. "Their track record in various competitions at the highest level of motor racing speaks for itself. It is a great coup for us to get them on board at the end of a very challenging but also highly successful debut season. I am confident that all three will be a great addition to our team as we make our preparations for another successful season in 2013."
McLaren GT has delivered a total of 25 MP4-12C GT3s to customers throughout Europe. Competing in various racing series, the McLaren MP4-12C GT3 has so far notched up 19 wins.
The 2012 ADAC GT Masters season saw two teams line up in the British supercar: Gemballa Racing and MRS GT-Racing. Philipp Eng demonstrated the speed credentials of the McLaren by securing a pole position at the Red Bull Ring. The best result of the season for the MP4-12C came with a fifth-place finish for Sascha Bert and Christopher Brück in the second race at the circuit in Austria.
"I am delighted to welcome three such high-profile additions to the team," says McLaren GT Director Andrew Kirkaldy. "Their track record in various competitions at the highest level of motor racing speaks for itself. It is a great coup for us to get them on board at the end of a very challenging but also highly successful debut season. I am confident that all three will be a great addition to our team as we make our preparations for another successful season in 2013."
McLaren GT has delivered a total of 25 MP4-12C GT3s to customers throughout Europe. Competing in various racing series, the McLaren MP4-12C GT3 has so far notched up 19 wins.
The 2012 ADAC GT Masters season saw two teams line up in the British supercar: Gemballa Racing and MRS GT-Racing. Philipp Eng demonstrated the speed credentials of the McLaren by securing a pole position at the Red Bull Ring. The best result of the season for the MP4-12C came with a fifth-place finish for Sascha Bert and Christopher Brück in the second race at the circuit in Austria.
(ADAC GT Masters)
Tuesday, 20 November 2012
Porsche 911 Carrera and Panamera win "Auto Trophy" Top ranks for Porsche in important reader survey
Top ranks for Porsche in important reader survey
Stuttgart. The success story of the Porsche 911 Carrera goes on. Now, the readers of Auto Zeitung were also convinced. The innovative sports car was recognised as the best car in its class on the occasion of the 25th "Auto Trophy" award. This is the 19th time, making the Porsche 911 the most successful car in the history of the "Auto Trophy". Also high on the podium at this year's readers' choice of Auto Zeitung is the four-door Gran Turismo by Porsche AG. The Panamera came first in the luxury-car category. Three further second places in their respective classes for the Porsche 911 Cabriolet, the 911 Turbo, and the Cayenne round off this success story. Matthias Müller, President and CEO of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, accepted the prize for the Porsche 911 Carrera in Düsseldorf, presented by Volker Koerdt, Chief Editor of Auto Zeitung. Wolfgang Hatz, Member of the Executive Board Research and Development, accepted the award for the Panamera.Around 111,000 readers of Auto Zeitung in Germany took part in the vote. There was a total of 400 vehicles in 29 classes to choose from. The Porsche 911 Carrera won the sports car category by a wide margin to the closest competitors.
Product and Technology Communication
Product Communication
Holger Eckhardt
YOKOHAMA already testing for ADAC GT Masters 2013
- ADAC GT Masters exclusive tyre partner in preparations for next season
- Two days of development tests in southern France
- Trialling of new slicks and wets
Even before the end of this season, ADAC GT Masters exclusive tyre partner YOKOHAMA began making preparations for next year. The Japanese manufacturer is currently working flat out to develop new tyre specifications for the supercars that will be contesting the 2013 ADAC GT Masters season. Over a two-day period last week, teams and drivers from the ADAC GT Masters put the tyres through their paces on the Paul Ricard High Tech Test Track at Le Castellet in southern France.
The purpose of the tests, which took place under perfect weather conditions, was to carry forward development of new compounds for sports cars with front and mid engine. Callaway Competition brought along two Corvettes, while Mamerow Racing were represented by Chris Mamerow (27, Waltrop) in an Audi R8. The main focus of the tests at the former F1 track situated in Provence between Marseille and Toulon was on the development of slicks; on the second day, however, YOKOHAMA artificially soaked the surface to try out their new rain tyres.
