Roock Racing
Encyclopedia
Roock Racing is an auto racing
team based in Leverkusen
Germany
that was highly successful in numerous sportscar and endurance racing series during the 1990s. The team was founded in 1984 by brothers Fabian and Michael Roock.
. The team's winning drivers were Ralf Kelleners
, Guy Martinolle and Bruno Eichmann.
At the 1997 24 Hours of LeMans
, Roock's Porsche 911 GT2 driven by André Ahrle
, Andy Pilgrim
and Bruno Eichmann finished second in its class, only one lap behind Elf Haberthur Racing's Porsche 911. At the 1998 24 Hours of LeMans
, Roock Racing finished third in the GT2 class. That's year 911 GT2 was drven by Claudia Hürtgen
, Michel Ligonnet and Robert Nearn. In 1999, the Roock
Roock Racing's Porsches differed greatly from factory GT2s in order to keep their cars competitive. The cars were developed in-house by Mike Gramke. By 1998, Roock's 911 GT2 sported a 600 HP 3.8 engine, sequential Gemini gearbox, Thielert engine management, repositioned radiators and fuel tank, tracks increased by 7 cm, a lightened and reinforced Matter tub and revised air circulation with specific floors. They are the lightest 993 GT2s ever built and at the 1998 Le Mans race they weighed only 1060 kg.
In 1997, the inaugural season of the FIA GT Championship
, Roock's Porsches finished in second and third place in their class at LeMans. During the 1997 season, the team celebrated four class wins and shared the championship in the GT2 class. In 1998, Roock Racing faced the increasing dominance of the Chrysler Viper GTS-R but could still won a share of the championship.
. In 1993, the team had its first major success as drivers Christian Fittipaldi
, Uwe Alzen
and Jean-Pierre Jarier
won the 24-hour race at Spa-Francorchamps and also won the team title in the Porsche Carrera Cup. In 1994, Roock Racing's Alzen won the 1994 Porsche Supercup
. Alzen and Ralf Kelleners
also drove for Roock in the ADAC GT Cup. Kelleners secured the championship in 1994 and won the title again in 1995.
In 2004, Roock Autosport released its Porsche RST 650, a custom Porsche 911 The RST's modified engine produced 650 hp at 6560 RPM and 620 lb.-ft of torque at 4960 RPM, putting it firmly among the world's fastest supercars at the time. Car & Driver magazine
reviewed the RST 650 in its April 2004 issue and gave the car high marks, saying "it's the kind of explosive ferocity you expect 650 horsepower to feel like. And in this case, the high-performance feel translated directly to the test track, where the Roock Porsche posted world-class supercar numbers."
The RST 600 LM included upgraded turbochargers, a titanium exhaust system, and an upgraded ECU good for just over 600 horsepower and 611 lb-ft torque. Performance numbers were a claimed 3.1 second sprint to 60 mph and a top end of 211 mph. Roock also added a carbon fiber clutch, fully tuned suspension, and massive 380mm drilled and vented brakes. Inside, the RST 600 LM got carbon fiber trim, oil and temperature gauges, and custom seats with four point harnesses. Finally, subtle exterior modifications were added including a new front splitter, rear diffuser, rear spoiler, and lightweight aluminum racing wheels.
Auto racing
Auto racing is a motorsport involving the racing of cars for competition. It is one of the world's most watched televised sports.-The beginning of racing:...
team based in Leverkusen
Leverkusen
Leverkusen is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany on the eastern bank of the Rhine. To the South, Leverkusen borders the city of Cologne and to the North is the state capital Düsseldorf....
Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
that was highly successful in numerous sportscar and endurance racing series during the 1990s. The team was founded in 1984 by brothers Fabian and Michael Roock.
24 Hours of LeMans
Roock Racing's Porsche 911 won the GT2 class at the 1996 24 Hours of LeMans1996 24 Hours of Le Mans
The 1996 24 Hours of Le Mans was the 64th Grand Prix of Endurance, and took place on June 15 and 16 1996.-Race:The 1996 race was won by a car that was considered by Porsche to not be a factory-backed entry, instead run by Joest Racing...
. The team's winning drivers were Ralf Kelleners
Ralf Kelleners
Ralf Kelleners is a race driver from Germany.His father Helmut Kelleners was also a race driver, winning the Spa 24 Hours and the 24 Hours Nürburgring.-External links:*...
, Guy Martinolle and Bruno Eichmann.
At the 1997 24 Hours of LeMans
1997 24 Hours of Le Mans
The 1997 24 Hours of Le Mans was the 65th Grand Prix of Endurance, and took place on June 14 and 15 1997.-Pre-race:The Dunlop chicane was modified slightly in order to slow speeds again but also accommodate larger gravel traps as runoff area for the protection of motorcycle riders using the Bugatti...
, Roock's Porsche 911 GT2 driven by André Ahrle
André Ahrle
Andre Ahrle is a racing driver born in Germany.In 2001 he drove in the FIA GT Championship for the Larbre Porsche team, on a Porsche 996 GT3-R. He also filled in for other drivers in various series in 1999, 2000 and 2002....
, Andy Pilgrim
Andy Pilgrim
Andy Pilgrim is a British-born racing driver, whobecame a United States citizen in 1998. He began racing an IMSA Renault Cup Renault Alliance in the 80's. His serious professional racing began in 1996 when he made his 24 Hours of Le Mans debut. He joined the Chevrolet Corvette factory team in...
and Bruno Eichmann finished second in its class, only one lap behind Elf Haberthur Racing's Porsche 911. At the 1998 24 Hours of LeMans
1998 24 Hours of Le Mans
The 1998 24 Hours of Le Mans was the 66th Grand Prix of Endurance, and took place on June 6 and 7 1998.-Race:1998 saw a significant increase in manufacturer involvement. Porsche and Mercedes-Benz remained, with upgraded cars in both GT1 and LMP. Toyota sent three of their new, extremely fast...
