BBS Archives

“Win on Sunday, sell on Monday.” The saying that has driven race programs since the 1950s still drives us today.

We race using components from the same technical partners we offer to our customers. Below are a few examples on the 311RS Porsche 997 GT3 Cup.

We’ve ran with Girodisc since 2006 and proud to continue this with a set of their lightweight two-piece brake rotors, seen here though a set of our gold BBS Motorsport E88s.

We’ve ran JRZ Suspension single, 2-way, and 3-way adjustable dampers throughout our 11 year partnership with JRZ. For the first time however, we’re running a set of 4-way JRZ Motorsports on our 997 GT3 Cup.

We’ve got them dialed in with support from Goldcrest Motorsports and engineer Bryan Hise.

There are no words to describe how proud we are to see the 311RS logo inside a factory Porsche 911 race car.

Look further inside the 311RS Porsche 997 GT3 Cup and you’ll find our signature Black Watch Tartan covering the cushions of the driver’s seat.

We took delivery of the 2008 GT3 Cup earlier last year, with the original 2008-dated seat still intact.

To comply with PCA Club Racing rules, we installed a 2019-dated Recaro Pro Racer HANS – an affordable option from Recaro to get us going before upgrading to their 1300 GT seat in 2021.

Schroth Racing provides every factory Porsche 911 race car that leaves the factory with 6 point harnesses. And it’s easy to see why, they are lightweight, durable, and easy to operate.

We upgraded to 2019-dated Profi II harnesses in black with custom silver patches for a clean look.

Overseeing day to day operations, Lucia continues to run a tight ship for us here at 311RS. Below are a list of products featured in this week’s round up.

–BBS E88 wheels

–Girodisc brake rotors

–JRZ Suspension dampers

–Recaro seats

–Schroth Racing harnesses

On July 27th, 2019, Ryan Gates drove the 2008 311RS Porsche GT3 Cup to Overall victory in both Sprint races of the PCA Club Race at BIR, setting two GTC4 class records in the process.

A huge thank you is in order to all who played a role in the team during our first outing together, great teamwork everyone!

-GTC4 Qualifying Record – 1:40.0

-GT4 Sprint Race Record – 1:39.3

Our next race is in four weeks at Road America for another PCA Club Race. With over 150 drivers already registered, we are not taking any chances in preparation of the car – we are working on an upgrade package leading up to the event.

Thank you once more to all those who have helped us make this weekend a reality, here’s to many more just like it.

Photos courtesy of Peter Lapinski

There is not much else like summer at Road America. For 2017, we made the trek 5hrs east with 6 Porsches in tow. And we’re happy to report the event was a success.

Please enjoy Peter Lapinski‘s killer photo set and accompanying notes from our time in Elkhart Lake, WI.

Road America would be the first time on track for this car since our trip to Smokies in April. The setup performed well during our time in Georgia, the only change being a flush of Castrol SRF brake fluid. Together with Girodisc’s PCCB rotor conversion & Pagid brake pads, the setup is built to cope with the huge braking zones of Road America.

Cold pressure check prior to the first session with red.

Luis and his 991 GT3 by 311RS made their way from Chicago to join us for the event.

Those E88s get us every time.

Next to it, Tom’s 311RS-prepared 997.1 GT3. Road America would be the second track event for the car under our supervision. It was great to drive at BIR, but there is nothing like a GT3 at Road America.

Both of these 991 GT3s run a modified version of the 991R diffuser. Road America would be a good testbed for the (hopefully) improved aero.

Ryan made the trip with his 930 – just under 5hrs from door to door. Is this the best road trip car of all time? We think yes.

On-track is where the action was. These two had many nice battles throughout the event. A well-driven 997 GT3 is not easily left behind.

Of course everyone is a winner if they’re driving a 311RS-prepared GT3.

As part of our driver development program, Ryan is in & out of the cars throughout the event keeping each driver on task.

For a few of the guys it was their first time at Road America. The download following each session is equally as important as what we install on track. “You’ve got to use the entire track, just as you would finish an entire beer.” I believe was the discussion here.

Somebody listens well…

For others, it comes naturally.

Bruce was absolutely crushing it all week with his 991 GT3.

He was running an updated chassis setup for the event. Tire wear would indicate we were within range. His only feedback -“I need 200hp more!” Soon enough, I’m sure.

