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Preview: ROOCK presents new Porsche 911 GT2

9 March 1999

EVOLUTION VERSUS REVOLUTION

o Developed by ROOCK: Porsche 911 GT2 for FIA GT Championship 1999

o New car for customer teams available, too

o Copyright free pictures: www.roock.de/111/gt.htm

Leverkusen-- The start of the new season is no longer far away, everywhere the preparations are being finalised. ROOCK Racing ... world champion 1996 and vize champion in both following years ... present its new, self developed Porsche 911 GT2 contender that will lead the German customer teams attack for this years FIA GT Championship.

"We have modified and optimized the Porsche 911 GT2 in nearly every detail", explains chief technician Mike Gramke (31) the development work, ROOCK Racing spent for the Zuffenhausen biturbo sportscar. "One of the main points of our work was the adaption to the new technical rules." For the season 1999, the GT reglement allows the use of 14 inch wide tyres for the front and the rear axle. In 98, this was reduced to 12 inch. This causes a wider body shell and a reformed aerodynamic as well. "In the rear, a diffusor increases the down-force and the aerodynamic grip, at the front of the car a reshaped spoiler and modifications to the bodyfloor will have the same effect", Gramke said.

Compared with the 98 version, the ROOCK Porsche 911 GT2 mechanic was modified in many details, too. Again, the German will enter their engines with 3,8 Liter capacity and their sequential six-speed gearbox, both are own developments. For 99, the biturbo engines were revised again. Result: More output and a higher torque on most of the useable revs. The new minimum weight ... 1100 kg, 100 kg more as in 98 ... allows ROOCK to improve the balance of the car.

First tests on the Northamerican race track Homestead showed promising conclusions from the competitivness of the teams new race car. ROOCK Racing intend to enter three Porsche 911 GT2 99 for this years FIA GT Championship. But this is not the end of the day: "We are able to build cars for customers as well", declares team boss Fabian Roock.