Porsche Closing In on Customer GTE Program

Photo: Porsche

Porsche is expected to make its mid-engined 911 RSR available to customers beginning next year, with the German manufacturer close to confirming details on a customer GTE program that would see cars be made available for both the FIA World Endurance Championship and IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

Head of Porsche Motorsport Dr. Frank-Steffen Walliser has revealed that a final decision and announcement is likely to be made before the end of the month.

“We are close to the final decisions,” Walliser told Sportscar365. “Let me say, I’m positive. Everything is going in the right direction.

“After Le Mans, we’ve never had so many people asking for our RSR. I’ve never had so many calls and questions from people who want to buy such a car.

“It totally surprised us, and we definitely can’t build so many.”

The radical new-for-2017 car made its debut in January’s Rolex 24 at Daytona, and while still yet to win its first race, is coming off back-to-back class poles at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park and last weekend’s WEC round at the Nürburgring.

While interest has primarily been from European-based teams, to run the car in the Pro-Am enforced WEC and/or European Le Mans Series classes, Walliser said they’ve also been in discussions with U.S.-based teams for potential GT Le Mans class efforts.

He said they would be looking to limit the number of total customer sales in order to focus on providing a high level of support.

“We’ll do what we can but I’m not keen on high numbers,” he said. “I’m keen on good quality and good service for the customers. I want to see the cars at Le Mans.”

Proton Competition appears to be one of the leading candidates to take delivery of multiple 911 RSRs, although the German squad has also been rumored for a possible switch to Ford GTs, which are also expected to be made available to customers beginning next year.

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