"We tested various new tyre specifications on Day 1 and then picked two of them to put in a long run over a full race distance on the second day," said ADAC GT Masters runner-up Diego Alessi (41, Italy), explaining the rationale. "After the long run, we were able to supply YOKOHAMA with fairly precise information about the tyre specification for 2013." Alessi was well satisfied with the progress made. "The performance is comparable with the tyres we've been using this year; however, YOKOHAMA have been working hard on a number of issues such as getting them up to temperature, the balance between front and rear axles, and the consistency."
On Day 2, the Corvettes and the Audi tested on a wet surface. Alessi: "Trialling the rain tyres was not easy, because the grip level on the artificially watered track wasn't the same for each attempt. Having said that, though, the wet weather tyres for the coming season essentially offer more grip, especially on the front wheels, and they are more consistent. YOKOHAMA have done a very good job on the development for 2013, and these tests were very well organised from a logistics aspect."
YOKOHAMA Motorsport Manager Manfred Theisen was also well pleased with the way things had gone: "The testing was highly satisfactory. After two days of intensive work on a variety of different specifications, we have gained a number of valuable insights. We will process the feedback from the tests and define our tyre specifications for the 2013 season on the basis of what we have been told. We are definitely on the right track in the development of next year's tyres for the front and mid-engine sports cars contesting the ADAC GT Masters."
ADAC Head of Motorsport Division Lars Soutschka commented: "We will sit down with YOKOHAMA and analyse the results of the tests to see if there are any further improvements that can be made with respect to the tyre that we will be using next season. It has to suit all the teams and all the cars equally."
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| ADAC GT Masters exclusive tyre partner in preparations for next season | Teams and drivers from the ADAC GT Masters put the tyres through their paces | Two days of development tests in southern France | Diego Alessi tested in a Corvette | ||||||||
ADAC GT Masters website press section: ADAC GT Masters Web site: access to Press Area via 'Press' in the top menu bar at www.adac.de/motorsport.
ADAC GT Masters
Oliver Runschke
Wednesday, 14 November 2012
Porsche Motorsport around the world
Stuttgart. The Motorsport Newsletter regularly provides information on Porsche Motorsport around the world. More detailed information and additional photographs are available for accredited journalists from the press database.
Youth Development: Porsche works drivers as mentors
The Porsche youth development programme is running at high revs, and the seasoned Porsche works drivers are passing on their knowledge to the younger generation. Early in October, Patrick Long shared his experiences at the inaugural “Porsche Motorsport North America Driver Academy” with four selected young drivers. Patrick Pilet is mentor to the “Matmut Jeune Talent” programme in the Carrera Cup France. Timo Bernhard provided back up to the Porsche Juniors at three Carrera Cup Deutschland races as substitute for the regular junior coach Sascha Maassen.
Porsche Junior Programme 2012: Christensen’s premiere at the finale
Denmark’s Michael Christensen celebrated a perfect finale to his first season as Porsche Junior: From pole position, the 22-year-old won the last race of the 2012 Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland on the Hockenheimring (20/21 October). His Junior colleague Klaus Bachler (21) narrowly missed out on a podium spot by just-nine hundredths of a second. In the rookie classification Christensen and Bachler ranked second and third after their maiden season.
Porsche Junior Programme 2013: Six finalists in Vallelunga shootout
Six young pilots took part in a final shoot-out from 29 to 31 October on the Autodromo Vallelunga to determine which two drivers will receive intensive support as Porsche Juniors in the 2013 Carrera Cup Deutschland. Levin Amweg (18) and Jeffrey Schmidt (18) from Switzerland, Dutchmen Dennis van de Laar (18) and Pieter Schothorst (20), Spain’s Alex Riberas Bou (18) as well as American Connor de Philippi (19) had come out on top after a selection process against international competition. The decision on the future juniors will be announced in the next weeks after analysing all information.
