911 NATION

EVENTS | Rolex 24 at Daytona

GIANCARLO — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:52:38 +0000

UPCOMING EVENT: Rolex 24 at Daytona | Saturday, January 28, 2012 – Sunday, January 29, 2012

911Citizens, do not miss this event! This year three 911nation drivers (myself included) are confirmed for this event. This racing event is gearing up to be one for the books, as Porsche celebrates it’s 50th year at Daytona and as the most winning Marque of the Rolex 24, Porsche will be the official car of the 24-hour race. we are exstatic that Porsche Cars North America announced the return of the two-day customer hospitality program at the Rolex 24 at Daytona.

If you are interested in attending, then allow us to recommend the full Porsche Motorsports lifestyle experience….purchase your tickets for the Official Porsche Hospitality package directly from Porsche’s official microsite. There is still time, if you purchase today online, a Porsche Event Marketing Specialist will drop off your package at will-call. And for those of you interested in joining 911drivers and other 911citizens, we’ll be at the Porsche Hospitality Tent! Just drop us a line at contact@911nation.com and let’s do this thing! If you are watching it from home, then check out the TV Broadcast schedule for SPEED Channel below:

EVENT DETAILS
GRAND-AM Rolex Series – Daytona 24 Hours
Start: Saturday, January 28 at 3:30 PM ET
Circuit: Daytona International Speedway
Location: Daytona Beach, Fla.Duration: 24 hours

TV BROADCAST
Part 1: Saturday, January 28 – 2:30 PM ET, SPEED
Overnight: Saturday, January 28 – 10:00 PM ET, SPEED.COM
Part 2: Sunday, January 29, 9:00 AM ET, SPEED

The official Pace Car:

For more details here’s all you need:

Daytona International Speedway Official Website for the 50th Anniversary of Rolex 24 at Daytona

Porsche’s Official spiel on the 24hrs of Daytona, Brief Historical Background and All

Get the Timing & Scoring scoop from Grand-Am

Watch Rolex 24 of SPEED Channel

MRN Radio Broadcast of Rolex 24

Race Day Map:

[Source: Porsche]

EVENTS | PCA Social – Porsches on the Bay

GIANCARLO — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:46:32 +0000

Editor’s Note: After a small hiatus, due to a new demanding day job, a new gorgeous baby girl, and a much needed family holiday, your 911nation Driver-In-Chief is back in the saddle! Much has happened in the exciting Porsche world and, as always, we will be touching on those salient topics that 911nation citizens are passionate about, so stay tuned! Below we are playing a bit of catch-up with an Porsche Club of America – Gold Coast Region event that is worthy of mention, as it is Porsche Lifestyle at it’s best!

PAST EVENT: PCA Gold Coast Region Social at Mandarin Oriental | Sunday, November 13, 2011

This is a great social event that takes place on the oceanfront lawn of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Miami. Cythina from PCA Gold Coast Region and her team of volunteers greet you with a welcome “Porsche Rum Punch” and Argentinian-Style Barbeque so you can reach full blown Porsche hedonism. If you missed it this year, then prep your Porsche and get ready for the largest Porsche Social in South Florida come next November! We will be there!

Meet my daughter, a 4th Generation Porsche enthusiast at her first PCA event….I think she picked a helluva starter car! Actually, it is a replica, but who can blame her, she is just getting her feet wet at 5-months-old and in her defense, this is what Pedro from Pedro’s Garage had to say about this replica:

…(the car) is actually a very well executed replica. It has aluminum drum brakes, steel wheels and many date-correct parts and hardware. It’s one of the best-made, most expensive replicas I’ve seen. It’s also been driven it at Sebring on a not-so-hot lap.

Here are some other photos of the event from PedrosBoard Porsche-Focused Forum:

[Photo Credits: danz76 via PedrosBoard.com]

Don’t miss this event next year…become a member of Porsche Club of America – Gold Coast Region, stay up-to-date via their facebook page or you’ll have to read about it on 911nation.com!

If you like this post, then please subscribe by E-mail or RSS reader to be an informed citizen. 911Nation.com is the Ultimate Porsche Lifestyle Blog committed to bringing you curated topics covering news, cars, products, stories, and just about everything else sought by the true Porsche enthusiast. That’s what we do! You can also help support our mission by connecting with us through Facebook. Take the proper precautions when pushing the limits and be safe out there!

EVENTS | Porsche Rennsport Reunion IV

GIANCARLO — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 13:05:18 +0000

Despite a continually troubled economy where most of one’s time should be spent working hard to keep your business afloat or working one (maybe two) jobs to maintain your Porsche(s) in the garage or to maybe get your hands on some of the extremely exciting new models (for the lucky ones), some of our drivers were able to work in a little down time to make the trek to Laguna Seca to take part in this year’s Porsche’s Rennsport Reunion IV. Afterall, all work and no play, makes a Porsche enthusiast dull, which won’t help you win on any race track (hint: metaphor for Life).

Last Rennsport reunion, all of our drivers were able to attend since it was located much closer to home, but this year, we have one 911Nation driver participating, who will be sharing his photo journal of the event. One of the coolest things about the reunion is those cool Porsche posters and the Family Portait that they make every four years to promote the PCNA sponsored event.

And if you have ever wondered how they make those happen with all of those legendary race cars (which are priceless), then search no more…check out the amazing video below:

[Source: Porsche]

911Nation Photo gallery:

*This is how to roll when away from your Porsche. If you don’t keep a Porsche out West, then rent one. This Boxster is a tiptronic, but better than no Boxster (and certainly no Porsche). This way this 911Nation driver can also participate in Parade laps on Laguna Seca…now that’s well worth the rental!

