Back in November of last year Porsche announced they would field two factory "works" teams at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2013. Today, they confirmed that previous announcement and provided further details on the two 911s and teams (#91 and #92) running in the GTE class as part of Porsche AG Team Manthey. Both teams will race in new 911 RSRs based on the new 991 model.
Contesting the event in the #92 Porsche 911 RSR are Porsche works drivers Marc Lieb (Germany) and Richard Lietz (Austria). The pair shared a cockpit in last year’s WEC. At the first two rounds of the season in Silverstone and Spa, as well as at the Le Mans 24 hour race (22 June), they will receive reinforcement from fellow factory driver Romain Dumas (France). Works drivers also pilot the number 91 sister car: Joerg Bergmeister (Germany) teams up with Patrick Pilet (France). In Silverstone, Spa and Le Mans the duo will be joined by Timo Bernhard (Germany).
Two Customer Teams, Including Newly Formed Dempsey/Del Piero Racing To Participate
In addition to the factory teams, two customer team, IMSA Performance Matmut and Felbermayr Proton, received a starting place in the WEC and at Le Mans. Both teams will be running the previous model Porsche 911 GT3 RSR in the GTE-Am category. At the wheel of the IMSA Matmut 911, Raymond Narac (France) shares driving duties with Jean-Karl Vernay (France) who contests the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup with backing from Porsche AG this year. Vernay is the reigning champion of the Porsche Carrera Cup France.
The customer team of Dempsey/Del Piero Racing is delighted with its acceptance to contest the Le Mans 24 Hours. Hollywood star Patrick Dempsey, who is known especially for his role as “McDreamy” in the hit television series Grey’s Anatomy, contested the Le Mans race in 2009 and now climbs back into the cockpit.
“We are very much looking forward to returning to Le Mans with a works team from Porsche for the first time since 1998,” says Porsche Head of Motorsport, Hartmut Kristen. “The new 911 RSR performed well in earlier tests and is already proving extremely reliable on the track. Between them, our six pilots have scored eight class wins in Le Mans and have a great deal of experience with different 911 race cars. And our customer teams in the GTE-Am class are also well prepared for the 2013 season.”
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What’s the WEC and What does it have to do with the 12 Hours of Sebring or Le Mans?
What about a serious front-line effort by Porsche capable of overall win?….not just GT class win?
@Will,
I believe that’s what we see in 2014 with the intro of the 918 derived racing variant. At least that’s what we hope!!