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Porsche 911 GT1 '98
This 911 GT1 ´98 sportscar represents the third generation of the Gran Turismo concept which began in 1996. On 23 February 1998 Bob Wollek rolls out with the new six-cylinder twin-turbo Porsche for the first time in Weissach.
The GT1 ´98 is the first racing sportscar from Porsche to feature a carbon fibre chassis as a monocoque, which reduces the weight by 100 kgs to 950 kilograms. More rigidity and the possibility of an optimized aerodynamic layout are further advantages of the new materials. The GT1 is 20 centimeters (4.89 metres) longer and five centimetres (1.99 metres) wider, whilst the height is lowered by three centimetres to 1.14 metres. The 100-litre fuel tank is now centrally located between the drivers‘ compartment and engine.
With two KKK turbo-chargers and 33.9 mm air restrictors, the 3.2-litre power unit delivers 550 hp (7,200 rpm). The power is transmitted to the rear axle via a sequential six-speed gearbox.
The suspension functions with double wishbones front and rear. The braking system features eight piston brake calipers at the front and six at the rear axle and 380 mm carbon fibre brake discs.
For the FIA GT 1998 season, Porsche developed an all-new car, the 911 GT1-98. Designed to match the also new Toyota GT-One and the Mercedes-Benz CLK LM, the 911 GT1-98 featured bodywork that bore more of a resemblance to traditional sports-prototypes than the previous two models. A new sequential gearbox was installed to reduce shift time. Engine control also moved to a TAG Electronic Systems TAG 3.8 ECU. As per the regulations, a street-legal version of the 911 GT1-98 was made but it is believed that only one variant was produced which was still sufficient to satisfy the new regulations.
During the 1998 FIA International GT season, the 911 GT1-98 struggled to match the pace of the Mercedes, which also was improved, with the main reason being down to the air-restrictor rules which were regarded as unfavourable to the turbocharged engine (the Mercedes had a naturally aspirated V8 engine). The Michelin tyres of the factory team and especially the Pirelli of the private Zakspeed team were also considered inferior to the Bridgestone tyres of the Mercedes.
At the 1998 Le Mans, however, it was a different story. The BMW V12 LM retired with wheel bearing trouble, and the Mercedes CLK-LM cars had oil pump troubles in the new V8 engines that replaced the former V12. The Toyota GT-One, which was considered to be the fastest car, also suffered gearbox reliability problems.
The 911 GT1-98, despite being slower than the Toyota or the Mercedes, fulfilled Porsche's slim hopes, taking both first and second place overall thanks to reliability, giving Porsche its record-breaking 16th overall win at Le Mans, more than any other manufacturer in history.
At the Petit Le Mans race in Road Atlanta, the 911 GT1-98 of Yannick Dalmas made a spectacular backward flip and landed rear first before hitting the side barriers, similar to what would later happen to a BMW V12 LMR at the same race in 2000, and the Mercedes-Benz CLR at Le Mans in 1999.
The GT1 '98 was set up with higher downforce in the race than the previous two years, which reduced its maximum speed to 310 km/h (193 mph). However, in the 1998 Le Mans 24 Hours test days, the car hit 330 km/h (205 mph) on the Mulsanne Straight on a lower downforce setup.
Technical Specifications
| Engine: | 6-cylinder boxer, water-cooled, aluminium engine block and cylinder heads, 2 intake and 2 discharge valves per cylinder, 2 exhaust gas turbo chargers with air restrictors, 2 charce air intercoolers, dry sump lubrication, electronic engine management (TAG 3.8), fuel injection with Lambda control, cylinder selective knock control |
| Power: | Approx. 550 hp (400 kW) at 7.200 rpm |
| Displacement: | 3.220 cc |
| Fuel system: | 100-litre FT3 safety tank with integrated catchtank, rapid tank valve and reserve switch |
| Transmission: | 6-speed gearbox, sequential gear change, rear wheel drive, triple disc clutch, additional lubrication with oil pump and oil-to-water heat exchanger, self-locking differential |
| Chassis: | Carbon fibre monocoque, adjustable plastic rear wing, air inlet to turbo chargers on the roof, rollcage as supporting chassis member, air jack, double wishbones with pushrod front and rear, Bilstein shock absorbers front and rear, brakes, balance adjustable by driver, carbon brake discs front and rear |
| Dimensions and weight: | Length 4.890 mm width 1.990 mm weight 950 kg |
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Porsche 911 GT1 - Wikipedia
1998 Porsche 911 GT1 '98
This 911 GT1 ´98 sportscar represents the third generation of the Gran Turismo concept which began in 1996. On 23 February 1998 Bob Wollek rolls out with the new six-cylinder twin-turbo Porsche for..
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