This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations .(January 2024) |
Category | One-make production GT3 stock car racing by Porsche |
---|---|
Country | International |
Inaugural season | 1993 |
Drivers | 24 |
Teams | 13 |
Constructors | Porsche |
Engine suppliers | Porsche |
Tyre suppliers | Michelin |
Drivers' champion | Bastian Buus |
Teams' champion | BWT Lechner Racing |
Official website | porsche.com/international |
Current season |
The Porsche Supercup (officially known as Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, known as Porsche Michelin Supercup prior to 2007) [1] is an international one-make production stock car racing series supporting the FIA Formula One World Championship organized by Porsche Motorsport GmbH.
Porsche Supercup drivers compete in identical Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars. On average, 24 race cars take part in each race. Most circuits visited by the series are European, although circuits in Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, the United States and Mexico have been included in the calendar as well.
Since 1993 the Porsche Michelin Supercup has run as support to the FIA Formula One World Championship. The number of races has grown from the original nine to total 13 in 2006, although decreasing to 11 in 2017 and eight in 2020. Prior to 1993, the series was known as the Porsche Carrera Cup.
Two sets of slick tyres may be used per car each weekend. The number of wet tyres is unlimited. The tyres are identical for all competitors and are not permitted to be pre-warmed or chemically treated.
In-race pit stops are not mandatory and no refueling is allowed during the race, but pit stops are allowed when necessary (e.g., in case of tyre puncture, body damage, changes in weather conditions, etc.).
These are the racing flags that usually used in every Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup race weekends:
Flag | Names | Meaning |
---|---|---|
SC Board (Safety Car) | Shown in conjunction with a yellow flag to indicate that the Safety Car is on track. Full course yellow flag applies. Drivers must hold position and slow down. | |
VSC Board (Virtual Safety Car) | Shown in conjunction with a yellow flag to indicate that the virtual safety car is in use. During this time, the drivers are given maximum sector times that they must stay below. Full course double yellow flag applies. [2] | |
Green | Normal racing conditions apply. This is usually shown following a yellow flag to indicate that the hazard has been passed. A green flag is shown at all stations for the lap following the end of a full-course yellow (or safety car). A green flag is also shown at the start of every race sessions (free practice, qualifying and race). | |
Yellow | Indicates a hazard on or near the track (waved yellows indicate a hazard on the track, frozen yellows indicate a hazard near the track). Double waved yellows inform drivers that they must slow down as marshals are working on or near to the track and drivers should be prepared to stop. | |
Yellow and red striped | Slippery track, due to oil, water or loose debris. Can be seen 'rocked' from side-to-side (not waved) to indicate a small animal on track. | |
Blue | A blue flag indicates that the driver in front must let faster cars behind him pass because he is being lapped. If flag is missed 3 times the driver could be penalised. | |
White | Indicates that there is a slow car ahead. Often waved at the end of the pit lane when a car is about to leave the pits. | |
Black and orange circle | Car is damaged or has a mechanical problem, must return to the pit lane immediately. Will be accompanied by driver's number | |
Half black half white | Warns a driver for poor sportsmanship or dangerous behaviour. Can be followed by a Black flag upon further infringement. Accompanied by the driver's number. | |
Black | Driver is disqualified. Will be accompanied by the driver's number. This can be issued after a Half Black Half White flag. | |
Red | A red flag immediately halts a race or session when conditions become too dangerous to continue. | |
Chequered flag | End of the practice, qualifying or racing session. |
Porsche Supercup cars adhere to a rear-engined rear-wheel-drive design. A roll cage serves as a carbon-fibre space frame chassis and is covered by a multiple-gauge sheet metal body. They have a closed cockpit, fenders, a rear wing, and an aerodynamic splitter. Each team may purchase cars and engines from other teams.
The car has a front MacPherson strut suspension, and a rear Multi-link suspension. Brake discs must be made of steel and may not exceed 380 mm (15 in ) diameter. The only aerodynamic components on the vehicles are the front splitter, rear wing, solid polycarbonate glass window in the windows only, and side skirts. The use of rear diffusers, vortex generators, canards, wheel well vents, hood vents, and undertrays are prohibited.
Porsche Supercup cars are required to have at least 1 working windshield wiper installed on the car for all tracks as a part of the road racing rules package.
For the inaugural 1993 Porsche Supercup season the 964 Cup (used in Carrera Cup from 1992) based on the 964 Carrera RS (itself based on the earlier 1990 964 Carrera Cup) was the vehicle of choice. Compared to the road car the Cup race car features a similarly stripped-out interior and retains the catalytic converter, 18 inch magnesium wheels and ABS but was lowered by 20mm, featured a full roll cage and no passenger seat.
