The 992.2 GT3 and the Nürburgring: The Perfect Car and Track Combo

The new 911 992.2 GT3 has recently received worldwide acclaim from the world’s motoring journalists. Most earning for its wonderous high-revving 4.0l 503 horsepower flat-6, pin-sharp handling and still using a proper six-speed manual. It is the last glory of a dying breed of naturally aspirated, driver-focused dinosaurs in a world full of computer-controlled Laptop-based EVs.

As all GT3s have done previously, this new one is set to soon set a new record around the fearsome Nürburgring. Porsche’s GT division Boss, Andreas Preuninger believes the new car will be at least two to three seconds faster than the 992.1 which set an impressive 6:55.34. But that’s not the only record the new GT3 wishes to accomplish.

The Nürburgring Manual Record: Achieving the Impossible

One of the most notable areas of praise for the new GT3 is its new manual gearbox, borrowed from the much-loved 911 S/T. The gearbox has an 8% shorter ratio than the previous GT3 meaning gear changes are snappier and more responsive. This has led Preunninger to believe this new car is capable of doing the impossible.

According to Preuninger, half of all GT3s sold come with “three pedals” and the manual gearbox is "super important." And to prove it still has life, the team want to break the Nürburgring Manual Record, which was previously held by the red, white and blue monster, the Dodge Viper ACR.

Back in 2017, this 8.4L 645 horsepower V10 Leviathan blitzed manual records around the Ring with an impressive time of 7:01.3 seconds. It’s worth noting Dodge themselves had nothing to with this record, it was instead crowdfunded by Viper enthusiasts keen to show Europe what America can do.

But Preunninger wants Europe to be back on top and completely wipe the smirk of our Atlantic allies. He also wants to prove that in todays and age the manual gearbox is still capable of blitzing records. And undoubtedly a new Weissach Packaged GT3, Preunninger is more than capable of achieving this record.

A Hurrah for Petrolheads

The Nürburgring’s doors won’t open until March 8th, and undeniably setting a lap record for both a PDK and Manual GT3 is a priority at Stuttgart’s Finest. Cause if the latter achieves its record, Porsche will prove that the petrolhead's dream of a manual gearbox and naturally aspirated engine is still capable of smashing records. And in today’s day and age of EVs and complicated twin-turbo hybrids, nothing will make us happier, than to see point-and-squirt, old-school dinosaurs show up the new boys.

Source: Hagerty