Porsche 997 GT3RS Tire Destruction and Drifts – Video
The 997 GT3 RS was released in Europe in October 2006 and in North America in spring 2007.
The 997 GT3 RS is 20 kg (44 lb) lighter than the 997 GT3, weighing in at 1,375 kg (3,031 lb). This weight-saving was achieved by the use of an adjustable carbon fiber wing, a plastic engine cover, and a lightweight plastic rear window. The weight savings gives the 997 GT3 RS corresponding engine power to curb weight ratio of 300 bhp (220 kW) per tonne.
The body of the 997 GT3 RS is 44 mm (1.7 in) wider at the rear than the 997 GT3 (a legacy from the Carrera 4 models with which it shares its shell). The muscular-looking rear end conceals a wider track that not only improves directional stability but also increases the potential cornering grip. However, drag is increased and top speed reduced. In addition to the new technology, the paint scheme and body panels are all designed specifically for this car. For the RS version, the limited edition orange colour was mixed specially for this car.
The American version of the 997 GT3 RS has a standard rear window (not plexiglas) and the smaller 911 fuel tank to comply with rules of SCCA, Grand-Am, and IMSA. For Grand-Am races, the central locking wheel nut is replaced with the standard five-lug pattern required under Grand-Am rules.
Production of the first generation 997 GT3 RS (997.1 GT3 RS[6]) ended in 2009. An estimated 1,909 vehicles were delivered worldwide, with an estimated 413 of those directed to the United States.[7][8]
For 2010, the second generation 911 GT3 RS (known as 997.2 GT3 RS[9]) received an additional 35 PS (26 kW; 35 hp) due to a new 3.8-liter flat-six, bringing total power output up to 450 PS (331 kW; 444 hp). This car was not approved for competition in the United States by IMSA American LeMans. Grand-Am originally did not approve the car, but after performance issues (a Porsche team did not compete at the Indy Grand Prix of Alabama round), Grand-Am approved the second-generation car in April 2010.[10][11]
Fifth Gear carried out a road test on the 997 911 GT3 RS which highlighted the exceptional performance of the car[12]
Porsche test driver Walter Röhrl had intended[13] to enter the 2010 24 Hours of Nürburgring on a standard road legal 911 GT3 RS, but had to withdraw due to health reasons from the team that comprised racers Roland Asch and Patrick Simon, plus journalists Horst von Saurma and Chris Harris. The car, entered in cooperation with sport auto (Germany),[14] is registered as S-GO 2400, and was driven from Weissach to Nürburg. The RS was modified according to safety requirements, which included a larger roll cage and fire extinguisher. As no race tyres were available for 19″ rims, the 18″ wheels of the Cup racers were used. Asch qualified with 9:15, 42nd overall, and 9th[15] among the 17 SP7 class entrants, only beaten by its race-prepared Porsche 997 siblings. In an otherwise disappointing race for Porsche, with the best race 997 finishing only 6th, the road legal car did 145 laps, only 9 less than the winning BMW, for place 13.[16] It supposedly had to cover another 306 km, on the Autobahn back home.