Based on the 993 Carrera 2 and used in the Porsche Supercup for seasons 1994–1997. Updated in 1995 with aero parts from the new Carrera RS, followed by a five-horsepower increase to 315 PS (232 kW ; 311 hp ) at 6,200 rpm in 1996. 216 units were produced in total.
Raced in the Porsche Supercup seasons 1998–2001. Basis for the upcoming 996 GT3 road car, featuring a 3.6 litre boxer engine on basis of the GT1 block. For the 1999 season the engine output was increased to 272 kW (370 PS; 365 bhp) and 370 N⋅m (273 lbf⋅ft) at 6,250 rpm. The car managed the 0-100 km/h (62 mph) sprint in four seconds, with a top speed of 286 km/h (178 mph). For the 2001 season the GT3 Cup received modified aerodynamics including an enlarged rear wing and improved cooling. [3] [4]
Raced in the Porsche Supercup seasons 2002–2004. For 2002 the GT3 Cup received several changes based on the 996.2 Carrera and Turbo models, including Turbo-style headlights. The new body significantly improves aerodynamics and cooling. Engine output is increased to 280 kW (381 PS; 375 bhp) and 380 N⋅m (280 lbf⋅ft), further changes include improved transmission cooling, a lightened exhaust system and other light-weighing measures across the car. [5] For the 2004 season the car received further upgrades. Engine output is once again increased slightly, to 287 kW (390 PS; 385 bhp) at 7,200 rpm and 390 N⋅m (288 lbf⋅ft) at 6,500 rpm. Gear ratios of fourth, fifth and sixth gears have been shortened. An 89-litre fuel tank improves endurance racing capabilities. In the interior changes are made to enable the use of the HANS device. [6]
Raced in the Porsche Supercup seasons 2005–2009. The 997-based Cup car features significantly improved aerodynamics and lightweight CFRP parts, including doors, rear body panels, engine deck lid and rear wing. Parts of the suspension are adopted from the GT3 RSR. [7]
Raced in the Porsche Supercup seasons 2010–2012. Based on 997.2 GT3 RS, the car features a new 3.8 litre engine, an enlarged rear wing adopted from 911 GT3 Cup S measuring 1.70 m (67 in), additional Unibal joints on the track control arms and front and rear sword-shaped anti-roll bars with seven position settings each and a steering wheel mounted Info Display with 6 switches. The vehicle was unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show and deliveries began in the same year. The base MSRP of the European model was €149,850 (before tax). [8] [9]
Based on the Porsche 911 GT3 type 991, this 911 GT3 Cup was used in the Porsche Supercup for the seasons 2013–2016. The Porsche 911 GT3 Cup Type 991 features the new gearbox paddle-shifters for the first time.
Raced in the Porsche Supercup from the 2017 season until the end of the 2020 season. Based on the latest 911 GT3 road car it features a larger 4.0-litre flat-six boxer engine, improved aerodynamics and an enlarged escape-hatch in the roof and is priced at €189,900 excluding taxes. [10]
The standard Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (Type 992) raced in the Porsche Supercup starting for the first time in the 2021 season and is expected to race for the next few seasons. [11] Based on the latest 911 GT3 road car, the 911 GT3 Cup Type 992 engines will remain the same as the 911 GT3 Cup (Type 991 II) but the power output will increase slightly from 485 to 510 bhp (362 to 380 kW; 492 to 517 PS). [12]
For the transmission gearboxes, all Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup cars currently utilize a semi-automatic transmission with a 6-speed gearbox (including reverse gear) operated by paddle shifters and supplied by in-house Porsche since the 2013 season. From 1993 to 2012, all Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup cars used sequential manual transmission with a 6-speed gearbox operated by a conventional sequential shifter. The clutch of all Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup cars is a sintered metal-plate clutch operated by foot-pedal and provided by ZF Sachs. The mechanical limited-slip differential is also allowed and constant velocity joint tripod driveshafts are also used. All Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup cars drivetrain is currently rear-engine with rear-wheel-drive layout.
For the safety equipment, all Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup cars seating utilizes racing bucket driver's seat with 6-point seat belts. The steering wheel of all Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup cars are made exclusively in-house by Porsche Motorsport GmbH. All Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup cars are also equipped with Cosworth Omega Intelligent Colour Display units since 2013 until 2020 season until it was replaced by all-new larger in-house Porsche Motorsport display units from 2021 season onwards. The fire extinguisher of all Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup cars are included in the bottom right-hand side underneath. The interior rear-view mirror is still currently used since 1993 until present.
