So during the show do they admit the Cayman is a better designed car but detuned so it doesn't outperform the 911? As I put my flame suit on...
I know you're referring to the mid-engine rather than rear-engine, but consider this. The 911 is now 50 years old and is statistically the most successful race car ever built. The 997 GT3 Cup had more wins than any other marque or model, period. Include the GT3-RSR and then it's a whole other level.
I'm not disagreeing that mid-engined cars are better in the middle of the corner, but the 911 can get back on the gas faster on exit with all that weight over the back. Also, 911s have great straight-line speed, which matters at the most important race of the year - Le Mans.
With the Grand-Am and ALMS including the Cayman in the development category this year and United Sports Car Racing will have it next year, it will be interesting to see just how good the Cayman will be under race conditions. As a Porsche enthusiast and 911 owner, I can only hope for the best!
Side note: I was at the dealership a couple of months ago, in the drive up area talking to my sales guy and service guy about some customization that I was going to have done to the car (rear badging) when I heard an amazing roar. I turned around, and there was a brand new Cayman S that was gloss black with matte black racing stripes painted on it, that was just getting ready for the customer to pick it up (wow it was beautiful). After hearing the engine sound I asked, what engine is in that thing? 3.6? 3.4? Yep 3.4L flat 6 pushing 325 horses. The base Cayman has a 2.7L. Porsche did not detune the Cayman. In fact, if you look at the spec sheets and lap times, just the opposite. If it had the same 3.6L engine as the 911 base, would it beat it? Maybe, but I know that the Cayman (and Boxster) S vs. a base 991, the 991 wins every time (how do I know: many YouTube videos have demonstrated - Motor Trend, Drive, etc.) in both straight line and circuit lap times.
Is the mid-engined car a better design? Yes, why else would prototypes and supercars all be mid-engined? But all I'm saying is the 911 has stayed fundamentally the same for 50 years, and all other sports cars are still having trouble beating it (mind you, in recent years "Balance of Performance" has come into play in sports car racing).