Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport coming to Oz

Porsche Cars Australia has confirmed it will import the Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport race car into Australia, where the brand expects the hard-core mid-engined coupe to attract more track-day enthusiasts than race teams.

Eligible for racing in the GT4 category, the new model is tipped to be priced from around $250,000 for the 'track day' variant, rising to around $300,000 for the 'competition' model grade.

Equipped with a naturally-aspirated 3.8-litre six-cylinder boxer engine, the lightweight 1320kg mid-engine race car can be raced in the Australian GT Championship, in the GT4 classes at the Bathurst 12 Hour or in state-based racing series.

Crucially, owners can get their 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport race cars serviced at any Porsche Centre, and the first vehicle will be in Australia from August 2019.

After the 911 GT3 Cup racer, the Cayman GT4 Clubsport is only the second Porsche race car to be imported to Australia. Currently there are around 100 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup race cars in this country, many of which race in the Carrera Cup which began in Australia in 2003.

"To date our complete focus for Australia has been on the 911 GT3 Cup race car, which features in both the Carrera Cup and GT3 Cup Challenge. From next month we will also offer the 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport," said Chris Jordan, head of public relations at Porsche Cars Australia.

"The 911 GT3 Cup remains our priority, but we see a place in the market for the 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport as a track day car and GT4 race car," he added.

Jordan said there was strong interest from individuals keen on owning a dedicated track-day car, including many Level 5 graduates of the Porsche Track Experience.

The Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport's 313kW/425Nm 3.8-litre donk drives the rear wheels through a six-speed dual-clutch transmission and a mechanical diff lock.

It comes from the factory with all the goodies required for racing, including a safety cage, race seat and six-point harness, and pilfers its lightweight front suspension from the 911 GT3 Cup car.

The up-spec Competition models add three-stage shock absorbers, a quick-release steering wheel, integrated air-jack system for pit stops and a long distance 115-litre fuel tank.

Porsche’s third customer race car after the 911 GT3 Cup and the newly revealed 911 RSR, the Clubsport racer is based on the Porsche Cayman GT4 road car that’s about to be launched globally (early next year in Australia).