The Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid starred at the Nürburgring 24-hour race. Photo courtesy Porsche Motorsport

Porsche Motorsports North America

No. 911: Timo Bernhard, Romain Dumas, Mike Rockenfeller

One of the most discussed and hotly anticipated debuts is the Porsche factory-supported 911 GT3 R Hybrid, which runs unclassified in its North American racing debut at Petit Le Mans. A full feature on the car is in the Petit Le Mans issue of “The Alley,” but suffices to say this is one of the technical marvels and pioneering engineering feats in sports car history.

This year’s overall winners at the 24 Hours of Le Mans have the privilege of driving the Porsche hybrid. Timo Bernhard, Romain Dumas and Mike Rockenfeller partnered for Audi – Bernhard and Dumas were loaned from Porsche – to take the overall win there and are looking to make a statement about a hybrid’s place on the grid here this weekend. Bernhard and Dumas each had a race apiece filling in for the injured Greg Pickett at Muscle Milk Team CytoSport, with Dumas winning the last race overall at Mosport driving with Klaus Graf. This is “Rocky’s” first ALMS start this season.