More Performance ALL Of The Time: Manthey-Racing’s GT3 RS MR

I know what you’re thinking – Porsche know what they’re doing and the latest GT3 RS is the highest evolution of a proven formula. Who in their right mind looks at it and thinks ‘that needs to go faster’?

I’m with you on that and even Manthey-Racing would agree to a certain extent. Before we begin, I’ll let you into a little secret. This car is not really about being faster, it’s about being able to access that speed more confidently, more of the time, by a wider spread of drivers.

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As soon as you understand that, you’ll understand the Manthey-Racing GT3 RS MR.

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You see, when you look up lap times for cars on websites like Fastest Laps you’ll find superstar names like Walter Röhrl, Klaus Ludwig and Kevin Estre. These are not normal drivers. These guys have ‘one in a million’ natural talent and have dedicated their lives to honing their skill. They are not you and I. Even the best amateur drivers would struggle to eek the last 10 to 20% of performance from the GT3 RS, let alone doing it safely and repeatably. I’d probably get about 50 to 60% out of it and end up on fire in the process. Safely and repeatably are key words here; if you’re doing track days in a GT3 RS the last thing you’d want to do is leave the track trying to go fast, and that’s where the MR package comes in.

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It’s designed to give the driver confidence to explore the limits of the GT3 RS.

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It goes without saying that Manthey-Racing wanted to increase the overall performance and reduce the headline lap time over the stock GT3 RS – and who wouldn’t? But the key difference is that the package is designed to be easy to drive.

Michael Grassl at Manthey-Racing, a long time friend of Speedhunters and race driver, explains it perfectly: “We want our customers to achieve fast lap times safely, to get as close as possible to our development driver’s times and smile while doing it.”

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But how is this achieved? Well, the first thing to understand here is that Manthey-Racing develop the complete package in house. Everything is designed to work harmoniously in the car. This isn’t a case of selecting off-the-shelf race car parts and making the best of what is available, it’s a ground up development programme. The testing, logging and analysis committed to this car is akin to a factory race car development programme. This is helped by Manthey-Racing HQ being stationed less than 30 seconds from the Nürburgring, and it allows them to fit a part and head straight to T13 to join the industry pool testing for evaluation.

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The depth of detail in this development regime is staggering. The enlarged rear wing is not just a replacement wing element – that is only the tip of the iceberg. If you look deeper, the wing uprights are no longer supported by the deck lid but mounted directly to the chassis. In turn, the deck lid is shortened and opens between the wing uprights, rather than opening with them like on the normal GT3 RS. Under the deck lid, new carbon fibre panels make the installation look completely OEM. If you’ve never seen a stock GT3 RS you’d be very hard pushed to tell how the MR is different.

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But the wing change was only made as a result of testing. Manthey-Racing found that the new wing element forced the rear of the normal deck lid down in high speed sections and it pushed the tail lights out of alignment. It’s a similar story with the rear suspension, as most (including myself) would think that the first generation and second generation GT3 RS MR would share the same setup. The back of this new GT3 RS MR is a totally new development that follows on from the extensive work Manthey-Racing completed with the GT2 RS MR project before it.

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The package price for the GT3 RS MR is set at €54,911 (US$61,115) plus tax, or €39,911 (US$47,325) plus tax if you don’t want the magnesium wheels. Now that may sound like a lot but consider this: You are getting a complete modification package developed by one of the most successful racing teams on the planet, set up and installed, ready to go. It even retains the Porsche factory drivetrain warranty. In actual fact, when you look through the parts price list the components are actually very good value. Brake pads for steel discs come in at €671.43 (US$795) plus tax; that’s basically an OE replacement price.

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If you’re lucky enough to have a second generation GT3 RS and are considering the MR package, I’d strongly advise you to get the wheels and aero discs though, mainly so we can all look at them and enjoy them. Not only do they look absolutely mental, the aero discs can only be fitted to the MR wheels and they increase rear downforce enough to reduce the wing angle by 2°. This means a higher top speed. If that’s not a conversation starter I don’t know what is.

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As I’m typing this the GT3 RS MR has not yet set an official time at the Nürburgring, but by the time you read this it will have set a blistering time, smashing the time set by the stock second gen GT3 RS. I’m absolutely confident of this because I was able to witness the pace first hand, while being thrown around the interior like a rag doll on the Nordschleife.

Here’s what it feels like…

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We jumped into the car at the Manthey-Racing development centre and headed off to join the Nordschleife. Christoph Breuer is an unassuming dude, ultra-friendly and smiling. He knows what is about to come. He warms the car up on the brakes, getting a little heat into the tyres on the road to enter the ‘Ring, a wave to the marshal and we join, instantly at full throttle.

