[thstone]

I always thought that Boxster's (and other race cars with production-style bumper covers) typically used the metal tow hoop to easily place the tow pivot point outside of the bumper cover (to allow the tow truck strap to pivot at various towing angles without contacting or placing stress on the bumper cover itself).

A tow strap that mounts at the bumper mount would create a pivot point inside the bumper cover which may result in the tow strap contacting or placing force on the bumper cover if the tow angle isn't nearly straight.

To avoid this situation with a tow strap, the metal portion of the strap mount is typically extended so it spans the distance from the mounting point to being flush with the bumper cover. If you have to use a metal mount to bring the pivot point flush with or outside the bumper cover, then the strap might be viewed as somewhat redundant.

But at the end of the day, either way can work.