When Porsche sent us our first Porsche 991. We decided we would test out its capabilities on the backroads in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Our trip culminated in a drive up the Mt. Washington Auto Road. As we got above tree line (a little past 4000 feet) and had a little more room to go a bit faster (maybe 30 to 40 mph), I remember thinking to myself, “how the hell does Jeff Zwart do this at more than twice the speed and three times the altitude?” That man has some serious courage. Not sure what I mean? Watch the video below as Jeff tests his 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup in preparation for this year’s Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. I was holding my breath just watching…
As you watch and listen to the video it’s fairly clear that this is not a standard (normally aspirated) GT3 Cup. Those sounds you hear sound like a blow off valve/waste gate from forced induction. However, we’re waiting to hear more from Jeff and Porsche. Rumor has it this particular hill climbing Porsche will give the word “hybrid” a whole new definition.
UPDATE: Porsche just got back to us and that sound is a combination of the sequential gear box PLUS a turbo. Apparently, Jeff has mated the engine from his 2011 Porsche GT2 RS with his 2010 GT3 Cup car giving him the “best of both worlds”. More to follow!
Other Porsche Blog Posts You Will Enjoy
17 Minutes of Porsche Hill Climbing Goodness
Video of Jeff Zwart’s Record Breaking Run up Pikes Peak in a Porsche 911 GT2 RS
Jeff Zwart’s Pikes Peak Winning Porsche GT3 California Shakedown
Here’s the Video of Jeff Zwart’s Drive From SoCal to Pikes Peak in a Porsche 911 GT2 RS
View Comments (10)
The sound quality is great. Quite a ride! Can't wait to see the full competition video!
That was fantastic !!!
Looks and sounds great; you don't think that cool sound is the sequential gear box? Comes from all the 997 based cup cars with that drive train. From the video, seems to correspond, in most instances, to JZ's right hand move to the shifter.
It's very possible it is the gear box. that was our other thought. However, we know there's a press release coming up about the car, we just don't know the content. maybe they'll say they have the new 991 GT3 gear-box in there. All though that means it would have to be mated to a different engine as well... :-) We shall see. Hopefully soon!
I believe the whining sound you hear is typical of straight cut gears used in racecar transmission (as opposed to helical gears used in street cars). Very loud, first time I heard one was a ride in a GT-3 with a racing transmission. I thought the guy forgot to put oil in the transmission:)
I love the Pike Peak Hill climb, but the "old school" in me can't help but feel it has lost something with the road paved all the way to the top.
The sounds is definitely a turbo. Porsche just announced that Jeff is running the motor from his 2011 GT2 RS IN HIS 2010 Cup car. Should be a winning combination!
That's a TURBO
Sounds like a cold sequential shifter - should be really awesome at full speed and temps - Go Jeff!!
Mount Washington is considerably different than Pikes Peak. (I have been on both). Washington is very tight switchbacks and very steep. Pikes Peak has a much milder assent, and much more road width. You are mostly in 1st and 2nd on Washington. PP is more like 3-4th.
Please post your in-car videos for us, Dan.