*It’s great to see that the Octoberfest spirit lives strong thousands of miles from Bavaria! The Porsche Biergarten at Rennsport Reunion IV? Woofing down some Bratwurst with Porsche AG reps and fellow PCA members in between events? Man, I’m jealous!

*911Nation driver and PCA PR Region President Franco and his wife make it into the Porsche Rennsport Reunion event Program….now that’s legit!!

For more info on this legendary event that happens every four years (and almost didn’t happen this year) check out these links:

PORSCHE :: http://www.porsche.com/usa/rennsport-reunion-iv/

MAZDA RACEWAY LAGUNA SECA :: http://www.mazdaraceway.com/

If you like this post, then please subscribe by E-mail or RSS reader to be an informed citizen. 911Nation.com is the Ultimate Porsche Lifestyle Blog committed to bringing you the relevant news, cars, products, stories, and just about everything else sought by the true Porsche enthusiast. That’s what we do! You can also help support our mission by connecting with us through Facebook. Take the proper precautions when pushing the limits and be safe out there!

INTERVIEW | SCCA’s Pirelli World Challenge Car Owner Charles Morgan

GIANCARLO — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 23:30:22 +0000

Editor’s Note: We are very happy to present this exciting interview with Charles Morgan, Co-Founder of TruSpeed Motorcars, a premier source for air-cooled Porsches in the United States; and Co-Owner, along with his son Rob Morgan, of the #45 PrivacyStar Porsche and the #46 Entrust/TruSpeed Porsche racing in the Pirelli World Challenge Series. It’s an exciting series and we recommend it to our citizens interested in Motorsports, see the video at end of this post and find out why. Both he and his son race their cars alongside team member and official Porsche Factory Driver Patrick Long (#45 PrivacyStar Porsche). Success has not been elusive to the 67-year-old racing enthusiast. Charles graduated from the University of Arkansas with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and has always had a passion for designing, building and racing automobiles and motorcycles. Professionally, he was the Company Leader (CEO) of Little Rock-based Acxiom Corporation. He is also an active pilot in Falcon and Citation jets. Most important of all he and his son Rob share with all of us true Porsche Passion! We hope you enjoy!

Question #1

911Nation: Hello Mr. Morgan, thank you for your taking the time for this interview. 911nation.com is a lifestyle blog focused on everything Porsche, so most of our questions will deal with your thoughts and experience with Porsche, your vast Motorsports experience and the Motorsports lifestyle to share this important aspect of Porsche experience that makes for exhilarating moments.

To start off, we would like to get down to the brass tacks! You have over 30 years of experience in the automotive & motorsport industry; and you have driven in almost 300 road courses in almost every type of modern road racing series, why Porsche?

CM: Porsche is world renowned for being successful in racing, and even though I have only recently started racing Porsche in the past few years, I have always been very impressed with their reliability and consistent performance. We have chosen to align ourselves with Porsche primarily for selling, servicing, and racing of the vehicles.

Porsche has a great track record of success in many different categories of racing and allows for drivers to be anywhere from amateur to experienced to the highest level in racing. In professional racing, we can race Porsche in the World Challenge and then race the same car in the Pirelli Cup. It’s great because we can translate this professional experience and expertise directly to customers who are driving in amateur and lower level racing venues.

Porsche has a raw amicability. You can find the cars anytime there is a road race going on whether it is all professionals weekend or amateur weekend. Due to their extreme reliability, they are one of the lowest cost racing experiences for such a high performance car.

Question #2

911Nation: As you may imagine, many of our readers, myself included, can remember the first time they confronted Porsche. My first Porsche memory takes me back to early childhood where I recall sitting in the back of my father’s red 1968 911 L Targa with black leather interiors, as if waiting to hit the road. Can you share with us your first Porsche experience?

CM: My first Porsche experience is kind of a funny story that I do not share frequently. It was a short experience that occurred in Texas in the early 1980s where I was racing in a non-Porsche. I got to talking with some people that I know who at the time had a brand new Porsche – new engine and everything. When I mentioned to them that I had never been in a Porsche they offered me with the chance to do a couple of laps in the new car.

I did two laps and then stopped because the engine did not sound right. It turned out that the engine was a piece of junk as it had eaten its own bearings and was minutes away from exploding. It was a modified streetcar made for racing and it did not even have 10 laps. Despite the fact that Porsche is the most reliable racing car in the world, I managed to blow up the engine on my first racing experience!

Question #3

911Nation: There is no denying that with Porsche, the bloodlines run deep. Even 60+ years later (and despite some unfortunate feuding), the Porsche Brand evokes a strong sense of camaraderie amongst fellow enthusiasts, but especially between father and son. This is the case in my family, where my two brothers and I share a great passion for Porsche and Motorsport with our father, as my father and grandfather did before us. What can you tell us of your experience with your son Rob and how both of you have connected through automobiles and Motorsport?

CM: Rob always wanted to race and I was happy that he did. In those days, it was hard to get a racing license before the age of 16 or even 18, but despite the law, I would not allow Rob to actually race until he was 18 so that he could have a normal childhood. Once he hit age 18, I used racing as an incentive and told him that if he did not finish college, his sponsorship would dry up. During Rob’s college years, he did race on weekends and over the summer and that enabled him and I to spend a lot of time together. Back then, I saw that he had plenty of talent and definitely enough to be a successful driver. When he finished college he was offered a paying job to drive in a Ferrari, and at the last minute his co-driver was unable to drive in the long distance race so I was able to stand in and we were able to race together.

