By SEMA News Editors
Porsche Unveils New 911 GT4 R for Customer Racing
Porsche is expanding its customer motorsport portfolio with the new 911 GT4 R. For the first time, a car designed for global GT4 racing is based on the 911 platform. The race car is powered by a 4.0L six-cylinder boxer engine delivering up to 520 HP.
In North America, the new Porsche 911 GT4 R will race in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge and SRO Pirelli GT4 America championships in open racing, among others.
The new 911 GT4 R builds on the technical foundation of the current 911 Cup, which is based on the road-legal Type 992.2 911 GT3. Compared with the previous Clubsport models based on the 718 Cayman, it offers a more powerful engine, wider front and rear track widths and further-developed motorsport electronics.
"With the new race car based on the Porsche 911 GT3, we are taking our successful GT4 program to a new level. The combination of iconic 911 DNA and the tried-and-tested GT4 concept creates a unique offering in the market," says Vice President Porsche Motorsport Thomas Laudenbach. "Our decision to bring the 911 platform into the GT4 category underlines the growing importance of this class in international motorsport. GT4 has evolved from an entry-level segment into a highly competitive, globally relevant racing platform."
The high-revving 4.0-L six-cylinder boxer engine is based on the unit used in the 911 GT3 and delivers up to 520 HP in the racing version. Maximum torque is up to 346 lb.-ft. As is standard under GT4 regulations, these performance figures vary depending on the Balance of Performance (BoP) classification. For example, the 911 GT4 R is delivered from the factory with airflow restrictors, which reduce power to 430 HP. Power is transmitted via a sequential six-speed dog-gearbox controlled with paddle shifters and a four-disc racing clutch.
Due to GT4 class requirements, the new 911 GT4 R chassis differs from the 911 Cup: the wheels are one inch narrower than those of the 911 Cup and use a five-bolt mounting pattern rather than the center locking design on the one-make racer it is closely related to. Dual-adjustable dampers and three selectable spring rates offer a range of set-up options.
The rear wing is manually adjustable to 11 positions. The car uses natural-fiber-reinforced plastic in combination with epoxy resin extensively. Components including the doors, engine cover and aerodynamic parts, as well as parts of the cockpit, are made from this material.
Inside the cockpit, the driver receives all relevant information via a 10.3-in. color display. An integrated data logger and a precise GPS system support analysis and performance optimization during racing. Additional ballast components allow the car to be adapted to the respective weight classification specified by the BoP.
For more information, visit racing.porsche.com.
IMS Museum to Open New Exhibit on Jeff Gordon
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) Museum is opening a new exhibit chronicling the life and career of NASCAR legend Jeff Gordon.
Opening July 1 before the Brickyard 400 returns to IMS, the exhibition will span both lower-level rotating galleries, replacing the "Now Stay Tuned" and "Setting the Pace" exhibits.
The Jeff Gordon exhibit will explore Gordon's racing timeline from his early roots driving quarter midgets, racing sprint cars as a teen, to his unparalleled stock car career. Gordon is a four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion (1995, 1997, 1998, 2001), secured 93 Cup Series victories (third all-time), and won the Brickyard 400 a record five times.
"Jeff Gordon is one of the most influential drivers in NASCAR history, but he is also a prolific figure in Indiana racing history and culture," said IMS Museum Vice President of Curation and Education Jason Vansickle. "We begin by highlighting his early career, growing up in Pittsboro, Indiana, and of course, his unmatched success here at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the Brickyard 400."
While the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum has spotlighted NASCAR drivers and races over the years, this is the first time it has curated an entire exhibition dedicated to a single NASCAR driver.
Cars from every era of his career will be on display, from a 1985 sprint car to Brickyard 400, Daytona 500 and Coca-Cola 600-winning stock cars with his iconic No. 24 rainbow and flame liveries. Never-before-displayed artifacts include:
- His first-ever trophy from a bicycle race in 1976.
- The first Jeff Gordon T-shirt from 1978.
- The firesuit from his first sprint car win in 1986.
- The Williams Formula 1 steering wheel Gordon used when he swapped seats with Juan Pablo Montoya at the Speedway in 2003.
More than 70 of his helmets will be displayed as art pieces on an eye-catching gallery wall. Additional artifacts include rings, trophies, letters and jackets with significance to Gordon's life and career.
"I was incredibly honored when the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum reached out with the idea for this exhibit," said Gordon. "It is the largest collection of my personal memorabilia ever displayed to the public, and I couldn't think of a better place for it than here at Indy, which had such a significant impact on my career. Countless hours went into putting this exhibit together, and I'm grateful to the IMS Museum team, my family and Hendrick Motorsports for their contributions. Walking through the exhibit for the first time will be a truly special experience and bring back a lot of memories. I hope everyone enjoys it as much as I will."
The Jeff Gordon exhibit is open until February 2027. The exhibit is included in Museum admission.
Note that during Brickyard 400 weekend, guests must purchase Indianapolis Motor Speedway gate admission to get into the track, in addition to Museum admission.
For more information, visit imsmuseum.org.
SRO America Unveils 2027 Calendar
SRO America has revealed its provisional 2027 calendar, featuring seven race weekends located across North America's premier circuits, including the return of a legendary venue and a marquee event change. The three-hour regular season race format, which was introduced in the 2026 season, will continue for the upcoming year as well, with the exception of one eight-hour spectacle.
As in previous years, the season will begin on the West Coast at Sonoma Raceway before heading to Circuit of the Americas (COTA), where competitors will contest the inaugural Texas 8 Hour. The event replaces the long-running season-finale Indianapolis 8 Hour and marks an exciting new chapter for GT World Challenge America and Intercontinental GT World Challenge competition.
Following COTA, the championship will return to Watkins Glen International in upstate New York. One of the most iconic road courses in North America, Watkins Glen joins the schedule for the first time since 2022.
Road Atlanta returns to the calendar after the series came back to the Georgia track this year for the first time since 2011, enjoying a successful return before the series takes its traditional summer break. Competition resumes at Road America with the fan-favorite full field parade through Elkhart Lake, followed by Barber Motorsports Park as the penultimate event on the schedule.
The season finale will take place at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in October, bringing the championship battles to a close at one of the world's most renowned and historic venues.
The 2027 schedule continues SRO America's commitment to delivering world-class GT racing across the country while introducing fresh, new opportunities for teams, drivers and fans.
For more information, visit sroamerica.com.
