Test Drive: Porsche 911 GTS Cabriolet

Porsche has constantly improved their venerable 911 over decades of development and for many hardcore car enthusiasts; it’s the only sportscar that really matters. Porsche has also managed to offer a wide range of 911 models to their customers, from the base Carrera coupe to Cabriolet, Targa and all-wheel drive versions, which are all available with the flat-six engine in different states of tune. Porsche also mixes and matches these various iterations, with no less than 18 different 911 models currently available that range from around $82,000 to $172,000 in price and from 350 to 530 horsepower. This is not even considering the hardcore GT3 and GT2 models, which are in-between models and not officially available right now. There’s not a bad one in the bunch, but I grew particularly fond of the GTS version after driving it for a week.

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HENZLER, PORSCHE TAKES GT2 HONORS AT LE MANS

Photo Credit: Rick DolePorsche wins in class for first time since 2007

Porsche factory driver Wolf Henzler won at the 24 Hours of the Le Mans for the first time Sunday, the German winning in GT2 for Team Felbermayr Proton and its Porsche 911 GT3 RSR. Henzler - who drives for Team Falken Tire with Bryan Sellers in the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patron - won by two laps with Marc Lieb and Richard Lietz.

Porsche won at Le Mans in GT2 for the first time since 2007. As was the case throughout the race, GT2 was a battle of attrition. The leading Risi Competizione Ferrari F430 fell out in the 10th hour, and Corvette Racing’s two factory Corvette C6.Rs retired within three hours of each other.

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Test Drive: Porsche 911 Carrera S with PDK

The Porsche 911 has to be the single most recognizable car model in the world. Ferrari may have more widespread brand awareness even in obscure countries, but there are probably more people that recognize the “911” model designation than those that identify “F430” or a “599 GTB” as Ferrari’s. Porsche has used the 911 moniker since the car was introduced over four decades ago and has stayed incredibly consistent with its overall design and layout. It’s clear when comparing a modern 911 to a 30-40 year old 911 that they’re the same model from the same car company.

Porsche has also made the 911 famous through racing, as it’s the single most popular model that has been raced over the last few decades and they’re on tracks everywhere, from Porsche Club of America racing through ALMS and everywhere in between. In 2009, Porsche’s won championships in ALMS, World Challenge and Grand Am here in the U.S., often against higher-horsepower cars or more “purpose-built” racing machinery that has little connection to their street car counterparts, which the 911 certainly does.

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HSR Cayman Interseries

[PHOTO GALLERY]

Well, my little trip out to Sebring to check out the HSR Sebring Fall Classic was met with a near total washout. I had decided to head over to the track on Friday since the cars would be running late and in hopes of catching some sunset shooting. Well, in order to have a sunset, first you’ve got to have sun. On this day… not so much.

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Sports Car Insider Five Questions: Melanie Snow

Photos by John Thawley
You meet Melanie Snow and you know you’re meeting one of the “good guys.” She’s charming, attractive, has an infectious smile and, given half a chance, she’ll kick your ass on any one of the finest sport car tracks in the country. Charming, attractive, infectious smile aside, Melanie knows how to win.

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