Porsche considers entry-level GT racer

Porsche has ambitions to build an entry-level GT racer that could result in a GT4 contender based on its Cayman model.

Outgoing Porsche Motorsport boss Hartmut Kristen has revealed that the German manufacturer has tested a racing version of its Cayman coupe. Kristen said that this was part of plans to produce a car below its existing range of GTE, GT3 and one-make cup racers based on the 911. Sources suggest that such a car would be produced to fit the GT4 regulations.

"Not every one wants 600hp, lots of downforce and a car costing 500,000 euros [$625,000]," he said. "We have had a look to see if there is something we could do below that for our customers."

Kristen would not, however, confirm rumors that this would definitely include producing a version of the new car for GT4.

"Whatever it is, it has to be more affordable, less sophisticated and probably more fun," he continued.

Kristen insisted that any plans for such a car were at an early stage.

"We built a concept car to see what it was would take, but there was no significant testing," he explained.

Should Porsche produced a GT4 Cayman, it would not be the first time that this model has raced internationally: privately-developed Cayman racers took part in the 2013 Grand-Am series in the GX class.

BMW has also indicated interest in GT4, a market in which is was formerly represented with the E92-shape M3 GT4. BMW Motorsport boss Jens Marquardt said that he was looking "at where exactly GT4 is heading." He explained that BMW could produce a GT4 car out of its new-for-2014 M235i Racing one-make endurance racer or potentially the M3 or M4.

Stephane Ratel, the originator of the GT4 concept, welcomed the interest of Porsche and BMW in the category.

"We are suffering a little bit from a lack of new machinery, so when I have the GT3 manufacturers around the table I am always pushing a little bit for them to build GT4 cars," he said.

News of Porsche and BMW's interest in the GT4 category comes at a time when Ratel has working on the idea of separate GT3 and GT4 races for the British GT Championship at selected rounds.