Dial #411 (or 612-547-9311) for more information.

This car is at home on the long, flowing layout of Road America. The wider 19″ BBS & Michelin tire setup on #411 allows the driver to explore his limits with loads of confidence, seen here pushing into the carousel.

And mid-carousel.

If you could only hear the Akrapovic setup on exit of Turn 3…

Our next event is in a few weeks at BIR – it’s the annual National PCA Club Race. It’d be great to say we’ll be in the race, however this year our cars will be relegated to the DE event. See you there!

Photos courtesy of Peter Lapinski

Porsche season has officially arrived in Minnesota.

For 2017, Nord Stern hosted it’s annual Spring Fling event on April 28-30th at Brainerd International Raceway. PCA wisely runs the 3.1 mile Donnybrooke layout – nearly 50 years after the facility opened in 1968, “Donnybrooke Speedway” still makes for a great proving ground.

A 1 mile straightaway to start the season? We’ll take it.

We have a few fresh faces in the crew for 2017 – including Tom’s 2008 997.1 GT3. This weekend would be it’s first outing after our preparation during winter break – click to see before & after. These GT3s in particular (2007-2008) have a special place in our hearts, so it was a real treat to see it through the process and onto the track.

Ryan’s 1987 930 was on hand to start the year. Sadly, no track time for this one – it’s been relegated to cheerleading duty for 2017. It does a great job of looking pretty, however. So all is not lost.

The #69 311RS makes a return for 2017, this time on a Polar Silver 1996 993 C2. John sent his Forest Green metallic 964 packing just before winter and emerged with this 3.8L beauty. What a stud.

Rich added a 2009 997 Turbo to his garage late-summer 2016. It’s a great driver for him, and and as he would soon find out, real quick on track. The car received a full set of two-piece Girodisc rotors along with fresh pads all around prior being introduced to BIR.

Friday’s schedule is built around PCA’s Driver Education course – a must for any new member to PCA who plans to enjoy their Porsche on track. We introduced two new members to the club for 2017 and it’s safe to say they are hooked. Sorry guys!

Each driver is assigned a PCA-certified instructor to guide them through the process. The day’s schedule begins in the class, then moves to the skidpad for cone drills. The part everyone is here for, track time, runs for the rest of the day with the instructor by the driver’s side. It’s an awesome experience for new drivers.

Those drivers that have taken the course previously enjoy a relaxing Friday.

Saturday is a different story. We hit it hard and get to work sorting the cars.

The 3.8lL engine in John’s 993 is a gem. It’s built using 993 RS engine & drivetrain components, which in combination with a gearing change, makes for one hell of a drive.

The 993 RS trend continues with brakes, wheels, and aero pieces each from the European-market 993. This setup is bound to evolve in time, however it’s in a great place to begin the season. It’s so fun.

Saturday ends with some good old fashioned team work. Turn 1 at BIR is really tough on the left hand tires, it’s nearly flat out at 150mph+. A quick swap side to side and the tires wear very nicely.

A close up look at tire wear of a fresh Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2.

Lots of arms crossed fellas…

Sundays at the track, nothing else like it.

Rich was crushing it during his first weekend at the track. The 997 Turbo ate up BIR’s long, flowing Donnybrooke layout with Rich attacking out of the box. It was awesome to watch.

Tom and his 311RS-prepared 997 GT3 ran smoothly all weekend. The car is nicely setup for a mix of street & track use – not too much, and not too little of anything. I think we all fell for the car during the course of the weekend.

Our initial setup for the car produced nice, flat cornering and took advantage of the extra grip of the meaty Sport Cup 2s all around.

Part of the fun is getting to know the car. Here, Ryan explains to Tom how to properly engage 6th gear before entering Turn 1.

993s are just perfect – they are just the right balance between vintage and modern. They feel good, sound good, and they’re fast. John’s especially.

Heading into May it looks we’ve got a bunch more driving to look forward to. A thank you to the folks at Nord Stern for hosting the event. We had a great time, see you at Road America.

Summer is around the corner, is your Porsche ready? Make it a point to get it right, contact us to book your time with 311RS. Imported from Stuttgart, refined in Minneapolis.

Photos courtesy of Peter Lapinski.