Porsche 963 tackles the 24 Hours of Daytona

24/1/2023

The new hybrid 963 prototype has been in development for almost a year, and things are about to get serious for Porsche Penske Motorsport: The "ROAR Before the 24" is the official start of the 2023 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season on January 20. The vehicles are set up during this three-day test at the Daytona International Speedway in Florida, to be eligible for the 24-hour race. On January 28 and 29, the endurance classic will take place there. On this occasion, the brand-new Porsche 911 GT3 R will also be displayed on a global scale. Seven GT3 cars from the 911's 992 generation will compete in the American endurance race.

The two Porsche 963s compete in their debut race in the new GTP class of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship on the final weekend of January after more than 30,000 test kilometres. According to the regulations, at the Florida long-distance classic, the new hybrid prototypes will compete for overall victory. The approximately 500 kW (680 PS) Porsche 963 will compete against competing entries from BMW, Cadillac, and Acura at the World Centre of Racing. Additionally, the newly created Porsche 911 GT3 R celebrates its racing debut.

“We’re very much looking forward to the Daytona season opener,” exclaims Thomas Laudenbach, Vice President of Porsche Motorsport. “With the new Porsche 963, we’re finally back fighting for overall victories in the world’s biggest endurance events. Our Porsche Penske Motorsport squad and our drivers and specialists from the Weissach Development Centre have done absolutely everything to develop the 963 into a fast and reliable prototype. We’re curious to see how the competition will perform at Daytona, not only in the new top GTP class but also in the GTD categories with the new Porsche 911 GT3 R.”

The steeply banked turns at Florida's Daytona International Speedway, which was first raced in 1959, set it apart from other courses. In the oval portions of the 5.73-kilometre racetrack, the slope incline reaches a maximum of 31 degrees. This calls for a unique vehicle configuration. At Daytona, Porsche is by far the most successful manufacturer. The Stuttgart-based automaker has won 80 class victories in addition to its 18 overall victories as a constructor and four victories as an engine partner. Since 1966, the traditional competition has been held on the tri-oval and infield road course. For the 2023 season, the North American racing series features a changed class structure: The Porsche 963 contests the new top GTP category, with the 911 GT3 R competing in the GTD Pro and GTD classes. In addition, vehicles will also tackle the LMP2 and LMP3 categories.

Contact Porsche Centre Dublin at (01) 235 3375  or info@porschedublin.ie