Rob’s interest in racing gave us a chance to spend a lot of time together. When the kids were growing up, I had a lot of business obligations and our shared interest in racing gave me plenty of time to spend with Rob, so that we could really get to know one another. My daughter, Caroline, also went to racing school, but decided it was not for her so racing has always been something we have done as a family both when the kids were growing up and to this day.

It is amazing because Rob and I can spend an entire weekend in a motorhome and not have a fight, but I am not saying that we always get along – we are family. We have developed such a strong relationship through racing – he respects my input and knowledge on racing and I respect his driving talents.

Question #4

911Nation: Being anything, but new to racing, team ownership and race-day strategy, what drove you to form yet another team to compete in the Pirelli World Challenge Championship Series? Can you tell us a little about the process leading up to the team’s launch? What kind of legwork did you and your son Rob Morgan do prior to launching the team, preparing the cars, securing sponsorship and signing Patrick Long? All of which put your teams in a great position to compete for the Championship?

CM: TruSpeed has been in the business of selling Porsche and when we moved into a new facility a couple of years ago we wanted to get into Porsche racing to compliment it as a way to promote the business and also to get more into the business of racing. The first thing we had to do was decide the series.

We initially looked at doing a lower level series like Patron. I actually raced in the Patron series and Rob ran a race or two in the World Challenge Series. After looking into the different operations we decided on the Pirelli World Challenge. Our first series was last year where I drove one car and Rob drove the other. Our goal behind doing the races ourselves was to understand the races and to see if we could build a business strategy around this specific type of racing.

After spending our first year with the series, we decided that we wanted to make a serious effort with the Pirelli World Challenge. The next thing we had to do was to figure out who was going to do the driving. I definitely wanted to do some of the driving, but did not want to do an entire season. We decided we needed to hire one professional driver and that Rob could drive the second car. We talked about a lot of different drivers and threw a lot of really good names around. We considered Kelly Collins who drove the PrivacyStar car at the Miller Motorsports Park in Utah because Patrick was in Europe.

Rob said to me “don’t think I am crazy, but what if we went after Patrick Long?” I thought sure why not, but did not imagine that he would do it for any reasonable amount of money because he is one of the best. We know a couple of people who know Patrick and we decided to give him a call to feel it out and see if he would be interested. When Rob talked to him, he said that he had been looking for a series where he could be a solo driver and showcase his talents. After many conversations with Porsche Germany and US, they agreed to let him run the World Challenge as long as he could maintain his prior commitments, which are huge. He went across the Atlantic 38 times last year and raced 220 days. Patrick is a great person, smart and really nice to work with.

Question #5

911Nation: Your #45 PrivacyStar and #46 Entrust/TrueSpeed team’s had successful runs in the series last few races, with a 5th and 6th finish at Long Beach and a big victory at the series opener in St. Petersburg. What went down at Miller Motorsports Park outside Salt Lake City, Utah? Can you share any race day strategies with our readers? For example, we know for at Miller, Patrick Long did not race and that you took the helms of your #46 Entrust car, how, if at all, does the race-day strategy change to account for the new driver Kelly Collins and his driving style and your own?

CM: During the race at Miller Motorsports Park, Kelly was in the PrivacyStar car and I drove the Entrust car. Kelly has not spent much time in a Porsche and he had to carry Patrick’s reward weight – 145 pounds over weight. With my old age, I am not very fast to begin with so we did the damn best we could under adverse conditions. The long straight aways at Miller Motorsport Park are not ideal for racing Porsche, better tracks are at Tampa and Long Beach, but our car and drivers are doing their best to get up to speed. We did our damn best and, like always, we hold our heads high!

Question #6

911Nation: TruSpeed was founded in 2001 by you and your son Rob, from where you sell street and race ready Porsche’s of all kinds (even collectibles). In 2009, TruSpeed moved into a new 28,000 SF facility where you keep a significant inventory. We know they are probably all special and worthy in their own way, but which one of TruSpeed’s current Porsche inventory is the best deal on earth? Please explain why..

CM: TruSpeed has had many unique and wonderful cars over the last 10 years from Jerry Seinfeld’s 1997 Turbo S to a 2010 Ruf CTR3. I would say the best deal we have today would be on one of our Vintage Speedsters. These cars are a lot of fun and a lot of look for the money! The cars can be purchased new in the upper $20′s, and a person can build their own car to spec, just like ordering a new car. Not to mention, you get the new car smell when you get inside! The authentic Porsche Speedsters can cost over $200k for a nicely restored car. A car needing restoration will still cost you over $100k. What is nice about the Vintage Speedster is you can still have the look of the original car and the fun of driving the original car for a fraction of the cost. Not to mention, the Vintage Speedster will driver better and stop better. You will not worry about parking this car in a crowded parking lot either! I know it is not a 911, but it is still a great car for the money and it falls in line with the Porsche Heritage.

[Show as slideshow]

[View with PicLens]

Question #7

911Nation: Our most popular post, entitled “Stories | Do-It-Yourself Porsche?” features the artwork by artist Hannes Langeder that recreated his own version of the GT3 RS using tape, plastic pipes, aluminum foil and bicycle wheels. Having designed, built and raced your own automobiles, what insight can you share about Porsche engineering & construction?

