On-board video: Fast and loose
Preparing a 997 GT3 for the ultimate challenge of gravel stage rallying
Our multi-talented friends at Tuthill Porsche are adding another string to their remarkable bow in the shape of a gravel stage 997 GT3 rally car. Tuthill has teamed up with Vallejo Racing for the Spanish Gravel Rally Championship, working together to perfect an as-yet unproven gravel kit that was originally developed for Tuthill’s R-GT Cup winner.
This joint venture neatly coincides with Tuthill Porsche’s return to the FIA European Rally Championship this year with Irish veteran John Coyne, which will see their 997 GT3 campaigned over a number of European events.
Team boss Richard Tuthill is excited by what lies ahead: “Rallying has always been the cornerstone of what we are about, so it is terrific to continue our 997 R-GT experience in three totally different, highly dynamic championships. The FIA ERC is mainland Europe’s flagship championship. As former FIA R-GT Cup winners, we are always delighted to bring our brand of R-GT Porsche excitement back to the continent.
“The Irish and Spanish national championships are incredibly vibrant, supported by some of the most passionate rally fans anywhere in the world. Sharing our passion for Porsche rallying with them is a wonderful prospect, and it is doubly delightful to work with Sergio and Diego Vallejo, whose exploits in the Spanish Tarmac Championship have won them two national titles and thousands of devoted followers.”
Below is a spectacular video of the gravel-prepped GT3’s preliminary shakedown, with the sort of preternatural tail-out car control on ultra-loose Welsh gravel stages that’s best watched through your fingers.
“The Porsche is the car that I have enjoyed most running,” says Sergio Vallejo. “Driving requires a great deal of skill and commitment, as electronic aids do not come into play so much. For the public, the Porsche’s sound and presence is much more attractive and spectacular.
"The greatest challenge lies in configuring the various suspension elements for maximum performance with the highest possible reliability. Gravel roads are not the natural habitat of the 911 GT3, but we are sure that the season will be a great challenge and a memorable experience for our team and the spectators.”
We’ll keep you posted on progress for this exciting project and wish Tuthill Porsche and Vallejo Racing the best of luck for 2018.
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Comments (4)
Looked a very well behaved on the gravel road that looked somewhat slick.
I like how it's already missing the front splitter in the mid-jump photo