It’s impossible to carry on with any conversation from this point and I’m fully committed to holding on as best as I can in the standard seat and 3-point harness. For the next 7 minutes or less I am powerless. I expect this is why Christoph wore a wry smile from his position, bolted firmly in the carbon Recaro Cup car seat and in complete control.

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I cannot keep my body from lurching forward, left, right, up down and everywhere in between. At one point I’m sure my head hit the roof. It’s impossible to comprehend the rush of inputs entering my brain so I decide to try as best as I can to focus on Christoph’s inputs at the throttle, brakes and steering, noting how the car reacts. Does it look easy to drive or is he fighting it to get the speed?

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That’s easier said than done of course, as on the several times I managed to regain control of my neck muscles and glance over at the speedometer, it was was north of 270km/h on at least three occasions. I’ve been out at the ‘Ring in VLN cars on full slicks, but they didn’t feel this quick. You’ve got to remember this car has carpets, airbags and you can drive it to get a coffee. Not that I need any more stimulants right now.

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The braking performance is absolutely savage and it throws me almost clean out of the window on the first hard application. I was not expecting that. It’s only got updated brake pads and steel lines, but it feels incredible under braking.

This development car has no A/C. I’m sweating uncontrollably; my palms are streaming. Every time we approach a corner I have to brace as hard as I can against the footwell to resist the deceleration. The braking on this car sums the whole package up perfectly. There is no value-adding facade, only components that have been tested to need improvement are improved and a perfect replacement is developed. I can’t believe this is just a pad upgrade.

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Likewise, the suspension upgrades do not include any fancy uni-ball arms or solid-mounted, NVH-elevating trickery. Almost all of the performance comes from the KW 3-way front and 4-way rear suspension upgrade. The grip level is staggering. There’s absolutely no suspension noise, no damper squelch, no squeaking, just the mad ability to ride all the lumps and bumps of the Nürburgring without losing composure. It eats up curbs with incredible finesse.

But this is part of the driver confidence-inspiring aspect of the conversion. This is all on purpose; it’s been engineered in. Audibly, it’s just like being in a conventional GT3 RS inside, albeit one that feels like it’s gone to the gym non stop for six months and has emerged a vision of peak performance.

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Not a word is said throughout the lap, but I’m sure I made some interesting grunts and sounds.

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Christoph’s driving is incredibly precise and the GT3 RS MR is able to reward him with alarmingly little steering input. He’s absolutely not fighting it, it’s working with him. It looks like he’s having a pretty leisurely Sunday drive, but what I can see happening to the left of me doesn’t translate to the forces my body is feeling. It’s like he’s driving a relatively mundane hatchback around at 60% pace, perfectly smoothly.

Christoph in this car is the embodiment of ‘smooth is fast’. The Manthey-Racing idea of allowing more performance to be unlocked all of the time looks to be working perfectly. The faster sections of the circuit defy physics. Fuchsröhre and Kesselchen are particularly mental. I’ve never been through those sections so fast before, and if there was a passenger camera in operation I’m sure I’d have been pulling some pretty ugly faces.

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We pass Mark and Ben observing trackside at Brünnchen, and I realise that my time in this car is almost over. It’d gone in the blink of an eye. The last third of the circuit is very quick but there’s some traffic, so I get the chance to digest what has just happened.

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As we exit the Nordschleife I relax and turn my crooked neck to Christoph and babble some incoherent expletives. He laughs and simply says “it’s quite good, isn’t it?”

This response sums up Manthey-Racing’s confidence and pride in their product. Everything that’s required to produce this sort of experience is a result of meticulous testing. There’s no other way to achieve it, you just can’t fake it. This particular car has endured more than 100 laps of testing; that’s more than all but the most die-hard Nürburgring fans complete in a lifetime. When you factor in the development time spent on the first gen GT3 RS MR package, plus that of the GT2 RS MR, it’s obvious why this car is such a polished performer.

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I have to keep reminding myself that the primary point of this car is not to achieve the fastest outright lap time with a god-like driver, it’s more about inspiring confidence in the everyday driver. To get the best from people; to give them the best experience. It’s a joy machine.

Christoph modestly explained it like this: “I’m not a professional driver; I am really an amateur. But maybe sometimes, on the right day with some confidence, I can produce a lap like a professional. That’s why we made this car. This package won’t punish you for exploring the limits, but it will reward your bravery if you do.” 

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For the record, I completely disagree with Christoph’s stance on his driving prowess, but that is the Manthey-Racing way, always  understated. Quietly under promise and hugely over perform.