CM: I can share a fair amount of insight about Porsche engineering and construction because I have done a lot of race engineering as a mechanical engineer. I am pretty confident in saying that Porsche has built some of the most refined racecars that have ever existed on the planet. In terms of price performance they have refined and relined the basic 911 package. The car has good handling and all the components and pieces you have to have for a successful racecar – it is predictable and it stops very well. Last but not at all least, you do not spend all your time fixing the car. Porsche has great attention to detail and if they find something that is unreliable, they make it reliable. We drive them hard and harder and they still do not break. In my early days running the long distance races, there would be 75 cars at the start and 20 of them would be Porsche, at the end of the race there would be 35 cars still running and half of them would be Porsche. These cars just do not have any big weakness – the German engineering has continued to breed Porsche as an extraordinary racecar. The early cars did not handle as well, but the modern cars GT3 variety are fine handling cars and do not have any “bad habits” as we drivers say.

Question #8

911Nation: In the same post, we discuss the artist’s tongue-in-cheek eco-friendly message. That said, Porsche seems to have reinvented itself and it’s strategy by forging ahead and pushing hybrid technology to the cutting edge? What are your thoughts about Porsche’s recent advances in Hybrid technology? And how do you think it’s impacting (and/or will impact) Motorsport?

CM: I think this eco-friendly question pertains to all motorsport even outside of Porsche. Every automotive manufacturer from Bentley to Porsche has built a hybrid racecar and they have even been given permission to race them in some venues. The handwriting is on the wall, there will be hybrid or some kind of green vehicles racing, but I do not think that anyone has a clear vision of how to make these racecars in the most practical way. If it’s going to perform well and really be green, it could be very costly. I do not think the eco-friendly path is very well defined yet, but ultimately I think we are looking at having a gas/electric hybrid for racecars. I do think that racing will be impacted by green and I think we will see more green racecars in the near future. I did not even realize until today that some of the large luxury carmakers are building prototype electric cars for their entire lines. It is going to happen, but then question is when and in what format.

Question #9

911Nation: We have heard accounts that Porsche AG is holding back from introducing the mid-engine Cayman into Motorsport, possibly for fear of challenging the dominance of the legendary 911. Do you have any support from Porsche for your GT3 Cup cars? If so, what kind of support does Porsche AG provide your team? Also, would you ever form a team to race the Cayman?

CM: We would probably not participate in any other series than the World Challenge. If the Cayman was allowed to participate in the series, we would probably race it, but I do not have any knowledge into the plans that Porsche has for the car. Porsche has definitely given us moral support, but not in the engineering or financial sense.

Question #10

911Nation: We would like to conclude with a question that will encourage our readers to enjoy their rides. 911nation citizens are extremely fond of their daily drives through city streets, weekend drives on backcountry roads, and driving vacations across the USA and Europe, where they get to stretch out their Porsche’s legs (when not on the track). What are your favorite driving roads in the USA and/or Europe? Please explain why..

CM: I do not have a favorite in Europe, but my favorite driving road in the US is definitely highway 23 North of Ozark, Arkansas and intersects at highway 16. This particular road goes through the Ozark National Forrest, up several mountains and then through a couple different varieties of road. The drive takes you through Huntsville and ends up Bidville, Arkansas. The ride itself is very exiting with overhanging trees, twists up and down the mountains, some long straight sections and even some places that are a complete tree canopy over the highway.

Gallery

[Show as slideshow]

[View with PicLens]

Videos

If you like this post, then please subscribe by E-mail or RSS reader to be an informed citizen. 911Nation.com is the Ultimate Porsche Lifestyle Blog committed to bringing you the latest news, cars, products, stories, and just about everything else sought by the true Porsche enthusiast. That’s what we do! You can also help support our mission by connecting with us through Facebook. Take the proper precautions when pushing the limits and be safe out there!

MOTORSPORT | Porsche’s Victory in Ohio: Celebrate or Cry?

IVAR — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 18:45:37 +0000

Good job for Wolf Henzler winning this year’s first race for Porsche in the ALMS series. He sliced thru the field from 5th to 1st in one lap after a re-start. First victory ever for the Falken Tire GT3RS. That speaks very well for Wolf Henzler and his driving ability in the wet, but it still raises questions for Porsche. Porsche has been unable to win at all this year in the ALMS. The Flying Lizards no 45 Porsche was languishing in ninth after problems during the race. The race was led mostly by Corvette until the rain created the window for Henzler to skillfully upstart everyone. But the race was between Corvette and BMW until the rain, just like every other race this year. Henzler’s amazing feat does not remove the fact that this year the GT3RS has not been qualifying well and it simply has not been able to beat BMW nor Corvette, except for the rain conditions at Mid-Ohio this past weekend.

Porsche needs to do something special for 2012 because the competition has caught up and actually has been beating them consistently last year and this year. They need to get into a position to again grab pole positions regularly in qualifying and to get back to being the car to beat. This year, the car to beat has been a Rahal-Letterman BMW M3!! And their challenger has been Corvette, NOT Porsche.

Not only are BMW and Corvette consistently qualifying ahead of Porsche and winning or finishing ahead of us, but the Ferraris are also doing better in most races. If Porsche does not improve in 2012, it would be a third straight year of languishing as fourth best in its class. Something better happen soon or Porsche’s reputation in GT will be losing a lot of luster!

Porsche, read my lips – Wolf Henzler’s great achievement in the rain in Ohio does not release the pressure on you. As an unwavering, loyal, lifelong, and committed fan of the brand I pray for, I dream of, I plead for and I DEMAND better competitivity in 2012! Here’s to getting back to Porsche’s usual winning ways again! Let’s beat those guys consistently again beginning next year!

[Show as slideshow]

[View with PicLens]

SAFETY | Parade Pile-Up started by Cayman S Driver

FRANCO — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 21:54:08 +0000

EDITOR’S NOTE: This post was the first post sumbitted by our new 911Nation driver, Franco. Â He also happens to be President of PCA Puetro Rico Region. Â Check out his profile here.

