Video: Warp speed Porsche GT2 RS Nürburgring onboard

The record was set at the “Green Hell” on 14^th June 2021 and topples previous champion, the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series, around the 12.9-mile circuit. Driving the 700PS (515kW) 911 GT2 RS was Porsche development driver Lars Kern who averaged 115mph, hitting 190mph (just over 300km/h) on the straights, as you can see from the in-car video.

That was quick enough for a best lap of 6 minutes 43.3 seconds, four seconds up on last GT2 RS to go for the record in 2017. The run was made on road-legal Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tyres and was for the whole lap (Porsche says the time equates to 6:38.8 for the old shorter circuit). The AMG GT Black Series went to the top of the leaderboard last year with a time of 6:43.6.

So how much of the car’s success was down to that Manthey Performance Kit? The kit, which is being offered in the UK as a Porsche approved and warranted option on all GT2 RSs, was developed for the car by Manthey Racing, the Porsche race team that runs the factory 911 RSRs in the World Endurance Championship.

The kit comprises of chassis, aerodynamic and brake components along with the Weissach Package mag wheels, which come with a 11.4kg weight saving. There is no more power than standard but there is more downforce from, most obviously, a new rear spoiler, modified diffuser and aero-discs on the rear wheels. There are also additional flaps on the front and a carbon underbody. Downforce on the rear axle increases from 93 to 200kg at 124mph.

Manthey’s experience with the RSRs shows in the track-optimised coil-over suspension with adjustable dampers. Brakes are upgraded to racing pads for the ceramic brake system which also gets steel-encased brake lines for more direct pedal feedback.

Lars Kern’s verdict? “You feel as if you’re in a racing car, especially on faster corners. It is truly breath-taking how the car puts its 700PS down, and how incredibly well it brakes while always remaining easy to control.”

Impressive? Undoubtedly. But wouldn’t it have been more impressive still if Porsche had made the GT2 RS this way to start with, rather than getting a race team to put together a Nürburgring special?