Since its official announcement, the 911 Rally GT project has generated significant excitement, and it is now preparing to make its competitive debut—twice! Anthony Cosson will take the wheel at the Rallye Rhône-Charbonnières, a round of the French Asphalt Championship, while Cédric Cherain and Cédric De Cecco will aim to exploit its full potential in Belgium at the Rallye de Wallonie.
Only a few months separate the earliest drafts of the Rally GT project from the 911 Rally GT’s presence at the start of two Division 1 rallies. During that period, the creators of this latest-generation 911 have worked tirelessly to build and develop the 911 Rally GT. Following an extensive test session in the Vosges—which allowed numerous drivers to get behind the wheel, with development driver Kevin Abbring continuing his in-depth work—the car was submitted for homologation in Belgium. Now that this important milestone has been reached, it is time to officially take on the rally stages.
Testing and Development
“Since its presentation at the RACB Awards at the end of 2024, and then at Place McAuliffe in Bastogne, the car has been through extensive preparation,” says Lionel Hansen, responsible for the technical side of the project.
“In total, more than 2,000 kilometers were completed during various test sessions used to develop the car,” Hansen adds. “Among the drivers who took the wheel—besides Anthony Cosson, Cédric Cherain, and Cédric De Cecco—were Andreas Mikkelsen, Quentin Gilbert, and Raphaël Astier. This shows that nothing was left to chance. The first five 911 Rally GT kits have already been delivered, with the next five in production. Together with Yves Matton and Prospeed, led by Rudi Penders—who oversees commercial aspects and relations with Porsche Motorsport—we remain available for anyone seeking further information about the car.”
Competitive Debut
Chronologically, Friday will mark the 911 Rally GT’s first timed stages. Anthony Cosson and Kevin Millet will start at the popular Rallye Rhône-Charbonnières, ready for a full-scale battle in the highly competitive GT+ category. Facing strong opposition, Cosson—a seasoned Porsche specialist—will aim to showcase the full potential of the 911 Rally GT.
The next day, at the Rallye de Wallonie, the second round of the Belgian Rally Championship Division 1, two cars will line up: one for Cédric Cherain and Damien Withers, the other for Cédric De Cecco and Jérôme Humblet. On the Namur-based route, traditionally well-suited to RGT-category cars, the 911 Rally GTs are highly anticipated, especially now that direct comparisons with other GT cars will be possible.
Shakedowns and Further Testing
Ahead of these events, Anthony Cosson, Cédric Cherain, and Cédric De Cecco participated in a major test session organized in the Vosges a few weeks ago. The shakedown clearly thrilled the drivers, all eager to compete in this latest-generation Porsche. Additional tests followed, confirming their initial impressions.
It is also worth noting that on Wednesday, 7 May, a new test session will be held at the Jules Tacheny Circuit in Mettet, allowing other drivers to familiarize themselves with the 911 Rally GT. Although the list of interested and registered participants is nearly full, a few spots remain available. Enthusiasts take note.
Technical Highlights
The 911 Rally GT is powered by a naturally aspirated 4.0-liter six-cylinder engine, featuring a six-speed sequential paddle-shift gearbox, three-way adjustable suspension with hydraulic stops, adjustable Bosch Motorsport ABS and traction control, an FT3 fuel tank, lightweight polycarbonate windows, a removable multifunction steering wheel, FIA 8855-2021-compliant racing seats, and Michelin Competition Pilot Sport R GT-spec tires.
All eyes are now on the stages of the Rallye Rhône-Charbonnières and the Rallye de Wallonie as the 911 Rally GT prepares to demonstrate its competitive capabilities.