Since many of 911Nation citizens are also members of Porsche Club of America and frequent many driving and motorsports events around the world we thought it prudent to remind ourselves that it pays to be alert around fine German machinery and other exotics. Â In the case of the video below, during an exciting parade of exotics, a perfectly fine Porsche Cayman S was helmed by a not-so-alert driver and left a serious dent on those delicate Italian exotics (& the ego’s) which don’t handle drama in the same way as German exotics. Â That said, this kind of negligence makes Porsche drivers look bad, especially when it’s those other exotics that attract irresponsible driversÂ desperateÂ for attention. Â So if you have been waiting to sign up for a kick-butt session of Porsche Driving School, then wait no longer and sign up now and represent the nation with honor and dignity. Â We are sure it will come in very handy during this year’s upcoming 2011 Porsche Parade in Savannah, Georgia.

See the video for yourself and remember that when you drive a Porsche, you are representing the entire 911 Nation, so be alert out there!

[Source: YouTube via Autoblog]

VIDEO | Porsche Driveway or Raceway?

GIANCARLO — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 22:31:19 +0000

EDITOR’S NOTE: After a brief editorial hiatus we are back in the driver’s seat to present this rad video shared with us by one of our loyal citizens. Â In the video below, you will see what pretty much every Porsche driver wish they had at their doorstep….a racetrack driveway! Â While we are utterly envious of the driver/owner and hisÂ exhilaratingÂ hot lap around the estate…I fear for that poor family pet and/or any unsuspecting significant others! Â Have we found the cure for stress reliefÂ after an overwhelming family dinner with the in-laws? Perhaps…

[Source: DPC Cars via Autoblog]

FEATURE | Ruf RGT-8

GIANCARLO — Mon, 16 May 2011 22:48:43 +0000

EDITOR’S NOTE: We are excited to present this guest post by Ryan Konko, Senior Motoring Editor at MotoringExposure.com. He is a passionate Porsche and 911 enthusiast, with his favorite being the 1973 911 Carrera RS. If you enjoy aftermarket car tuning and luxury timepieces, be sure to catch Ryan Konko at MotoringExposure.com.

Post By: Ryan Konko

Ruf Automobile has enjoyed a rich history filled with numerous engineering accomplishments. The German automobile manufacturer has taken great pride in developing innovative equipment and machines that offer thrilling performance and everyday reliability. Ruf’s RGT models have showcased this innovation along with a dedication to the pure driver-oriented sport of the classic 1973 911 Carrera RS. The latest model in the RGT line takes this philosophy to a completely new level of performance and engineering with a true drivers chassis and a motorsport-inspired V-8.

Meet the Ruf RGT-8, the third model in Ruf’s RGT line. While the past two RGT models utilized modified flat-six engines from Porsche, the new RGT-8 uses an entirely new V-8 engine developed in-house by Ruf. The new V-8 is a showcase of the technological and engineering skill held by Ruf Automobile and their engineers. Even for large automotive companies, developing a new engine can be an expensive and lengthy task. Companies spend millions and sometimes billions of dollars to design and develop engines, making this new engine from Ruf an engineering feat.

The Ruf eight-cylinder engine was developed from a blank slate with the goal of building a naturally aspirated engine with exceptional performance. To accomplish this goal, Alois Ruf requested longtime friend, Reinhard Könneker, head the project. As an expert engineer and engine builder, Könneker has worked on numerous Formula 1, DTM, and Group C engine projects. Könneker also worked alongside Hans Mezger, the former Head of the Motorsports Department at Porsche, where he was able to gain valuable engine building experience.

During the development of the Ruf eight-cylinder, both weight and compactness were stressed. Weighing in at less than 200 kg (440 lbs.), the 4.5-liter V-8 utilizes a 180-degree Flatcrank crankshaft. By using a flat-plane crankshaft, Könneker and his team were able to produce an engine that can rev faster and higher than a traditional cross-plane crankshaft. The aluminum engine features four camshafts and four-valves per cylinder arranged spherically for an optimum air/fuel mixture. Instead of using belts, the engine accessories are driven directly by the engine and positioned at the lowest possible point to achieve the best possible center of gravity. To ensure proper lubrication during high G-forces, Ruf also designed a dry-sump lubrication system with two windage trays for the V-8.

The result of the meticulous development was a high-revving V-8 that produces a racecar-like ecstasy for the street. A total of 550 brake horsepower (404 kW) is produced at 8,500 RPM and 369 lb-ft. (500 Nm) of torque at 5,400 RPM from the motorsport-derived V-8. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual transmission with shortened gearshift movements.

Putting all 550 horses to the pavement is a set of 19-inch center-locking Ruf forged alloy wheels that measure 9J x 19 up front and a wide 12J x 19 at the rear. At the front axle, Ruf has fitted 245/35 ZR19 Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires for optimum grip, while the rear sports a pair of 325/30 ZR19 tires. Behind the five-spoke forged wheels is a carbon ceramic brake system with perforated and air-cooled 380 mm front and 350 mm rear brake discs for fade-free stopping power.

While the in-house V-8 is an engineering feat for Ruf, it does not steal the show. The basis for the RGT-8 is a Porsche 911 that Ruf has modified for performance. The standard RGT-8 comes equipped with an integrated roll cage and two bucket seats for safety and stability. To shed weight, the doors and front fenders have been replaced with aluminum components. Downforce is created by a carbon fiber rear spoiler. Ruf also offers a special Frère Package inspired by the late Belgian racecar driver Paul Frère and his 550 Coupe that helped him win best in class in the 1953 24 Hours of Le Mans. The optional package consists of redesigned front fenders, front bumper, and dashboard equipment.

