Golz: Porsche Aiming for Bathurst Glory in Car’s Final Race

Photo: Porsche

Porsche 911 GT3 R project manager Sebastian Golz says victory in this weekend’s Liqui-Liquid-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour is the clear aim, in order to add to the car’s heritage in its final factory-backed race in GT3 competition.

Introduced in 2016, the current-gen Porsche is set to be replaced by the German manufacturer’s all-new model, which made its formal debut in last weekend’s Rolex 24 at Daytona.

With event rules prohibiting any all-new or Evo models, Porsche, along with Audi and Aston Martin have been forced to run its previous-generation GT3 cars at Mt. Panorama this weekend.

According to Golz, who oversees the car’s global customer racing efforts, Bathurst represents a major endurance race that still needs to be checked off.

“The aim is clear for everyone,” Golz told Sportscar365. “If we want to put this one in the museum, we need a victory!

“We won the Nürburgring 24 with this car, we did Daytona and Dubai. Spa is left and not possible with the old one and Bathurst is still there. We have to bring it home.”

A total of four GT3-spec Porsches were set to do battle, although now reduced by one following the weekend-ending accident by Tim Pappas in the No. 540 Black Swan Racing entry.

It leaves the Pro-Am class Competition Motorsports entry and two-car Pro effort from Earl Bamber Motorsport squad, which is fielding the Porsche’s two full-season Intercontinental GT Challenge powered by Pirelli driving squads.

The Asian-based team is receiving support from Manthey Racing this weekend in the team’s GT3 debut.

“His team is brand-new but you don’t have to tell him how to do it,” Golz said.

“He’s a professional and knows how to build up your team. He has the right guys on board and has prepared all the stuff around together with some support from Manthey.”

Golz: Increased Interest in 2019-Spec Porsche

Porsche has received increased interest in its all-new 911 GT3 R, with 50 cars having already been pre-sold in the full customer rollout this year.

A total of four cars made their debuts at the Rolex 24 at Daytona, with up to six of the new-new-gen cars set to compete in Blancpain GT World Challenge America.

Increased numbers are expected in Europe and Asia as well.

“Somebody thinks that GT3 is getting down but it’s [heading] in the opposite direction,” Golz said.

“We [created] this car and it directly increased the requests from customers. So it’s quite nice.

“It’s not just important for Europe. We are pushing a lot, including with PMNA in the U.S. We have quite nice teams.

“The PWC championship will be increased with more teams. The American market is quite nice.

“Also we’ve sold cars to Asia and Europe and will end up with a lot of cars, 6-7, for Spa 24 Hours. At the moment it looks quite nice for Porsche.”

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