The Porsche LMP2 was originally planned to make it's first debut at the 2005 Petit Lemans in the ALMS but rescheduled to race at Laguna Seca the last race of the series. And what a debut it turned out to be coming 1st in the LMP2 and almost taking 1st place overall in front of the powerful Audi R8.

With the RS Spyder – the first Porsche built exclusively for motorsport since the Le Mans winning GT1 ‘98 from 1998 – Porsche makes a comeback to prototype racing.

Powering the RS Spyder is a newly-developed 90-degree V8 endurance racing engine, fitted with a mandatory air restrictor for running in the American Le Mans Series. The unit delivers around 480 hp from a 3.4-litre capacity.

The six-speed sequential constant-mesh gearbox with a triple-disc carbon fibre racing clutch is a structural part of the chassis and is operated by a paddle shift system on the steering wheel. Like the Porsche Carrera GT, the RS Spyder‘s chassis is constructed of carbon fibre. Attached to this extremely strong yet lightweight frame is the front double-wishbone suspension.

The brake system consists of twin master cylinders, and internally vented carbon brake discs measuring 380 mm at the front and 355 mm at the rear. Brake balance is adjustable from the cockpit. As integral partner in the car’s development process, Michelin supplies the race tyres for the Porsche prototype.

In compliance with the 2006 ALMS and A.C.O. regulations, the RS Spyder weighs in at 775 kilograms. The development engineers achieved the minimum permissible weight through a highly integrated lightweight concept, without the extensive use of exotic and hence expensive materials.

The board of Porsche AG gave the race department the order to develop the RS Spyder, following an initiative from Porsche Cars North America (PCNA). Work started in November 2004. Already by mid-October 2005, Penske Motorsports won the LMP2 class with the RS Spyder at its first test outing, the ALMS season-final in Laguna Seca. Penske Motorsports runs the RS Spyder in 2006 flying the corporate colours of main-sponsor DHL Smart & Global Mail

Technical data - Porsche RS Spyder

Concept:
Two-seater sports prototype in compliance with the 2006 A.C.O. regulations

Engine:
90 degree V8 engine, 3,397 ccm;
Power output 480 bhp (353 kW) at 10,300 rpm;
Max. torque 370 Nm at 7,500 rpm;
44mm air restrictor;
Four valves per cylinder;
Dry sump lubrication;
Oil/water heat exchanger;
Fuel injection (multipoint, sequential);
Electronic engine management Bosch MS 4.2;
Fuel quality: Super Plus (motorsport specification);

Power Transmission:
Porsche-developed six-speed spur-gear constant-mesh gearbox, longitudinally
Electro-pneumatic system operated by switches on steering wheel
Oil/water heat exchanger
Triple-disc carbon-fibre racing clutch by ZF Sachs
Mechanical locking differential
Traction control
Rear-wheel drive

Chassis:
Carbon-fibre reinforced monocoque;
Three-point air-jack system;
Adjustable rear wing;
Six-point seat belt prepared for use with Head And Neck Support Safety System (HANS);
Detachable steering wheel;
Fire extinguishing system;
90-litre tank capacity with quick refilling system;
Helmet protection in compliance with FIA and A.C.O. regulations;

Suspension:
Front axle: Double triangular control arms;
ZF Sachs four-way spring/damper units activated by pushrods; Torsion-bar springs; Adjustable roll bar, blade type; Power assisted rack-and-pinion steering

Rear axle:
Double triangular control arms; ZF Sachs four-way spring/damper units activated by pushrods; Torsion-bar springs; Adjustable roll bar, blade type; Entire suspension variably adjustable (camber, toe, height)

Brakes:
Brake system with dual master cylinders and variable brake force distribution; Six-piston aluminium fixed callipers, front; Internally vented carbon-fibre brake discs 380 mm; Six-piston aluminium fixed callipers,
rear: Internally vented carbon-fibre brake discs 355 mm

Weight:
Dry weight 775 kg in accordance with A.C.O. regulations)

The two Penske-prepared Porsche RS Spyder prototypes will look to lengthen their chassis and engine manufacturer championship points lead in the LMP2 class, while veteran drivers Sascha Maassen and Lucas Luhr continue their march towards the drivers championship. Maassen, now driving with Timo Bernhard in the #6 RS Spyder, is leading the LMP2 championship by two points over Clint Field and Liz Halliday, while his former co-driver Lucas Luhr, now driving in the #7 team car with Romain Dumas, is third, just four points back. The team split up Maassen and Luhr for the rest of the season to give Porsche the best chance to win the LMP2 drivers title, with the Maassen/Bernhard car winning two weeks ago at Road America to give Sascha the points lead.

What next for the LMP2

Well we all hope to see them next year at Le Mans but we will just have to wait and see.

Porsche in the American Le Mans Series 2006

In 2006 Porsche implements the most comprehensive customer motorsport programme in the company’s history. Within this engagement, the American Le Mans Series constitutes an important focal point. Porsche competes in America‘s most important prototype and GT Championships as a partner to customer teams in the LMP2 prototype category as well as in the GT2 class for near-standard Grand Touring racing sportscars.

After completing seven of the ten events in its first season of American Le Mans Series competition, the two Porsche RS Spyder V-8-powered prototypes have shown the sports car world they can perform at the front of the field, but have also shown the results of the new engine and chassis development. The two cars have scored four class wins between them, including a one-two overall victory at Mid-Ohio, and hold a significant points lead in chassis, engine and team LMP2 standings (Porsche currently leads the LMP2 chassis and manufacturers' championship and Penske Racing is currently on top of the LMP2 team championship). But a combination of mechanical problems and on-track incidents has left the drivers points chase a close battle between the Porsche and Lola drivers.

Following an opening win at Laguna Seca the end of last year by Porsche factory drivers Sascha Maassen and Lucas Luhr, the two-car team had problems at the opening two events this year at Sebring and Houston. While the RS Spyders showed their potential by leading both the LMP2 class and the overall race during the two events, both cars suffered mechanical gremlins and did not finish either race.