Porsche Motorsport International Scholarship: Sights set on the Supercup
After the Junior shootout in Vallelunga, nine drivers from seven Carrera Cups and the GT3 Cup Challenge Canada fought for the Porsche Motorsport International Scholarship: funding to the value of 200,000 Euro is supplied to contest the 2013 season of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup. Five newly-crowned Carrera Cup champions, RyoHirakawa (18, Japan), Alexandre Imperatori (25, CC Asia), Johan Kristoffersson (23, Scandinavia), Michael Meadows (25, Great Britain) and Jean-Karl Vernay (25, France) went head-to-head against top competitors André Heimgartner (17, Carrera Cup Australia), Kyle Marcelli (22, GT3 Cup Challenge Canada), Côme Ledogar (21, CC France) and Edoardo Piscopo (24, CC Italia). Porsche Motorsport will announce the winner in several weeks.
World Endurance Championship: Two times podium for Porsche
After their second win of the season at round seven on the Fuji International Speedway (14 October) in the 911 GT3 RSR of Felbermayr-Proton, Marc Lieb and Richard Lietz climbed the podium in second in the GTE Pro class at the final in Shanghai (28 October). In the GTE Am class, Christian Ried, Paolo Ruberti and Gianluca Roda finished in second in a 911 from last year fielded by Felbermayr-Proton. The track record for the year: Three victories and four other podium results.
American Le Mans Series: Unlucky Bergmeister and Long, lucky Dumas
Fifth place after a questionable time penalty cost Joerg Bergmeister, Patrick Long and their Flying Lizard Motorsports squad a podium spot at the ALMS finale in Road Atlanta (20 October) as well as the possible GT vice-championship. On the other hand, their works pilot colleague Romain Dumas had reason to celebrate. As a guest driver, the Frenchman provided support to Klaus Graf and Lucas Luhr in their LMP1 class title win.
International GT Open: Double victory for the 911 GT3 RSR at finale
Porsche works driver Marco Holzer and Manthey-Racing pilot Nick Tandy won the 16th and final race in Barcelona (4 November) at the wheel of the 911 GT3 RSR of Manthey-Racing. After clinching their fifth win of the season, the German and Briton became vice-champions. The duo was just three points shy of the title. Second in the race on the Circuit de Cataluña went to factory pilot Patrick Pilet and his French compatriot Raymond Narac in a 911 GT3 RSR run by IMSA Performance Matmut.
French GT Championship: Hassid and Beltoise crowned as champions
At the first race of the seventh and final weekend (27/28 October) in Le Castellet, Henry Hassid and Anthony Beltoise won the fight for the French GT Championship in the 911 GT3 R fielded by Pro GT by Almeras. At race two on Sunday, the champions retired with a radiator leak.
Japanese Super GT: Endless Taisan 911 GT3 R wins both titles
Kyosuke Mineo and Naoki Yokomizo claimed their first win of the season in the 911 GT3 R of Endless Taisan at the finale on the Twin Ring Motegi (28 October), and took home the driver and team championships in the GT 300 class. For the Taisan team this marked their eighth title. The favourite Hankook-Porsche 911 GT3 R with Masami Kageyama and Tomonobu Fujii were not able to turn the pole position to their advantage at the rain race. Seventh place handed them runner-up honours for the drivers and the team.
Race notes: Finale of the Italian GT Championship in Monza (20/21 October): Victory for Matteo Malucelli and Christian Passuti in the 911 GT3 R of Antonelli Motorsport at race one. Race two goes to Alessandro Balzan and Giacomo Barri in the GT3 R of Ebimotors. +++ Porsche factory pilot Marc Lieb shines at his guest start in the Australian V8 Supercar Championship in Surfers Paradise (19/21 October) with second place. +++ At the penultimate race weekend of the Porsche Carrera Cup Australia in Surfers Paradise (20 /21 October), two wins hand Craig Baird his tenth title in a Porsche one-make race series. +++ Title decision between René Rast and his teammate Sean Edwards at the final race weekend of the Carrera Cup Deutschland in Hockenheim (20/21 October). Rast finishes in seventh and wins the championship for the second time since 2008. Nicki Thiim wins the race. +++ At the Macau GT Cup this coming weekend (17/18 November), seven 911 GT3 R as well as three 911 GT3 Cup line up on the grid. The most prominent Porsche pilot: Works driver Romain Dumas, who contests the city race in China at the wheel of the same 911 GT3 R with which he drove to second at the Pikes Peak mountain race.
