---

Porsche 911: Legendary Sportscar Kicks Off Inaugural Indy Grand Prix

6 September 2000

Porsche 911: Legendary Sportscar Kicks Off Inaugural Indy Grand Prix

    STUTTGART, Germany, Sept. 5 The Porsche 911 sportscar and
the Indianapolis Motor Speedway: two legends meet for the first time in
history, when on Friday, 22nd September at 9:00 a.m. the race cars from
Germany kick off the inaugural Indianapolis Grand Prix weekend, rolling out
for their free practice in preparation for the first ever
Porsche-Pirelli-Supercup race on this classic track.
    For the last eight years, the Porsche-Pirelli-Supercup has been the
world's only sportscar racing series to run exclusively as a support event to
the Formula 1 World Championship.  Technical equality of the Porsche
sportscars guarantees action-packed racing: Success lies squarely on the
ability and courage of the drivers.  Nine rounds were held in Europe this
year, but the race for the title is still wide open.  Two heats on the
September weekend in Indianapolis, each yielding full points and prize money
for the first time in Supercup history, will bring the decision.
    Almost thirty Porsche 911 GT3 Cup sportscars take up the challenge on the
purpose-built 2.606 mile roadtrack that incorporates the main straightaway and
Turn 1.  The race cars from Germany comprise ninety per cent Porsche standard
parts taken from the road-going 911 GT3.  With 370 horsepower and a weight of
just 2508 pounds, these 911s ensure spectacular performances -- acceleration
from 0-60 mph in under four seconds, with a top speed of more than 170 mph.
    The premiere of the world's fastest international one-make series in the
USA is not the only highlight for Porsche Cars North America in 2000.  At the
same time the US branch of the German sportscar marque proudly announces a new
sales record: In the first seven months of this year, PCNA sold 14,353 Porsche
cars -- a increase of nine per cent compared to the same time period last
year.