Could we see a mid-engined 911 racing in 2017? According to this story in Sportscar365, it a possibility. Porsche apparently is taking 2016 off from the full factory GTE support in the FIA WEC series to get working on the 2017 911RSR model. Development has already been underway with on-track testing targeted for the middle of 2016.
Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the article is the acknowledgement that Porsche has looked seriously at a mid-engined concept and has spoken with the FIA about the idea of moving the engine more forward than the road version of the car. There surely will be a vigorous discussion and debate about the rules and the Balance of Performance. Recent experiences with the BMW Z4 and Ford GT will either help Porsche’s case or give ammunition to argue against waivers.
Presumably, Porsche is wedded to the rear-engine platform of the 911 for marketing purposes which makes moving the engine forward for racing purposes a bit tricky. The Cayman mid-engined platform appears to be reserved for customers and club racers rather than a full factory platform.
Rumors have circulated for years about a Ferrari figher non-hybrid 918 type platform, known as the 960 or 961. Early 2013 was really the last time anyone made noise about such a prospect. Could the end result be a resurrection of the GT1 platform? Stranger things have happened. If the crowds surrounding the GT1 and GT1-98 at the Rennsport Reunion are any indicator, there still is an incredible aura around those platforms.