Walliser: 2019 Next “Window” for New Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport

Photo: Bob Chapman/Autosport Image

Head of Porsche Motorsport Dr. Frank-Steffen Walliser has revealed that 2019 is the next “window” where it’s feasible to offer a new version of the Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport, following the overwhelming sellout success of its first-generation GT4-based car.

Nearly 500 Cayman GT4 Clubsports were sold over a one-year production run, with 120 of them now competing worldwide in SRO GT4-licensed championships, a platform which Walliser admits to being one of the key areas of growth in customer racing.

With the Cayman GT4 type 981c out of production, the German manufacturer will have to wait until a new Cayman GT4 model road car is announced, likely around the current type 982 platform.

“We have not made any decisions yet but [the current GT4 race car] has been so successful and the demand is still there. We see growth everywhere. I would say, ‘Yes, why not?'” Walliser told Sportscar365.

“As we see, Audi is coming, Mercedes is coming, BMW is coming. Porsche is there. GT4 will grow.

“It’s the TCR of GT racing or the LMP3 of [prototype] racing. They’re accessible, low-cost cars and this is good for racing.”

Porsche’s current model, which debuted in GT4 competition last year via a Manthey Racing-developed kit, has served as the performance baseline by the SRO, despite the arrival of more powerful and expensive cars into the category.

Walliser explained that the SRO is aiming to keep GT4 technical regulations within a weight-to-power ratio of 3 kg per horse power, per international sporting regulations, which allows a more affordable option for promoters, including not needing a medical helicopter on-site at events.

Therefore, according to the Porsche GT boss, switching to another platform, such as a 911 for GT4 makes no sense.

“The Cayman fits exactly in [this] weight and performance, so this is the baseline,” Walliser said.

“Stephane Ratel fully agrees with us that with 120 cars in GT4 homologation in the market, you have the biggest number of cars, so you are the baseline. And [SRO technical director] Claude Surmont is doing a really good job with that.”

While all GT4 cars have a homologation period of five years, Walliser said there’s no restriction on when new models could be introduced, thus allowing a new generation Cayman GT4 Clubsport for as early as 2019.

“If people want to get a GT4, it makes sense for them to race it for three years without any major update,” he said. “Then we will see.

“It then opens the window to make a new car, even if we have not exactly decided on when it would come.”

Walliser said they plan to keep the Clubsport moniker for GT4, in order to build an identity similar to its 911 Cup car, which has been Porsche’s best-selling race car over the last two decades.

The Clubsport and 911 Cup cars are joined by the 911 GT3 R and 911 RSR in Porsche’s customer racing offerings.

“I’m happy we have a nice ladder that’s easy to understand,” Walliser said.

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