The cockpit of all Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup cars are fully protected by doors, windshields and roofs (shielded by polycarbonate glass for windscreen, side windows and rear windows including also windshield wipers for rain weather only in the windscreen) because of current coupé-type car.
Points are assigned to the first 15 finishers of each race and all races count towards the championship. To receive points, a driver must compete in multiple races per season. Since 2008, there have been two bonus points awarded for the driver who secures pole position in qualifying.
Position | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th | 10th | 11th | 12th | 13th | 14th | 15th | Pole |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Points | 25 | 20 | 17 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
In the case of a tie, Porsche Supercup will determine the champion based on the most first-place finishes. If there is still a tie, Porsche Supercup will determine the champion by the most second-place finishes, then the most third-place finishes, etc., until a champion is determined. Porsche Supercup will apply the same system to other ties in the rankings at the close of the season and at any other time during the season.
The points of the two best drivers of each team are added up. At the end of the season Porsche rewards the three best placed teams with prize money.
In 2006 and 2007, Porsche AG pays around 820,000 euros to drivers and teams. Per race the winner receives 9,000 euros, the runner-up 7,500 euros and the third placed driver 6,500 euros. For a 15th place 1,400 euros are paid. Additionally, the 2006 or 2007 champion receives a Porsche road car. The driver with the fastest laps will be given a premium watch from Porsche Design.
In 2015, Porsche says it pays "more than 730,000 Euros in prize money to drivers and teams. In addition, the overall winner receives a special prize. The winner of the rookie classification receives an additional prize of 30,000 Euros providing he/she reregisters for the following year’s Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup." [14]
Dutch driver Patrick Huisman is the most successful driver in the championship, having won four straight titles between 1997 and 2000. Huisman's record is followed by René Rast and Michael Ammermüller with three titles and Jeroen Bleekemolen, Richard Westbrook, and Larry ten Voorde with two titles each. The reigning champion is Danish driver Bastian Buus.
At the Grand Prix circuits during 2006 an average of 125,000 spectators witnessed the action from the grandstands at each round. According to Porsche AG races attracted 22 million TV viewers worldwide, most of them in Europe where Eurosport provided regular coverage. [15]
Porsche also runs many regional and national one-make production racing series around the globe.
The Ferrari 360 is a two-seater, mid-engine, rear wheel drive sports car manufactured by Italian automotive manufacturer Ferrari from 1999 until 2004. It succeeded the Ferrari F355 and was replaced by the Ferrari F430 in 2004.
The Porsche 993 is the fourth generation of the Porsche 911 model sports car manufactured and sold between January 1994 and early 1998, replacing the 964. Its discontinuation marked the end of air-cooled 911 models.
The Porsche 996 is the fifth generation of the 911 model sports car manufactured by the German automaker Porsche from 1997 until 2006. It was replaced by the 997 in 2004, but the high performance Turbo S, GT2 and GT3 variants remained in production until 2006. The 996 had little in common with its predecessor, with the first all new chassis platform since the original 911 and a new water-cooled engine. Technically, it was a major change, a complete break from the original car other than the overall layout.
The Porsche 997 is the sixth generation of the Porsche 911 sports car manufactured and sold by the German automobile manufacturer Porsche between 2004 and 2013. Production of the Carrera and Carrera S coupés began in early 2004, all-wheel drive Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S began to be delivered to customers in November 2005, the Turbo and GT3 derivatives went on sale in late 2006 and the GT2 in 2007. In addition to the coupé and cabriolet versions, Targa versions of the Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S were also available, which carry on with the "glass canopy" roof design used since its first application on the 993 until the 991, which reverted to the classic targa top layout used on the early 911 Targas.
The Porsche 964 is a model of the Porsche 911 sports car manufactured and sold between 1989 and 1994. Designed by Benjamin Dimson through January 1986, it featured significant styling revisions over previous 911 models, most prominently the more integrated bumpers. It was the first car to be offered with Porsche's Tiptronic automatic transmission and all wheel drive as options.
The Porsche 987 is the internal designation for the second generation Porsche Boxster sports car. It made its debut at the 2004 Paris Motor Show alongside the 911 (997) and went on sale in 2005.
The Audi S6 is the performance variant of the Audi A6, an executive car produced by German automaker Audi. It went on sale in 1994, shortly after the "A6" designation was introduced, replacing the "100" nameplate.
The Porsche 911 GT3 is a high-performance homologation model of the Porsche 911 sports car. It is a line of high-performance models, which began with the 1973 911 Carrera RS. The GT3 has had a successful racing career in the one-make national and regional Porsche Carrera Cup and GT3 Cup Challenge series, as well as the international Porsche Supercup supporting the FIA F1 World Championship.
