New Porsche 911 GT3-R Delayed Until 2016

Porsche’s new 991-based GT3 contender will not make its race debut until 2016, the German manufacturer has confirmed.

As Sportscar365 revealed in November, the Porsche 911 GT3-R, which began a testing and development program last summer, had initially planned to debut in the first half of this year, likely as a two-car factory effort at the Nürburgring 24.

According to Head of Porsche Motorsport, Dr. Frank Steffen-Walliser, the car’s initial race program has instead been pushed back to next year in order to focus on further development.

“We will continue testing,” Walliser told Endurance-Info. “It was planned to start racing this year but it’s been postponed until 2016.

“We wish to take our time and do things the best way possible. In 2016, part of the current GT3 fleet will be renewed. The timing of the racing plans is not yet finalized.”

Walliser would not confirm whether the car would make its debut at the 2016 Rolex 24 at Daytona, the first race where full FIA GT3-spec cars will be allowed to compete in the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship.

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John