Andreas Preuninger, head of Porsche’s sporty GT division, told us last week keeping the manual transmission was a “super important” part of his business. That makes sense, considering about half of all GT3s sold in the US come with three pedals. As a way to further commit to purists, Preuninger revealed plans to set the record for manual cars at the Nürburgring using the new GT3, launched this year.
“What I would think is interesting, to make a new record for shifted cars, for manual cars,” Preuninger told Henry Catchpole of Hagerty. “We have high hopes that we’re going to set a very good lap time on the winged car with a manual, which is available. In some markets it’s 50 percent share, go figure. People want to have fun.”
Up until now, Porsche has used a PDK dual-clutch automatic-equipped car to set its official Nürburgring laps with the GT3.
“We think we’re going to take a manual car this time to see how fast it can go on the track,” Preuninger added.
Unlike the overall record, which has sunk into the mid-6-minute territory, the record for manual production cars at the Nürburgring has stood at just over 7 minutes for the past six years. The 7:01.3 lap time, held by a Dodge Viper ACR, was set in September 2017 through a crowdfunded effort of Viper enthusiasts.
Breaking that record shouldn’t be difficult for the new GT3. The last-gen car, equipped with the PDK, was able to run a sub-7-minute lap. With the chassis upgrades and shorter gearing, we suspect this latest car should be able to keep up, even if the six-speed manual doesn’t shift as quickly.
We won’t have to wait long to find out. The Nürburgring opens its doors for the 2025 season on March 8.
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