We’re back in action: During the free practice session at the Porsche Sports Cup Suisse, I had the fantastic opportunity to extensively test the brand-new Porsche GT4 RS Clubsport and tailor it to my needs. The heart of this racing car is the 4.0-litre six-cylinder boxer engine, inspired by the 911 GT3 Cup, which shines with 368 kW (500 hp) – a plus of 75 hp compared to its predecessor. The performance improvement is approximately in the range of 2%-4%. In other words: at the Paul Ricard, I was 5s faster than last year. A large part of this will have been down to the improved performance of the vehicle; I attribute a smaller part to myself 😊.

An improved air intake allows for maximum power at 8,300 revolutions per minute, a significant jump of 800 revolutions higher than before. With a maximum engine speed of 9,000 and a maximum torque of 465 Nm (previously 425 Nm), the car offers an impressively wide rev range. Additionally, the vehicle benefits from an optimised dual-clutch gearbox, now using seven gears instead of six for shorter ratios.

The driving dynamics of the 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport are noticeably improved through extensive chassis modifications. Completely renewed damper technology significantly enhances control over the vehicle. The modifications include, among other things, two-way shock absorbers and adjustable anti-roll bars at the front and back. I felt that the vehicle is finer to drive: in certain situations with unevenness and crests, the new GT4 is more forgiving, but when accelerating out, one must be a bit gentler with the right foot.

Side flicks and an extended front lip for the front bumper increase downforce on the front axle, making the car more agile. Wheel arch vents in the style of the 911 GT3 R and special air curtains calm the air turbulence around the front wheels, while the covered underbody optimizes the flow to the functional diffuser at the rear. The swan-neck rear wing now features a 20-millimeter-long Gurney flap and an extended range of adjustment by two steps.

Another highlight is the increased use of sustainable natural fibre composite materials (NFC). You could probably even smoke the installed herbs 😊. This innovative approach, which was already popular with the predecessor model, has now been expanded and includes not only doors and rear wings but also the front hood, fenders, and other aerodynamic components.

That we were able to drive the cars at all is thanks to the tireless efforts of AMAG First Motorsport, as it was anything but certain that the vehicles could be delivered on time and be ready for use.

But enough writing: take a seat in the cockpit and enjoy a lap of Le Castellet with me! https://youtu.be/50a6Y5a4K0g. Connoisseurs might notice one or two blunders, but the times were quite respectable for the first two days of training.

I am immensely pleased to be able to share this season with you as well and thank you for your continued support and enthusiasm for motorsport. And: I have now updated my website at https://rstebler.ch/racing-sponsoring/ and would of course be delighted to continue to count on your support.

Driver Webpage of the AMAG First Racing Team: Remo Stebler (porsche.com)