2015 Porsche 911 on 2040-cars

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Porsche shows off Cayman GT4 Clubsport in new video

Amateur racers rejoiced last week when Porsche unveiled a track-ready version of the Cayman GT4 at the 2015 LA Auto Show. Now, the company is doing a bit of publicity for the new track car, featuring the race-ready Clubsport video in a stylish, 53-second video clip. There's not a lot to it, to be honest. We see the GT4 Clubsport, we hear it briefly, but that's about it. So if you were hoping that we'd finally get a look at the stripped down cabin, we're sorry to disappoint you. Still, it's good to see Porsche's newest track car in motion for the first time. For those that need a refresher, the GT4 Clubsport retains the standard car's 3.8-liter flat-six engine, but pairs it with the company's super-fast dual-clutch transmission. Combined with basic safety equipment – racing buckets, six-point harnesses, a full roll cage, and a fire suppression system – and suspension components from the company's other entry level racer, the 911 GT3 Cup, and you get a race-ready, mid-engined coupe for the reasonable sum of $165,000. Related Video:

Race Recap: 2013 Petit Le Mans draws curtain on the ALMS [spoilers]

The 16th Petit Le Mans Powered By Mazda, in the final year of the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón, was run on Saturday. Even though many of this year's championships had already been decided, the last ALMS race ever would be a 10-hour, 1,000-mile slog around Road Atlanta to get names in the record books and decide a few series trophies.
Since some of you will only get around to your TIVOs (or Fox Sports coverage) today, you should stop reading now if you don't want to know who did what...

Mark Webber gets early clearance for Porsche departure

If there's no rest for the wicked, there's surely even less rest for the wickedly fast. And make no mistake about it, Mark Webber is wickedly fast. He may not have proven able (or given the opportunity, depending on who you ask) to emerge from Sebastian Vettel's shadow after six seasons partnered with the multiple world champion at Red Bull Racing, but he's still won nine Formula One grands prix, to say nothing of the sports car races he won with Mercedes in the late 90s. But now he's leaving F1 to anchor Porsche's new LMP1 program, and according to the latest reports, he's departing Red Bull for Porsche sooner than expected.
Typically an F1 driver is obliged to stay with his team until the end of the calendar year - not just the end of the racing season - helping out with things like promotional events and fine-tuning next year's car. But news.com.au reports that Red Bull has given him early leave, so once the racing action in Brazil is done on Sunday, he's departing straight for Porsche's racing headquarters in Wiessach, Germany.
It won't be Webber's first visit to the facility, having already swung by to have his new seat fitted. But his early arrival will undoubtedly help him and Porsche get up and running ahead of schedule. The move may have been facilitated by a new sponsorship deal that could see Webber carry Red Bull with him to Le Mans, so don't be too surprised to see the energy drink company's logo on the side of the new Porsche once the new racing season gets under way next year, whether in concert with or instead of the anticipated revival of the Martini Racing livery.