WEC – Porsche sends two 911 Turbo S Safety cars around the world – 4Legend.com – AudiPassion.com
Porsche continues to supply the FIA World Endurance Championship WEC with safety cars. When the 2022 season kicks off next weekend in Sebring (USA), the new safety cars based on the Porsche 911 Turbo S typ 992 will be deployed for the first time. The 650 hp (478 kW) coupé accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.7 seconds and reaches a top speed of 330 km/h. For use as a safety car in the FIA WEC championship, the sports car from Weissach has been equipped with data and transmission technology as well as a light signaling system and two additional monitors in the cockpit .
“The large LED element on the roof flashes orange when the safety car is running. If necessary, we can switch the central section to green. »says Adam Kot, safety car operation and maintenance manager at Porsche partner Manthey. The green color means cars behind can overtake until the race lead car has slipped behind the Porsche 911 Turbo S. front and rear of the safety car have been moved to the luggage compartment in front. To save space, the radio link to the race direction, including power supply and electronics for the so-called triage system, is also housed here. This system communicates the status of flag signals along the circuit.
“Compared to the road models, new switches have been installed in the center console, as well as a red radio button on the steering wheel, a roll bar and two racing bucket seats with six-point seat belts. », explains Adam Kot. The Porsche 911 Turbo S is also equipped with a special suspension configured for the race track. The safety car drivers for the 2022 season remain unchanged with Pedro Couceiro and Yannick Dalmas. In 1994, the Frenchman took overall victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans at the wheel of a Porsche 962.
The safety vehicles, which travel around the world in containers with the works team’s two 911 RSRs, provide other services on the circuit and during the test sessions: each day of the WEC event, the safety car drivers perform laps to check the signaling system and the radio. “The cars don’t travel a lot of kilometres. On average, cars travel about 1,000 kilometers per year. We don’t have much to do in terms of maintenance: refuel, check tires and brakes, that’s all. »explains Adam Kot.
Two new safety cars decked out in the familiar black and red livery will take part in all WEC races in 2022. Special rules only apply to the 24 Hours of Le Mans due to the particularly long 13.623 kilometer circuit: security are deployed at the same time. For this event, which marks the culmination of the World Endurance Championship in June, Manthey is preparing three additional Porsche 911 Turbo S. “We are delighted that from this year we will see the action of the extremely powerful and fast 911 Turbo S during incidents on the track. »said Alexander Stehlig, Porsche Motorsport FIA WEC Director. The new ACO vehicles will be delivered to France in the coming weeks. Their first outing in Sarthe is scheduled for April 16/17 during the 2022 24-hour motorcycle race.
Photos: Porsche
