Sep 26, 2007 3:44:22 PM
- Porsche-Jeck
- Rennteam Master
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- Loc: Rheinland , Germany
- Posts: 4856, Gallery
- Registered on: Jun 27, 2005
Walter Röhrl about his fast lap in the GT2
Some interesting statements from WR (made during an interview published in the recent copy of 911 & Porsche World).
Enjoy
About his fast lap with the GT2 on the Ring:
It's hazardous enough running development cars at maximum speed, and Walter recently had a close shave. "The next new car is the GT2. Recently, I was at the Nürburgring during Industry Week to make the final tests. It is always important to have a good laptime to tell the people - because that's what they always want to know - how quick is it around Nordschleife. Then they know if it is fast enough. All the test drivers were there, all the buddies, from Mercedes, BMW, Audi. Everybody knows the score: these guys are so fast that you don't have problems. I did my fast lap at 7m29s, the fastest lap a standard car has ever done, and I passed 11 cars. There was an Audi A3, and he was not watching his mirrors, and I passed him at 310 kph on Tiergarten, and he went sideways. It was so close! After that I told Porsche: It's finished with these fast cars, you cannot do this any more. Either you have a closed road or forget it, it's too dangerous now."
About developing the GT3/RS and it's performance
"With standard cars like the GT3 it's always the small changes that make the difference. Normal people never reach this level of driving. But we are really trying to make the car driveable, 100 per cent. If I go, say 8m02s at Nürburgring, the car seems perfect. But if I go 7m59s, the same car seems loose."
"If you go 90% the 997 GT3 and the GT3 RS are equal. At 100% the RS is quieter in the corners. That's because of the wing and the track is a little bit wider. The GT3 is really comfortable for such a car, not like the 964 RS, and so smooth over the bumps."
About the 997 TT
"It's fantastic! You have comfort and the power of a racing car. But maybe it's a sign I'm getting old. If I'm going away with my wife maybe we have a discussion of which car to use, we take this one because it's got air-conditioning and it's quieter - not so hot. I don't have electrical seats or a back wiper, just to save a bit of weight."
About his 964 RS and the secret of fast cars
"It weighs 1,150 kg, which is fantastic. You feel it on braking, on turning in - the secret of fast cars is low weight."
About the engine of his (sold) 3.2 Carrera
"The 3.2 litre engine is the best that Porsche ever made, in my opinion."
About his car affection
"I'm completely crazy about cars, and I really look after them. Even though I'm a rallye driver and I take cars over great big rocks and holes in the ground, on the road with my own car I even avoid small stones!"
Enjoy
About his fast lap with the GT2 on the Ring:
It's hazardous enough running development cars at maximum speed, and Walter recently had a close shave. "The next new car is the GT2. Recently, I was at the Nürburgring during Industry Week to make the final tests. It is always important to have a good laptime to tell the people - because that's what they always want to know - how quick is it around Nordschleife. Then they know if it is fast enough. All the test drivers were there, all the buddies, from Mercedes, BMW, Audi. Everybody knows the score: these guys are so fast that you don't have problems. I did my fast lap at 7m29s, the fastest lap a standard car has ever done, and I passed 11 cars. There was an Audi A3, and he was not watching his mirrors, and I passed him at 310 kph on Tiergarten, and he went sideways. It was so close! After that I told Porsche: It's finished with these fast cars, you cannot do this any more. Either you have a closed road or forget it, it's too dangerous now."
About developing the GT3/RS and it's performance
"With standard cars like the GT3 it's always the small changes that make the difference. Normal people never reach this level of driving. But we are really trying to make the car driveable, 100 per cent. If I go, say 8m02s at Nürburgring, the car seems perfect. But if I go 7m59s, the same car seems loose."
"If you go 90% the 997 GT3 and the GT3 RS are equal. At 100% the RS is quieter in the corners. That's because of the wing and the track is a little bit wider. The GT3 is really comfortable for such a car, not like the 964 RS, and so smooth over the bumps."
About the 997 TT
"It's fantastic! You have comfort and the power of a racing car. But maybe it's a sign I'm getting old. If I'm going away with my wife maybe we have a discussion of which car to use, we take this one because it's got air-conditioning and it's quieter - not so hot. I don't have electrical seats or a back wiper, just to save a bit of weight."
About his 964 RS and the secret of fast cars
"It weighs 1,150 kg, which is fantastic. You feel it on braking, on turning in - the secret of fast cars is low weight."
About the engine of his (sold) 3.2 Carrera
"The 3.2 litre engine is the best that Porsche ever made, in my opinion."
About his car affection
"I'm completely crazy about cars, and I really look after them. Even though I'm a rallye driver and I take cars over great big rocks and holes in the ground, on the road with my own car I even avoid small stones!"
