Is Techart Done For?

Rumor has it that famous Porsche tuner TechArt has been caught with allegedly stolen prototype 997 GT2 engine parts. TechArt was raided by customs officals and was subsequently slapped with a 45million euro lawsuit by the car maker.

The press release from TechArt is as follows:

PRESS RELEASE

Comment on investigation in conjunction with thefts committed by Porsche AG employees Recently it has been reported that employees of the Porsche AG stole engines and parts from the Weissach development center and offered them on the open market.

Among others, TECHART has been part of an investigation and has become subject of numerous press reports.

TECHART comments on the facts as follows:

TECHART was offered one used Porsche 997 Turbo engine by a car dealer
located in Leonberg. TECHART purchased this engine with an official bill from that dealer and in good faith.

However, on evaluation TECHART found out that the delivered engine was not identical with the offered product and therefore returned the engine to the vendor. That engine was confiscated by the German prosecution authorities at the facilities of that car dealer.

TECHART did not have any knowledge of the origin of this engine. Other information, which have been released in some press reports are not true. Throughout the media it has been reported that several engines were seized at the facilities of TECHART. This is also not true.

TECHART has been surprised by this occurrence. Of course, TECHART will fully contribute to clarify all facts in this matter and to resolve all suspicions.

05.06.2007
TECHART Automobildesign GmbH
Phone: +49 (0)7152 9339-0
Fax: +49 (0)7152 9339-33
www.techart.de

Source: User dmendes over at the FerrariChat forums,

Friends Don't Let Friends Drive Their GT3

Bandit27 from VWvortex posted this gem. At a recent autox event up in Washington, a GT3 owner decided to see what kind of times his buddy could post in his car. After all, it couldn't hurt since his friend was one of the fastest drivers in their run group, right? Subsequently, the GT3 lost control as said friend accidentally hit the clutch instead of the brake pedal. We all know the GT3 comes with some of the best stoppers in the world - carbon ceramic brakes courtesy of Porsche. Everyone also knows, that in order for them to function, one must first depress the brake pedal.

Other casualties included a celica, WRX, and A3 hatchback that were unfortunate enough to be in the out of control supercar's path. This ordeal has left us with two burning questions: how does a guy with a $10,000 C4 afford the repair bill that comes with a wrecked GT3 and why weren't they running the Porsche on a road course instead of wasting it dodging cones in a parking lot?