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Porsche to Return to Le Mans Updated Racer

Porsche Sets Sights on First Place for ALMS, LMS and Le Mans

Porsche and racing go hand in hand; the two are inseparable. The Stuttgart-based automakers specialty is in Le Mans-style races; long-distance GT1, GT2 and GT3 vehicles in which it has won countless titles. However, after dropping the successful GT1 program of the 90s, Porsche returned to the top tiers of sports car racing with its RS Spyder and has once again done very well this last season. The open-roofed prototype runs toe-to-toe with Courage and Lola.

The revised 2007 RS Spyder is once again officially classified as a Le

Prototype racing is a relatively new venture for Porsche. (Photo: Porsche)

Mans Prototype 2 vehicle, by the French Automobile Club de lOuest. While this wont mean a whole lot to most people, the guidelines and certification allows the RS Spyder to compete in all the major sports car races, including the American Le Mans Series (ALMS), the European Le Mans Series (LMS), and the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Last year, Porsche introduced the 2006 RS Spyder which was brought

2007 will be a full-year, multi-continent effort; 2006 was just the start. (Photo: Porsche)

out for testing at a couple of events (Estoril, Spain) and was run by Roger Penskes team in AMLS for most of the year, but for 2007 the car will participate in a broader spectrum of events.

While Audi and Peugeot are pursuing diesel power in the LMP1 category, one class above LMP2, Porsche has gone the traditional route, with a 90-degree, gasoline-powered V8 engine. This powerplant was developed specifically for the RS Spyder with the stresses of endurance racing in mind. At 3.4 liters in displacement, the engine is physically small, yet its able to

Kinda sparse, but plenty of real carbon fibre in here. (Photo: Porsche)

generate 503 horsepower at an astonishing 10,300 rpm, which is a gain of 23 horsepower over the old, 2006 model. Given that the car weighs just 1,708 lbs - the minimum, according to the regulations - thats enough to make this one of the fastest Porsches ever made. The gearbox that the engine is mated to is a six-speed sequential dog-shift type, with a triple-plate carbon-fibre clutch.

Prototype racing is all about being on the cutting edge in performance; the RS Spyders chassis is one of Porsches strongest and most advanced frames to date. Made from carbon fiber, the monocoque chassis features double wishbone front and rear suspensions. The rear suspension is bolted right to the transmission housing, making it a

RS tiny engine makes impressive horsepower. (Photo: Porsche)

stressed member and an important part of the cars structural rigidity. The damping system doesnt operate through standard dampers, rather through ones that are operated by pushrods, hidden inside the body. Combined with new anti-roll bars, Porsche claims the 2007 RS to be even faster and more precise in the bends. As for brakes, the RS Spyder has 380 mm (14.96 inch) front and 355 mm (13.97 inch) carbon-fiber discs.

Currently, Porsche is racing the 2006 RS Spyder in the American Le Mans racing series, as mentioned led by Penske, the firms U.S. team. The RS Spyder has shown its prowess, taking first and second place at Mid-Ohio in May, and by so doing snatching victory from more powerful competitors.  However, the forthcoming RS Spyder will be an international vehicle, ready to dominate on whatever circuit it is put out on, hence its debut in Paris this past week.

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