KEY POINTS:
New Zealand motorsport fans will be among the first in the world to see the 2008 Porsche GT3 Cup car in action. Purpose-built by Porsche Motorsport in Germany, it features an upgraded 3.6-litre naturally aspirated boxer engine delivering 313kW (420bhp), an increase of 15kW over the previous model.
The revised engine produces more torque and, combined with an upgraded six-speed sequential gearbox, should provide faster and more exciting races this year, the third season of the GT3 challenge.
Visual exterior changes include the fitment of the bumper panel from the GT3 road car at the rear.
Twelve of the GT3 Cup cars will be available for teams intending to compete. Demand for the 12 available cars is high, with a number of new drivers hoping to join what has quickly become the pinnacle of professional sports car racing here.
Porsche NZ general manager Grant Smith says: "The calibre of racing is increasing each year and the enhanced performance of the new car will ensure this continues among all of our competitors. Racing fans across the country can look forward to even closer, more thrilling races this season from a tremendous field of drivers."
The cars will be built in Germany next month and air-freighted to New Zealand for the first round at Pukekohe in early November.
Such is the interest in the New Zealand GT3 series that Porsche Motorsport will send senior staff to the first meeting to provide technical advice and support and to watch how the sport functions Downunder.
The 997 models will compete with the 996 models in a two-class series. The 996 models will remain eligible for the GT3 Cup Challenge, offering eligibility for existing competitors and those keen to graduate to the category.
"Existing 996 models are now available for under $100,000, providing affordable entry into the world's fastest one-make category," Smith says. "It gives race fans the tantalising prospect of fields of up to 25 cars contesting the championship this season."
The 997-based Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car was introduced to other world markets at the start of last season.
It is the same car as those competing in Carrera cups and the highly rated Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, which supports the European and Middle East rounds of the Formula One World Championship.
THE CHAMPIONSHIP
Calendar 2007/2008
Round 1 Nov 2-4 - Pukekohe Park Raceway
Round 2 Nov 23-25 - Ruapuna Park, Christchurch
Round 3 Jan 17-20 - Taupo Motorsport Park (A1GP meeting)
Round 4 Feb 15-17 - Manfield Autocourse, Fielding
Round 5 Mar 7-9 - Timaru International Motor Raceway
Round 6 Mar 14-16 - Teretonga Park, Invercargill
Round 7 April 18-20 - Hamilton Streets (V8 Supercar meeting)