Porsche is likely to make available its mid-engined 911 RSR to customers, according to Head of Porsche Motorsport Dr. Frank-Steffen Walliser, who admitted a higher-than-expected level of initial interest in the new-for-2017 GTE contender.

The car, which scored a podium finish in its competition debut in January’s Rolex 24 at Daytona, is being campaigned exclusively by the Manthey and CORE-run factory teams in the WEC and IMSA this year.

“We did not make a final decision on [customer cars], but we have a lot of people asking for them, a surprisingly high number,” Walliser told Sportscar365.

“I could definitely easier sell [911] RSRs than [911 GT3] Rs.

“We are preparing a business case at the moment and will, I hope in the next two or three months, make the final decisions. We should know following Le Mans.”

Walliser said there’s not only been requests from Europe to run the new car, but also from teams in the U.S. and Asia, although he wouldn’t elaborate any further.

It’s understood longtime Porsche entrant Proton Competition could order as many as four cars, to replace the German squad’s existing 2015-spec 911 RSRs.

“[Customer cars] is in the tradition of Porsche,” Walliser said. “I do not remember… I think the 919 [Hybrid] is the only car we did not offer to customers. All others have been in customer hands.

“At the end of the day, we have to sign contracts… But the real demand of the market, the first impression, is very good.”