After more than 22 hours of racing around the punishing Nürburgring circuit, Porsche nervously waited for the remaining two hours to tick by. After unveiling its new hybrid drive system back in February, the company's new 911 GT3 R Hybrid was in the lead of the grueling Nürburgring 24 Hours. The company had only a few test races under its belt and was hoping to use the 24 hour race as a testing opportunity to further refine the new system.
But as the race progressed, it was apparent the Porsche Hybrid's efficiency meant the car would stay at the front of the race. The energy recovery system uses a flywheel to store energy rather than a battery. Similar to the KERS system used in Formula 1 last year, Porsche's hybrid drive allowed the car to stay out two laps longer per refueling (10 laps vs. 8). And with the 24 race using both the traditional Nordschleife and modern Grand Prix circuit, those laps are 15.8 miles long!
The 911 GT3 R Hybrid had been leading the race for several hours on Sunday afternoon when at the 22 hour, 15 minute mark, the driver heard a loud noise towards the engine and the race was over. While the hybrid system had run flawlessly providing a 25 percent boost in efficiency, the normal internal combustion engine at the back of the car called it quits with only an hour and 45 minutes left to race.
In the end a BMW M3 GT2 claimed the title this year at the Nürburgring, ending as four year win streak for Porsche. Though disappointed, Porsche Chairman Michael Macht said he was impressed with the hybrid drive system.
"It wasn't enough for a win, but the Porsche hybrid technology clearly proved its potential," he said in a statement, "we will continue developing this innovative drive concept."
The 911 GT3 R Hybrid wasn't the only alternative powered car racing over the weekend through the forests in the Eifel mountains. Volkswagen entered three of its Sciroccco racers powered by "bio natural gas" the company says allows up to an 80 percent reduction in CO2 emissions.
Volkswagen says the fuel is derived from biomass as well as renewable raw materials and is climate neutral in its production. The 330 horsepower Sciroccos GT24-CNG that burns the bio natural gas finished for the third straight year without any mechanical difficulties. Oh, and this year they managed to sweep the podium in the 2.0 liter turbo class finishing 1-2-3.
Photos: Porsche/Volkswagen