The Ruf CTR also known as the CTR Yellowbird or simply Yellowbird, is a limited-production, high performance sports car manufactured by German automobile manufacturer Ruf Automobile. Introduced for the 1987 model year and based on the Porsche 911, the CTR featured an enlarged and highly tuned version of Porsche's 3.2 litre flat-six cylinder engine, lightened body panels, an integrated roll cage, upgraded suspension and braking systems, a custom-designed transmission, and several unique trim pieces such as polyurethane bumpers, and the use of the side-mounted oil filler necessitated by relocating the oil tank forward to clear the intercooler on that side.
The Porsche 911 GT2 is a high-performance, track-focused sports car built by the German automobile manufacturer Porsche from 1993 to 2009, and then since 2010 as the GT2 RS. It is based on the 911 Turbo, and uses a similar twin-turbocharged engine, but features numerous upgrades, including engine enhancements, larger brakes, and stiffer suspension calibration. The GT2 is significantly lighter than the Turbo due to its use of rear-wheel-drive instead of all-wheel-drive system and the reduction or removal of interior components. As a result, the GT2 is the most expensive and fastest model among the 911 lineup.
The original Porsche 911 is a luxury sports car made by Porsche AG of Stuttgart, Germany. A prototype of the famous, distinctive, and durable design was shown to the public in autumn 1963. Production began in September 1964 and continued through 1989. It was succeeded by a modified version, internally referred to as Porsche 964 but still sold as Porsche 911, as are current models.
The Audi RS 2 Avant is a high-performance version of the Audi 80 Avant estate car, manufactured from March 1994 to July 1995. Collaboratively designed as a joint venture between Audi AG and Porsche and based on Audi's B4/8C platform, it received the internal designation of P1. It featured the most powerful version of Audi's inline-five cylinder turbocharged engine. It represents Audi's first "RS" model, and the first of their high-performance Avants.
The Porsche 991 is the seventh generation of the Porsche 911 sports car, which was unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show on 15 September as the replacement for the 997. The 991 was an entirely new platform, only the third since the original 911 launched in 1963. Production of the 991 generation ended on December 20, 2019, with 233,540 units produced.
The Audi R8 LMS Cup was a one-make sports car racing series by Audi based in Asia. Audi R8 LMS Cup cars were based on the Audi R8 LMS (GT3).
The Porsche 911 is a two-door 2+2 high performance rear-engined sports car introduced in September 1964 by Porsche AG of Stuttgart, Germany. It has a rear-mounted flat-six engine and originally a torsion bar suspension. The car has been continuously enhanced through the years but the basic concept has remained unchanged. The engines were air-cooled until the introduction of the 996 series in 1998.
The Porsche 982 is the internal designation of the fourth generation Boxster/Cayman made by German automobile manufacturer Porsche. With the switch to a new turbocharged flat-four engine the marketing name for the models was changed to Porsche 718, in reference to the 718, which won the Targa Florio race in 1959 and 1960. The name is meant to evoke Porsche's past racing successes with light cars like the 718 that outmanoeuvred competitors with larger and more powerful engines.
The Porsche 992 is the eighth and current generation of the Porsche 911 sports car, which was introduced at the Porsche Experience Center in Los Angeles on 27 November 2018.
The Ruf SCR is a sports car manufactured by German automobile manufacturer Ruf Automobile. The SCR was based on the Porsche 911 SC and the changes made to its engine enabled it to have similar performance to the 930 Turbo, despite having a naturally aspirated engine.
The 2021 Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup was the 29th Porsche Supercup season, a GT3 production stock car racing series sanctioned by Porsche Motorsports GmbH in the world. It began on 23 May at Circuit de Monaco and ended on 12 September at the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza, after eight races, all of which were support events for the 2021 Formula One season.
The Porsche 911 RSR and its predecessor GT3 RSR, GT3 RS and GT3 R were a line of GT racing cars produced by Porsche that are used in motorsport for endurance races. They are based on the currently highest class in GT racing worldwide, the GTE class from ACO. These regulations lead back to the concept of a GT3 class below the then Group GT1 and GT2 from 1998. After the discontinuation of the GT1 class, the planned GT3 class was from 1999 at the ACO as a GT class below the GTS, as well advertised by the FIA from 2000 as N-GT. After the alignment of the GT rules between FIA and ACO in 2005, this class was renamed GT2 class. When the FIA's GT2 European Championship failed and the participants in the GT1 class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans dwindled, the ACO renamed the GT2 class GTE in 2011 and divided it into GTE-Pro for professionals and GTE-AM for amateurs. Over the years, Porsche was continuously represented in this class with different series of the 911.