The Ruf RGT-8 is a shining example of the engineering and innovation philosophy of Ruf Automobile. Although it may not be the most powerful or fastest Porsche Ruf Automobile has built, it showcases what the German manufacturer is capable of.

Photo Gallery of Ruf RGT-8 at 2011 Geneva Motorshow:

[Show as slideshow]

[View with PicLens]

[Source: Autoblog]

Video Interview with Alois & Estonia Ruf RGT-8:

[Source: GTBoard.com]

Ruf RGT-8 Specifications:

Engine:
—————————-
Lightweight-8-Cylinder-90°-engine with racing DNA
180° crankshaft â€œFlatcrankâ€
4.5 Liter displacement
Maximum Horsepower: 404 kW (550 bhp) at 8500rpm
Maximum Torque: 500 Nm (369 lb-ft) at 5400rpm
Aluminum crankcase and cylinder heads
Water cooled, cylinder heads and engine block cross flowed
4-valve system with spherical layout
4 camshafts with hydraulically timed valve system for in- and outlet
Hydraulic valve tappets
Dry sump oil lubrication with two windage trays for each of the 4 chambers
Individual chamber oil suction with 2 suction intakes
Waterpump, generator, and AC compressor are directly driven of the Engine (no belts), located at the lowest position
Sequential fuel injection system
Individual cylinder ignition coils
Electronic engine management system
Electronic throttle control system per bank with 2 butterflies
Three-Way catalytic converters with stereo closed loop lambda control
On-Board-Diagnosis for continuous monitoring of the exhaust system

Transmission:
—————————-
Type: Six-speed manual
Drive: Rear-wheel

Chassis:
—————————-
Electronic stability control system
ABS
Traction control
Automatic limited-slip differential

Wheels, Tires, and Brakes:
—————————-
Wheels: Forged RUF alloy wheels with single central retaining nut
Front Wheels: 9J x 19
Rear Wheels: 12J x 19
Tires: Michelin Pilot Sport Cup
Front Tires: 245/35 ZR 19
Rear Tires: 325/30 ZR 19
Brakes: RUF high-performance brakes with ceramic discs, perforated and air-cooled
Front Discs: 380 mm
Rear Discs: 350 mm

Body:
—————————-
2 seated coupé with integrated roll-cage
2 racing type bucket seats
Aluminum doors and front hood
Carbon fiber engine cover and rear spoiler

[Source: RUF Automobile GmbH]

If you like this post, then please subscribe by E-mail or RSS reader to stay connected and gain access to much more. Â 911 Nation is the Ultimate Porsche Lifestyle Blog committed to bringing you the latest news, cars, products, stories, and just about everything else sought by the true Porsche enthusiast.Â Â Thatâ€™s what we do! Â You can also help support our mission by connecting with us through Facebook.Â Take the proper precautions when pushing the limits and be safe out there!

FEATURE | Ruf Rt 12 R

GIANCARLO — Tue, 10 May 2011 00:09:13 +0000

Editor’s Note: Alas, here is the first of many more exciting Ruf post’s. Now, before I go down to deep the Ruf rabbit hole (and it goes very deep since I have gulped the Ruf KoolAid), I do want to disclose that even though they are an official sponsor of 911Nation, this is not a sponsored post, nor have we agreed to doing anything other than remain true to this Nation’s voice and its independent agenda. That said, we do want to show great appreciation for sponsorship and association with 911Nation, but rest assured, we would never post anything unworthy of our readers precious attention.

Alois Ruf and his amazing team have done it yet again! He has rocked the automotive world, Ruf and Porsche enthusiasts alike with the introduction of yet another astonishingly powerful Ruf model based on the Porsche 997 Twin-Turbo. It was unveiled at the recent 2011 Geneva Motor Show (March 2011) alongside a heart-stopping red Ruf CTR3 (which will be featured in a separate post so stay tuned) and in a signature Ruf paint job, which he probably sprayed on himself. And by the way, I am not joking, I have seen Alois Ruf himself, in his shop in Pfaffenhausen, fully geared up in white overalls, face-mask and eye protection, painting a newly restored 901 model Porsche in a vintage blue color (which was researched to the nth degree to achieve total authenticity). So it wouldn’t surprise me if he had a serious hand in this paint job as well. Being a maestro of color, there is no doubting that their is bold ideas behind Alois Ruf’s color schemes. In the case of the Ruf Rt 12 R, it actually pays homage to it’s German heritage by wearing a brash color scheme replicating the German tri-color flag. Â As if that weren’t enough of an homage, the Ruf Rt12 R can boast an incredible 730 hp version of the liquid-cooled boxer six and is available in both rear wheel and all wheel drive, with Ruf’s integrated roll cage and a ceramic brake system as standard features! Now that some real show of R-E-S-P-E-C-T RESPECT! Ready for a test drive!? Check out this video by Option Auto, when this Frenchie test driver’s breath is brought to a halt when those twin turbo’s break 200 mph during his test drive on a traffic ridden autobahn!

Ruf Rt 12 R Test Drive:

Ruf Rt 12 R Gallery:

[Show as slideshow]

[View with PicLens]

[Source: Autoblog]

Official Press Release:

RUF presents the new Rt 12 R

RUF proudly presents the all new Rt 12 R at the 2011 Geneva International Motorshow (3rd to 13th March). The 3.8 litre bi-turbo boxer engine delivers 537 kW (730 bhp) of power with a maximum torque figure of 940 Nm. A six speed gearbox deals with the power transmission and the 4WD system ensures optimal traction under all driving conditions. The lightweight R using design details originating from motor racing is an optimal choice of vehicle for the race track. The suspension is also adjustable.