Since returning to the comfort of my desk in the UK, I did a little digging on Mr Christoph Breuer. It turns out he really was being modest. His career highlights include; being the project manager for road car projects at Manthey-Racing. He’s CEO at Porsche Service Center Meuspath. He’s entered VLN endurance racing as early as 2005, battling in a starting field of over 100 cars. He’s also taken part in the arduous Nürburgring 24h race as far back as 2006, and then every year since. He’s been the team mate of Porsche factory drivers in the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup MR in VLN and 24H races in 2016, plus the team mate of Lars Kern in the Cayman GT4 Clubsport MR in VLN and 24h races in 2017 and 2018. He’s got over 100 race entries under hit belt and last but not least, he’s Manthey-Racing’s R&D driver.

That makes me sound like a stylish French private investigator, I’m not, in truth I just emailed Michael Grassl asking.

I’m kind of glad he didn’t tell me in the car in person, I’m just a moderately overweight guy in a black tee shirt and shorts.

The best thing about this whole GT3 RS MR idea is the thought that you could take a holiday to the Nürburgring and enjoy some laps, drop your car to Manthey-Racing for the conversion and explore the culture in the Eifel region for two days, collect your car and then lap again even faster with your newly MR-equipped GT3 RS. I might have just come up with the best package holiday ever invented.

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I went into this thinking that the GT3 RS MR is a pumped-up, maximum-attack enhanced version of the GT3 RS with extra power and a hairy driving experience. I was completely wrong.

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Rather than change the character of the stock GT3 RS, Manthey-Racing has enhanced it with the MR conversion. Not only making it a better version of itself, but allowing you get more from yourself too. It’s made to enable drivers to enjoy their own abilities and that is a wonderful thing.

Ryan Stewart
Instagram: 7.nth 
ryan@speedhunters.com

Photos by Mark Riccioni
Instagram: mark_scenemedia
mark@speedhunters.com

10 things you need to know about the GT3 RS MR:

  1. It is the ultimate track car.
  2. You can drive it safely and enjoy it without being a top-tier racing driver.
  3. Manthey-Racing redeveloped the entire rear wing system to mount directly to the chassis.
  4. Carbon fibre is used throughout, but painted in many places, which is the coolest thing you can do.
  5. Steel brake lines and Manthey-developed brake pads give staggering braking with zero noise.
  6. The conversion takes just two days at Manthey HQ.
  7. Manthey magnesium wheels save 12.6kg and you can choose from brilliant silver, platinum silver, satin black or gold.
  8. Getting the conversion means you can run that iconic ‘Manthey-Racing’ sun strip.
  9. Carbon aero discs supplement rear downforce and reduce drag for a higher top speed.
  10. You can order the suspension and brake components separate to the full MR package.
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1

It’s not just the history of Manthey-Racing and Olaf Manthey’s driving credentials that I love. It’s that Nico and Michael were super nice when helping with a set of tyres for my 106 Rallye during TF/Ringmeisters Prime. It doesn’t seem to matter whether you have an old French hatchback or a brand new GT2 RS, Manthey-Racing are car people to the absolute core. This ‘being nice’ approach likely keeps customers coming back time and time again. Maybe one day I’ll be in a position to buy a new GT3 RS, book it in for the MR package and take a few months off to hang in the Eifel region to do laps and laps of the Nordschleife. Until then, I’ll just look at these photos! Haha. Thanks for sharing Ry.

2

Wonderful!

Can anyone explain why the exhaust exit is downwards with a cap? Seems like it would create more backpressure, no?

Author3

Michael explained that the stock GT3 RS is close to some track fly-by limits with the stock tips. In good conditions this isn't an issue but when it is foggy or wet, the detected noise level can increase. The tips take 1-2 decibels off and bring it back under the limit.

As they do not affect performance, only noise, Manthey-Racing keep them on the car for testing.

Unfortunately they're not available to the public and cannot be purchased as part of the MR package. They are pretty cool though.

4

To suppress the decibel levels whilst on track

5

I like the 10 things you need to know at the bottom of the article.

6
Naveed Yousufzai

what a monster. love it!

7

What a Wonderful upgrade.
If only I can have one.

Author8

I thought the same! Anyone already with a GT3 RS or those who are thinking about buying one should try and get near this car, it's quite inspiring.

9

I just like that they named the car with my initials! I'll take an orange one please!

10

The idea that a 911 GT3 RS can't be improved on is total nonsense. I don't understand where this glorification of this brand comes from. It's so hilarious.

Start by removing the entire interior...free modification. Then get rid of the seats and switch them out for Kirkeys which are about 16lbs lighter a piece. Run 85, the list goes on and on and on.

What's alarming to me is how little people who associate with this brand actually understand car modifications. It is the definition of the "bought not built" crowd.

