1996 Porsche 911 GT1

When international sports car racing grew in popularity, Porsche realized it would need something more effective than the 911 GT2 Evos. They created a new mid-engine car called the 911 GT1 and gave it a composite and steel-tube chassis. While most of Porsche's competitors had built their race cars from road-going machines, Porsche started with a prototype racer that could be detuned and outfitted with creature comforts making it suitable for street use. The car met FIA's homologation rules and incorporated much of the Type 993's front end. The bulkheads and floorpan were of honeycomb aluminum and composite construction, and carbon-fiber was used for the body. The engine was a flat-6 racing engine with water-cooled cylinders and heads, and the intake system was pressurized by a pair of KKK turbochargers sourced from the GT2. In the front was a double-wishbone racing suspension setup while the rear received a new configuration with double wishbones and push-rod shocks.

The GT1 weighed 1,050 kilograms and developed well over 600 horsepower. Although Porsche engineers considered following in the footsteps of the McLaren F1 GTR which weighed less than 1,000 kilograms, they ultimately concluded that with slightly more weight they could use larger air intakes which would help develop considerably more horsepower. With the mid-engine placement, Porsche's engineers were able to maximize ground effects with a rear diffuser, something a rear-engine layout would not have allowed.

Chassis numbers 001 through 006 were designated for competition while the remaining 22 were streetable. Eight additional customer racing chassis were delivered (numbered 396001–396023), and then for 1998, one more Straßenversion (Street Version) was completed, along with four additional racing cars. Total GT1 production was 41 examples with 18 being race cars and 23 streetcars.

For the following season, Porsche introduced the 911 GT1-97 Evolution. It received numerous chassis and body modifications and complied with the new engine restrictions imposed by the FIA. At Le Mans, the GT1-97 Evos were in the lead before they were forced to retire during the final hours of the race. Customer cars finished 5th and 8th. From 1996 to 2003, factory-entered and privateer 911 GT1s won 47 of 144 races entered.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2020

From 1996 to 1998 the Porsche Factory responded to LeMans rules with a series of 911 based GT1 racecars culminating in their last overall victory in 1998. This first generation GT1 is the ex ROHR Motorsports car, winner of the 1997 IMSA Exxon Supreme GTS-1 Championship. Andy Pilgrim, Jochen Rohr and Alan McNish drove it to four victories in a row, and it has more professional wins then any other GTI.