Upgraded Porsche 911 GT3 R and a retained driver line-up confirmed for Falken’s 2013 VLN and Nürburgring 24 Hours campaign
Japanese tyre maker blends proven driver line up, upgraded 997 and new tyres for GT campaign
Germany, March 7th 2013. Falken Motorsports is to field its Porsche 997 GT3 R in this year’s VLN and Nürburgring 24 Hours events. A raft of performance upgrades for its Porsche, coupled with an unchanged driver line up of Sebastian Asch, Peter Dumbreck, Wolf Henzler and Martin Ragginger are confirmed, with the clear aim of a top ten finish in the 24 Hour event.
Falken Motorsports, headed by experienced team principal Sven Schnabl, has upgraded the Porsche with a new aero package that includes wider wings, new splitter and double canards at the front with a larger rear wing to increase downforce. Enlarged cooling vents around both the front and rear arches has also been enhanced and the car is now able to run 12” wide rims at the front, 0.5” wider than last year. Crucial for a 24 Hour race, the 997 now sports four front headlamps.
In addition to the car upgrades, Falken’s engineers in Japan have developed a range of new tyres for this season with first track testing of the new covers set for the 16thMarch at the annual VLN Set-Up day.
Building upon the experience from last year, Falken Motorsports is retaining Peter Dumbreck, Martin Ragginger, Porsche works driver Wolf Henzler and Sebastian Asch. "After a really exciting 2012 season under our belts, it makes us all the keener to get start the 2013 season underway in a few weeks," says Austrian racer Martin Ragginger. "We are gearing up to give it everything we've got for the fans and aiming for a top ten place in 24-Hour Race."
Falken has also confirmed which rounds it will participate in the VLN calendar.
16.03.2013 VLN Set Up Day
23.03.2013 60. ADAC Westfalenfahrt
27.04.2013 55. ADAC ACAS H&R-Cup
17.-20.05.2013 41. ADAC ZURICH 24h-Rennen Nürburgring
22.06.2013 44. Adenauer ADAC Simfy Trophy
20.07.2013 53. ADAC Reinoldus-Langstreckenrennen
24.08.2013 6h ADAC Ruhr-Pokal-Rennen
12.10.2013 ROWE DMV 250-Meilen-Rennen
About FALKEN Tyres Europe:
The technology and development of Falken High Performance Tyres and their driving characteristics have for many years been derived from motorsport, most recently its participation in the American Le Mans Series and Nürburgring 24 Hours. Tyre technologies developed on track are often transferred to the road, offering improvements in wet and dry grip, efficiency, feeling and control.
Falken is a brand of Sumitomo Rubber Industries Japan, with European headquarters in Frankfurt. In Europe, Falken has aggressively expanded its product range, launching new products in new sectors and niches across Europe. Falken’s current products range from the track-inspired AZENIS series including the latest FK453 flagship through to the efficient and innovative ZE914 and the rugged all-terrain WildPeak A/T and cold weather EUROWINTER HS449.
All FALKEN products fulfil the ISO standards 9001 and 14001. For more information visit www.falken-europe.de or www.facebook.com/falkenmotorsports
Pressekontakt Unternehmen: FALKEN Tyre Europe GmbH, Nadine Cerone Tel.: 069-247 52 52 – 64,
Fax: 069-247 52 52–11, E-Mail: n.cerone@falken-europe.de
For UK press enquiries: Propel Technology, Nick Bailey, Tel: +44 (0) 1295 724130, email nick@propel-technology.com
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