This is what happens when you aren't a racer. With no stop watch you will simply think a GT3 RS is the best thing around--because you're not getting beat by lighter, less expensive cars! Lol. These cars are a scam and appeal to people who don't understand hot rodding or don't race. This is why it's fast enough...owners are old and don't compete!

Author11

I'm not sure you'd want to bin the whole interior of a GT3 RS. While I agree that light, stripped out cars are really fun, I think you're absolutely missing the point of this story. I own a completely stripped BMW E30. It will run rings around E46 M3s at the track, but it's far too focussed to really enjoy on the street. The prospect of driving it to the Nürburgring from the UK, lapping and then driving home is exhausting.

This GT3 RS MR can do pretty much anything. You can drive all across Europe in comfort, stop off at any race track along the way and put down a blistering lap and carry on. All without touching the car setup or breaking a sweat. You cant do that in a stripped out Miata.

I'm assuming you're not in Germany by saying 'run 85', so it's easy to overlook the fact that this car meets TüV. Something your 'stripped out' race car will never do. It's a different game in Germany and when you start to look at this in a little more detail I hope you'll understand the car.

Yes it is a lot of money, no I cannot afford it but that doesn't stop me appreciating how good it is at doing precisely what Manthey-Racing has developed it to do.

12

I personally think anyone who is a real driver wouldn't buy this. This is a way for people to show off. Nothing more. No one is going on some grand tour and hitting all the race tracks in this. They take it out drive around with a car club, tell people how much money they spent and park it.

13

Have you ever been to the Nürburgring or Spa? Asking purely out of interest, since this is exactly what hardcore track day enthusiasts do.

Whether they own a Renault Clio, Caterham, Radical, BMW M3 or Porsche. Whatever. People get a little crew of their friends together and hit these tracks sometimes over a few days. The owners/operators of track day companies in Europe often co-ordinate with each other in a friendly way and one company will have a double header two day track event at Spa, then another will run a day or two days at the Nordschleife.

Manthey-Racing and Raeder Motorsport‘s car park is like a treasure trove of really wild Porsche, BMW, Seat, Audi cars that are what people might call ‘ring tools’ or ‘track tools’. Some of these cars are even owned by race car drivers who compete in VLN, N24, ex DTM guys who just don’t mention these cars on the internet, nor do they want to. All they care about is driving and going fast.

When you go to the Nürburgring there’s 70-year old dudes in open face helmets lapping the Green Hell all day in air conditioned Porsche GT3 heaven. They’re living their lives to the max and are proper drivers.

Also Raeder Motorsport have some very cool grass roots cars that you never see or here about.

Real drivers buy these cars and they don’t flex about it on Instagram. From enthusiasts to World RX drivers, these people are buying and using Porsche GT3s and MR package cars and doing sub 8-minute laps all day long. It’s honestly magical to see some of these cars being driven properly.

It polarises what you might think. These guys sometimes drive solo to the ring, do 30 laps in a day, don’t talk to anyone, don’t worry about what money they spend, then prep it for the next track day. They literally live for the track life, but are fortunate to earn probably twenty to a thousand times more money than I do and just love driving. £250,000 to them is like £25 to me. But they don’t boast about it. This community of people just want to go fast and sometimes, if you ask nicely, you’re lucky enough to grab a free passenger lap.

Real drivers do buy these cars and they’re sometimes kind enough to share this joy.

14
Christian Schmidt

;-) True words

15

So it's basically a kit for very rich people who bought "the ultimate track car" (this huge overstatement made me laugh) but can't drive it and don't want to learn how to. What is also quite ironic is the fact that the article begins with the fact that we normal people can't drive like professionals but still the car is presented and driven by a professional.
Even though the work done on the car looks impressive I don't know what's the point. The GT3 RS is for those who want a race car with a license plate. You can always buy another Porsche if you want something friendlier. If you pay for that huge price tag and the silly colour you obviously want the exagerration, no matter if you can match Rorhl's Ring time.

Author16

The point is to go faster than the GT3 RS. The GT3 RS MR is a GT3 RS+. What else would you buy that's faster around the ring and fully road legal for the money?

17

Radical SR8. Anything home built. That's a long long list of cars!

18

Depends on the country. But in any case, do you think the buyer of such a car willing to spend 40K to improve it, is looking for the cheapest option?

19

What if you want more than a gt3 but less than a gt2? Its purely optional and it does nothing but improve the vehicle so why care if people do it?

20

Agreed Nate. There’s a few in the minority that get trigged by these stories. Personally I love the sound of the GT3 and a GT2 would be way too much for me to get the best out of. Either way, I did a track day in my 106 Rallye last night and have definitely done some terminal damage to the motor, so I think a 991.2 GT3 RS MR package is likely off the table for a little while! Hahaha

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