Technical details:
Coupé form
Carbon-Fibre rear spoiler
Lightweight front with carbon fibre wings
Carbon fibre front luggage cover
Optional carbon roof
Aluminium doors with lightweight interior fittings
Synthetic side and rear windows
Carbon bucket seats
Rollcage and crossbar integrated into the interior paneling (IRC)
Ceramic brakes, disc diameter 380 mm front, 350 mm rear
Forged aluminium wheels with central locking nut, 9J x 19 front, 12J x 19 rear
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tyres, 245/35 ZR 19 front, 325/30 ZR 19 rear

6 cylinder bi-turbo boxer engine
Displacement 3.8 l
Maximum power 537 kW (730 bhp) at 7,000 rpm
Maximum torque 940 Nm at 3,500 rpm
6 speed manual gearbox
4WD standard, rear while drive only available as option
Top speed over 370 km/h
Dry weight (DIN) 1,495 kg

Price: 279,000.00 Euro (excl. VAT)

If you like this post, then please subscribe by E-mail or RSS reader to be an informed citizen. 911Nation is the Ultimate Porsche Lifestyle Blog committed to bringing you the latest news, cars, products, stories, and just about everything else sought by the true Porsche enthusiast. That’s what we do! You can also help support our mission by connecting with us through Facebook. Take the proper precautions when pushing the limits and be safe out there!

ANNOUNCEMENT | Meet Our New Sponsor, Ruf Automobile!

GIANCARLO — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 00:55:01 +0000

Letter from the Driver-In-Chief

Dear 911Nation Citizens,

We are very excited to introduce you to Ruf Automobile, our first official sponsor!

Since late 2009, we have been driving hard to bring you worthwhile Porsche news, cars reviews, stories, products and just about everything else sought out by the true Porsche enthusiast. Â We did not discriminate….some of you are Porsche owners and others are not, but the love and admiration for the brand and everything that it represents runs deep through all ranks. Â We are all citizens of one nation with a shared passion for excellence and 911Nation strives to serve all.

That said, we cannot begin to express how excited we are to introduce you to Ruf Automobile. Â This is a huge milestone for this great nation and as a show of gratitude we have dressed up the face of the nation with a new “Ruf’ed” header and touches of Ruf’s signature green color. Â These days, the word “green” takes on a different meaning and with the introduction of the eRuf, Ruf Automobile lives up to it well beyond just its corporate graphics.

For those of you who are not familiar with Ruf Automobile, theÂ relationshipÂ between Ruf and Porsche is uniquely symbiotic….Porsche inspires Ruf and Ruf inspires Porsche. Â Based in Pfaffenhausen Germany (a small town I have had the pleasure of visiting numerous times), and amongst some of the best country roads on earth (which they use as their testing grounds) this car manufacturer is world renownÂ among the most elite automobile aficionados. Â Alois Ruf, the man behind the name and the autos, is amongst the most talented, charming and passionate humans on Earth. Â I encourage you all to learn more about Ruf and even schedule a visit to Ruf Autohaus….I promise it will not disappoint! Read their history below to learn more about this amazing company and their sensational autos. Â You can also start by reading one of our previous posts about Ruf’s most famous record-breaking automobile: “THE RUF CTR | Crossing the 200mph Barrierâ€¦Again and Again”.

Look for upcoming interviews with Alois Ruf himself as well as feature posts profiling the eRuf and many other very exciting Ruf models (there are rumors that even the Porsche family drives them).

Take the proper precautions when pushing the limits and be safe out there!

Sincerely,

GIANCARLO PIETRI

Driver-In-Chief

History of Ruf Automobile

For more than 70 years, the name RUF has been associated with automotive performance expertise. RUF is renowned for their skills as an automobile manufacturer and performance tuner of Porsche automobiles. Â In 1939, Alois Ruf Senior founded the company “AUTO-RUF” as a general service garage in Pfaffenhausen, Germany. In the 1960s, the company gained invaluable experience in servicing and restoring Porsches.

The first RUF enhanced Porsche model made its debut in 1975. Two years later, a turbo charged 911 engine was enlarged to 3.3 liters by RUF. This was accomplished through the use of larger pistons and resulted in a distinct performance increase, from 260 bhpÂ to 303 bhp. The engine output was transmitted to the rear axle by a prototype of the RUF five-speed transmission. This became the first step in product development that has become the backbone of RUF production and reputation.

As RUFâ€™s reputation for performance grew, so did orders for performance upgrades. In responding to growing customers demands, RUF introduced their own five-speed transmission in 1981. This same year, RUF received the coveted Manufacturers Certification from the German government. This certification gives RUF the distinction of now being a manufacturer, not merely a tuner, a distinction that separates RUF Automobile from its competitors.

The companyâ€™s first car, representing the culmination of RUF engineering advancements for the 911, was introduced in 1983, the RUF BTR. This model, with a 3.4 liter turbo engine producing 374 bhp and a five speed transmission, was available in either a narrow body or turbo body configuration.

The RUF CTR high-speed sports car received its certification for normal road use in 1987. The infamous â€œYellowbirdâ€, a 469 bhp twin turbo coupÃ©, exceeded the top speed world record for production cars on the Nardo racetrack at 342 km/h. That same year, RUF Automobile GmbH became an approved manufacturer by the US government for both safety and emissions (EPA and DOT).

Product development continued and the CTR and BTR became available with a six speed RUF transmission. RUF introduced available 18â€ inch wheels in 1991. In 1996, the new CTR2Â was introduced with 3.6 liter engine producing 520bhp and achieved a top speed of 340km/h. The CTR2 also included the IRC, or integrated roll cage adding additional safety and structural rigidty.

