Nov 10, 2008 8:52:57 AM
- Spyderidol
- Rennteam Master
- Loc: Mozambique
- Posts: 5807, Gallery
- Registered on: Apr 25, 2007
Nov 10, 2008 8:52:57 AM
Dec 4, 2008 6:25:03 PM
Dec 9, 2008 1:50:46 PM
There were no surprises at the Porsche Motorsports Night on Saturday in Weissach.
Wolfgang Dürheimer announced the already known cooperation between Porsche and the Penske in the Grand-Am.
Also Continued support for customer teams in the US.
Officially - and after three years as scheduled - the end of the RS Spyder project with Penske Racing in the ALMS was declared.
Dürheimer said RS Spyder customer teams will continue to get full support: "I hope to see GT3 RSR's alongside one or two RS Spyder at the 24 Le Mans."
Dürheimer
praised the new 2011 engine regulations of the ACO, "with much sense of the signs of the times
has recognized."
He assured the ACO both support, with new technology (to enrich Le Mans), as well as continue to help to find a balance between the various drive concepts in order for them to work.
Porsche
had previously not included the LMP1 class in their plans, because the
regulations clearly fovored the LMP1 diesel-powered vehicles , said
Dürheimer. He went on to say that the Porsche engineers will in the next few months look very closely within the various
motorsport involvements to see how the future will employ. Porsche made it clear (at least indirectly), to the representatives of the ACO , that a return to the top prototype class, was not excluded.
Dec 9, 2008 3:11:03 PM
Spyderidol, I would appreciate your opinion on the following:
Do you think the Porsche engined DP Penske can win Daytona 24, outright?
How do you assess Porsche's chances in LMS and ALMS in the P2 and GT2 classes?
Same for FIA GT, GT2 class?
Dec 9, 2008 4:22:08 PM
Hi reginos.
My opinion is as follows:
Dec 9, 2008 4:58:32 PM
Thanks for the detailed reply!
To be honest with you, I'd prefer no Spyders in both the LM series, rather than an under-funded half-hearted effort by a mediocre team that might end the car's career on a low note.
Dec 10, 2008 6:17:10 AM
I completely agree!
Also - The RSR had some difficulty with the rate of degradation of the rear tires in relation to the F430's. The RSR's were not able to double stint their tires as the F430's were. This is obviously due to the difference in weight distribution. I suspect that we will see some further development in this area. I know that Porsche is very interested in getting better fuel consumprtion out of their engines, but there is little point to this if the tires cant last as long as the fuel.
Dec 10, 2008 5:53:55 PM
Further more detailed news:
Thanks to Andrew Cotton.
Dec 10, 2008 6:25:07 PM
Dec 12, 2008 11:21:07 PM
Hello SpiderIdol!, I got this from Mulsannes corner website...read and tell me what you think about what was suppose to be coming out from the Acura group about Audi not returning. After reading this, it made me hate Acura even more!!! I think they are a big joke!
>>While nothing official has been released, Acura has apparently reaffirmed internally that the LMP program is still a go for 2009; the Honda F1 pullout will have no impact on the 2009 American Le Mans Series program. Additionally, comments coming out of Acura indicate immense disappointment with Audi's withdrawal. Everyone should recall Audi's comments at the 2006 American Le Mans Series award banquet, "Why is Audi unchallenged? Ask Porsche – where are you with your glorious motor sports history? Why are you not in the top category? Honda-Acura, why not in the premier formula? Why LMP2? Come and challenge us. If you beat us, we will honor you." And just as that competition has emerged Audi goes the other way. I have a very tough time believing "absolute" costs are behind Audi's decision not to race in the ALMS next year. Yes I'm fully aware of the horrible economic climate, remember what industry I work in? This uncertainty has been going on for much longer than most are aware, take my word for it. But if we believe that Audi has indeed built a new LMP challenger (and I'm not suggesting that we shouldn't), then we believe that the large costs have already been spent and the operating costs to race for a season are a mere drop in the bucket in comparison. So it seems a little odd to spend 85% and suddenly not be able to swallow spending the last 15%. But ultimately I'll suggest that yes, costs are the issue, but not as we've been made to believe. Audi certainly has plenty of money to race the R15 next year...but I'm betting that they're worried about the costs associated with staying competitive with Acura (and Peugeot). Semantics? Perhaps. But there's evidence to believe that Acura has thrown the gauntlet down and Audi should be concerned. A shame that Audi can't be goaded in to sticking around. If you ask me, this will be the first time in their 10 year association with the ALMS that they would have had real and sustained competition.
Well Dyson Racing confirmed the best kept secret They are running Mazada powerd Lola in LMP2 next year... I live about 30 mins from their race shop so hoping to see the new cars before Sebring..They hosted Porsche Club last year so hoping for invite...
996cal:
Porsche wants to build a special GT3 to compete against the Audi R8 GT3. I wanted to correct you that the R8 is a GT3 car for the FIA GT championship.
Porsche does offer the GT3 Cup S which is intended to improve the 911´s performance in those racing series. Very curious to see these two perform side-by-side, since the R8 uses the V10 engine and teams are without factory-backup e.g. in the ADAC GT Masters.