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The Tuthill Porsche 997 R-GT car survived a dramatic weekend on ADAC Rallye Deutschland, round nine of the 2015 World Rally Championship and the third round of the 2015 FIA R-GT Cup.
The familiar driver pairing of François Delecour and Dominique Savignoni again had the reins of the Tuthill 997. One other R-GT was entered: the 997 GT3 RS of Romain Dumas. While Delecour’s intention was to run a steady pace aimed at maintaining his R-GT Cup championship lead, this was jeopardised early on day one by two separate off-road excursions. Repaired during lunchtime service, the 997 rejoined for the afternoon stages, but then stopped on the road before the day’s final test due to radiator damage.
Starting day two under WRC ‘Super Rally’ regulations, Delecour again set out to drive with the championship firmly in mind, but a problem with pace notes on the Panzerplatte stage brought the car within metres of destruction, when it crashed into woodland having entered a corner at twice the ideal speed. Car and crew escaped without serious injury. The 997 R-GT completed the rally, with Delecour retaining his lead in the R-GT Cup.
“Despite the ups and downs of this crazy weekend, the car has survived and we still lead the championship,” said team boss Richard Tuthill. “A busy few weeks lie ahead, with a UK outing on the Promenade Stages Rally driven by John Stone, followed by the WRC Tour De Corse at the start of October. We remain focussed on the rest of the season.”