With the introduction of the water-cooled 996 and Boxster model came new prospects for RUF products. The RUF 3400 S, unveiled at the 1999 Essen Motor Show, enhanced the power available to the Boxster line. The 3400 S has a power output of 310 bhp.

In 2004, the RUF RGT with 395 bhp was introduced. Created for the American market, the RGT revived the philosophy and essence of the 911 Carrera from 1973: A light weight construction along with a naturally aspirated engine. The rear spoiler design of the sporty RGT stylistically follows the fashion of â€œduck tailâ€ of 1973.

At the Essen Motor Show in November 2004, RUF presented the RUF Rt 12. This RUF turbo is based on the 997 Carrera, with a 650 bhp 3.8 liter twin turbo engine.

In 2005 RUF and STUDIOTORINO presented the RUF RK Spyder with a 3.8 liter Kompressor (supercharger) engine with a power output of 420 bhp. The world premiere of the RUF RK CoupÃ© with a STUDIOTORINO chassis and a 440 bhp 3.8 liter Kompressor engine took place in California in 2006.

In 2005 RUF Automobile GmbH became affiliated to the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA).

Introduced in 2007, the RUF CTR 3 features technical highlights like a 700 bhp bi-turbo mid engine mated to sequential shift six-speed gearbox. The mid engine design provides exceptional balance and agile handling, while the longer wheelbase provides better driving stability at high speed. In May 2007, the RUF Rt 12 won readersâ€™ choice in the German â€œsport autoâ€ magazine in the of super sport cars category in front of Bugatti 16.4 Veyron and the Ferrari 599 GTB.

For RUFâ€™s the 25th anniversary as an internationally authorized car manufacturer, RUF built the edition model 3400 K â€“ a Kompressor sports car which is available in two body versions: as CoupÃ© and Roadster.

In 2008 RUF unveiled the first German electric automobile: the eRUF. In March 2009, the next sensational bang followed: the eRUF Roadster. The eRUF Roadster was developed in cooperation with Siemens Corporate Technology. The power output is 270 kW (367 bhp) and offers phenomenal torque of over 900 Nm. Acceleration 0 â€“ 100 km/h is 5 seconds, with a maximum speed is 250 km/h.

The Rt 12 S was introduced in 2009. The Rt 12 S has advanced standard equipment with integrated roll cage and a ceramic brake system. The output of the twin turbo engine was upgraded to 685 bhp â€“ 35 bhp more than the extremely successful Rt 12.Â Ceramic brakes and an integrated roll cage are standard. The Rt 12 S is a super sports automobile intended for everyday use, with an unprecedented maximum speed of 360 km/ and maximum torque of 880 Nm. With the Rt 12 S, RUF managed to bring the performance to perfection.

RUF Automobile,Â at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, shocked the performance community byÂ announcing the next generation of RGT, the RGT-8. This spectacular prototype vehicle is powered by a completely new RUF designed V8 engine with a 180 crankshaft orÂ “Flatcrank”. Four valves arranged spherically together with multipoint fuel injection ensure optimal mixture conditions while the dry-sump oil system supplies the necessary lubrication. The lightweight 4.5 litre V8 engine is a very compact design, and delivers 404kW (550bhp) @ 8500rpm and a maximum torque of 500Nm @ 5400rpm

RUFÂ Automobile GmbH has for nearly five decades specialized in vehicles from Porsche. With the experience gained over the years, RUF has attained a worldwide reputation with the iconicÂ Stuttgart brand second to none. A logical extension of this history was toÂ enter intoÂ a closer relationship between PorscheÂ and RUF.

The Porsche Service Centre in Pfaffenhausen (PSZ) opened it’s doors officially for business on Januray 10th, 2011. TheÂ dedicated PSZÂ facilityÂ will focusÂ on Porsche service and maintenance, the sale of items from Porsche Design Driver’s SelectionÂ andÂ will feature theÂ most modern electronic vehicle diagnostic systems available. Â The service area, with 780Â square meters of floor space,Â is equipped with five hydraulic car lifts as wellÂ the parts department, service bays for electronic testÂ measurements, tire fitting and engine and gearbox maintenance. Â The extensive Porsche experience of the RUF staff ensures professional service not only for the current Porsche range but also for older models covering the entireÂ range of Porsche models.

On March 1, 2011 at the Geneva Motor Show, RUF Automobile introduced the next generation of the Rt series, the Rt 12Â R Coupe. This car proudly announced it’s German heritage wearing a brash color scheme replicating the German tri-color flag. The Rt 12 R can boast an amazing 730hp version of the liquid-cooled boxer six. It is available in both rear wheel drive or all wheel drive, with an standard integrated roll cage and a ceramic brake system.

RUF has made a name for itself, not only as an automobile manufacturer, but also as specialists in vintage car restoration and the rebuilding of classic RUF and Porsche automobiles. Â RUF also carries out service and crash repair. Â RUF Automobile GmbH in Pfaffenhausen currently employs 65 people.

[Source: Ruf Automobile]

Germany Contact:

RUF Automobile GmbH
Mindelheimer StraÃŸe 21
D-87772 Pfaffenhausen
Phone: 0049 (0)82 65/911 911
Fax: 0049 (0)82 65/911 912
Mail: info@ruf-automobile.de

USA Contact:

RUF Auto US
21620 Melrose Avenue
Southfield, Michigan 48075
Phone: 0001 248 304 9091
Fax: 0001 248 304 9092
Website: www.rufauto.us
Mail: info@rufauto.us