Photo : Nicolas COUSSEAU - ACO/Nikon

At the 1,000 kilometer race in Zhuhai, China, the Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid impressed once again with its performance and efficiency.

The innovative sports car from Weissach, piloted by Porsche works drivers Joerg Bergmeister and Patrick Long was by far the fastest GT vehicle in the field at its eagerly awaited premiere in Asia. "The first race in China with the 911 GT3 R Hybrid was a complete success," said Hartmut Kristen, head of Porsche Motorsport worldwide. "The car contested the entire race without the slightest technical problem. The excellent pit stops by our factory squad and an absolutely perfect performance from the drivers also contributed to this success. The development work on the hybrid system that we conducted since the last race in Road Atlanta has paid off. Today, we showed just what potential the hybrid technology has. This result is a great motivation for continuing our work on the project. This was definitely not the last race for the 911 GT3 R Hybrid."

On the Zhuhai International Circuit, the 911 GT3 R Hybrid, which started in the special GTH class, was not only the fastest but also the most economical GT vehicle. Thanks to its ground-breaking drive concept, it made one less pit stop and completed three more laps than the next GT opponent. "Our car ran perfectly from the first to the last lap," said Joerg Bergmeister. "That was another super test of the hybrid system under race conditions - and the most successful conclusion I could think of." Patrick Long, his teammate with whom he won the GT title of the American Le Mans Series for the second time straight this season in the Flying Lizard Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, praised both the car and the crew. "The performance of the Porsche factory mechanics was world class. We had the most efficient and at the same time fastest GT car. Now, that's what I call Porsche Intelligent Performance," said Long, who had tested the car previously, but not raced it in competition.

Based upon Porsche press release

Photo: ZHUHAI (PRC), 1000 KM OF ZHUHAI, 5th-7th November 2010. In the first endurance event ever competed in China, the Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid finished 6th overall ahead of all the other LM GT1 and LM GT2 entries.