, Roock Racing finished third in the GT2 class. That's year 911 GT2 was drven by Claudia Hürtgen
Claudia Hürtgen
Claudia Hürtgen is a German race driver. Along with Ellen Lohr and Sabine Schmitz, she is one of Germany's best known female racers.Hürtgen started her career in karting and moved to German Formula 3...
, Michel Ligonnet and Robert Nearn. In 1999, the Roock
Roock Racing's Porsches differed greatly from factory GT2s in order to keep their cars competitive. The cars were developed in-house by Mike Gramke. By 1998, Roock's 911 GT2 sported a 600 HP 3.8 engine, sequential Gemini gearbox, Thielert engine management, repositioned radiators and fuel tank, tracks increased by 7 cm, a lightened and reinforced Matter tub and revised air circulation with specific floors. They are the lightest 993 GT2s ever built and at the 1998 Le Mans race they weighed only 1060 kg.
GT2 Racing
Beginning in 1996, Roock Racing joined the BPR Global GT Series season and scored several GT2 class wins. That same year was the team's first participation in the 24-hour race at Le Mans, where it won its class.In 1997, the inaugural season of the FIA GT Championship
FIA GT Championship
The FIA GT Championship was a sports car racing series organized by the Stéphane Ratel Organisation at the behest of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The championship was mostly concentrated in Europe, but throughout the years has visited other continents including Asia and South...
, Roock's Porsches finished in second and third place in their class at LeMans. During the 1997 season, the team celebrated four class wins and shared the championship in the GT2 class. In 1998, Roock Racing faced the increasing dominance of the Chrysler Viper GTS-R but could still won a share of the championship.
American LeMans Series
In 2000, Roock entered its Porsche GT 2 in the American Le Mans Series, a new race league. In the 2001 season, the team debuted with a Roock Racing Lola B2K/40 in the LMP675 class. There, the team narrowly missed the championship and again finished second in the team standings. Roock Racing ceased its motorsports activities after the 2001 season. Michael Roock formed Roock Sport System GmbH in Germany while Fabian Roock opened Roock Autosport in the U.S.Porsche Carrera Cup
Roock began by racing in the Porsche Carrera CupPorsche Carrera Cup
Porsche Carrera Cup is a number of one-make sports car racing series competed with Porsche 911 Carreras, including the following:-Regional:...
. In 1993, the team had its first major success as drivers Christian Fittipaldi
Christian Fittipaldi
Christian Fittipaldi is a Brazilian racing driver who has competed in various forms of motorsport including Formula One, Champ Car and NASCAR...
, Uwe Alzen
Uwe Alzen
Uwe Alzen is a German racing driver specialised in touring car racing and sports car racing....
and Jean-Pierre Jarier
Jean-Pierre Jarier
Jean-Pierre Jacques Jarier is a French Grand Prix racing driver, now retired. He was born at Charenton-le-Pont, near Paris, and is regarded as one of the finest drivers never to win a Grand Prix....
won the 24-hour race at Spa-Francorchamps and also won the team title in the Porsche Carrera Cup. In 1994, Roock Racing's Alzen won the 1994 Porsche Supercup
Porsche Supercup
The Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup is the international motor racing series supporting the FIA Formula One World Championship organized by Porsche AG....
. Alzen and Ralf Kelleners
Ralf Kelleners
Ralf Kelleners is a race driver from Germany.His father Helmut Kelleners was also a race driver, winning the Spa 24 Hours and the 24 Hours Nürburgring.-External links:*...
also drove for Roock in the ADAC GT Cup. Kelleners secured the championship in 1994 and won the title again in 1995.
Roock Autosport
In 1999, Fabian Roock created Roock Autosport, a tuning company specializing in water-cooled Porsches.In 2004, Roock Autosport released its Porsche RST 650, a custom Porsche 911 The RST's modified engine produced 650 hp at 6560 RPM and 620 lb.-ft of torque at 4960 RPM, putting it firmly among the world's fastest supercars at the time. Car & Driver magazine
Car and Driver
Car and Driver is an American automotive enthusiast magazine. Its total circulation is 1.31 million. It is owned by Hearst Magazines, who purchased prior owner Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S. in 2011...
reviewed the RST 650 in its April 2004 issue and gave the car high marks, saying "it's the kind of explosive ferocity you expect 650 horsepower to feel like. And in this case, the high-performance feel translated directly to the test track, where the Roock Porsche posted world-class supercar numbers."
Roock RST 600 LM
In 2008, Roock announced its newest custom Porsche, the RST 600 LM. The 600 LM was designed to commemorate Roock Racing's win at the 1996 24 Hours of LeMans.The RST 600 LM included upgraded turbochargers, a titanium exhaust system, and an upgraded ECU good for just over 600 horsepower and 611 lb-ft torque. Performance numbers were a claimed 3.1 second sprint to 60 mph and a top end of 211 mph. Roock also added a carbon fiber clutch, fully tuned suspension, and massive 380mm drilled and vented brakes. Inside, the RST 600 LM got carbon fiber trim, oil and temperature gauges, and custom seats with four point harnesses. Finally, subtle exterior modifications were added including a new front splitter, rear diffuser, rear spoiler, and lightweight aluminum racing wheels.