Communication Porsche AG
Motorsport Press
Oliver Hilger
Special exhibition at the Porsche Museum 40 Years of Porsche Design
40 Years of Porsche Design
Stuttgart. The world’s first black timepiece, the legendary exclusive spectacles and the Porsche 911 – for decades, all these products have stood for a unique design by Ferdinand Alexander Porsche: In 1972 he founded the “Porsche Design Studio” in Stuttgart, the head office of which was relocated to Zell am See in Austria in 1974. Starting today, the Porsche Museum is marking the company’s 40th anniversary with a special exhibition: from 13 November 2012 to 17 February 2013, visitors can experience the most important, most interesting and most extraordinary products as well as how Porsche Design came to exist.The focus of the anniversary exhibition is on the “Porsche Design” brand, which in recent years has been developed into one of the world’s leading luxury brands with its own sales network. F.A. Porsche designed numerous classic men’s accessories such as watches, spectacles and writing implements, which achieved worldwide recognition under the “Porsche Design” brand. In parallel, with his team, he designed a plethora of industrial products, household appliances and consumer durables for internationally renowned clients under the “Design by F.A. Porsche” brand. Ferdinand Alexander Porsche won numerous honours and awards for his work as a designer.
For example, the “Chronograph I”, a milestone in the watchmaker’s craft, is a compulsory exhibition piece. The world’s first black timepiece, and at the same time luxury brand Porsche Design’s first product, created a furore in 1972 because the automatic chronograph – considered unthinkable at the time – was designed in matt black throughout and provocatively unadorned. With this chronometer, F.A. Porsche was anticipating a trend that is part and parcel of today’s watch industry and even then was considered to be revolutionary. In addition to the chronograph, the visitor will also be presented with other products from the accessories and spectacles range. For example the Porsche Design P’8478 exclusive spectacles will be on display, already purchased by more than 7 million wearers. Writing implements and pipes will also feature in the exhibition.
A highlight of the special exhibition is the grand piano, which the Porsche Design Studio designed for the Bösendorfer piano factory in 2003. This grand piano symbolises the studio’s design output, characterised by a clear, functional design language, meticulous choice of materials and top quality workmanship. The adjustable “Antropovarius” lounge chair developed by the Porsche Design Studio in 1982 in collaboration with the Institute of Ergonomics of the University of Munich will also be on display as will the “Alternative Motorcycle Concept”, AMK, devised in 1980 as an alternative solution to the car and to conventional motorcycles.
In addition to a selection of special design developments, the visitor will also gain an insight into the everyday creative life of Porsche Design’s employees. This is where those who are interested will discover not just the individual steps in creating the product – from conceiving the idea through to design – but also the sources of inspiration. For example, in the case of the pipe, it is explained that when it came to the cooling ribs, F.A. Porsche took his lead from air-cooled single cylinder motorcycle engines. The Porsche museum also looks back at the life’s work and man that was F.A. Porsche, who created legendary cars such as the 904 Carrera GTS and Porsche 911. In the process the visitor will find out things such as why in 1974 F.A. Porsche decided to locate the Design Studio in Zell am See.
The Porsche Museum is using the anniversary exhibition as an opportunity to extend its tour programme. At 3 p.m. on Wednesdays and Sundays, the visitor has the opportunity to experience the special exhibition in the course of a one hour themed tour at a price of four euro per person. The Store at the Porsche Centre in Stuttgart Zuffenhausen also offers a ten per cent discount on Porsche Design products upon presentation of the museum entrance ticket.
The volume “Porsche Design 40Y – The Book” is also being published in time for the anniversary, available in both German and English for 98 euro in the Porsche Museum shop as well as in book stores. In the course of more than 570 pages, the reader is acquainted with an insight into the history of Porsche Design.
The Porsche Museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is eight euro for adults and four euro for concessions. Further information is available on the Internet at www.porsche.com/museum.
Communication Porsche AG
Porsche Museum
Astrid Böttinger
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