American Le Mans Series
In April 2005, it was announced that Porsche would build an Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) sanctioned LMP2 Class Prototype that would be entered by Penske Racing in the American Le Mans Series. The Porsche RS Spyder made its successful debut at the ALMS season final race at Laguna Seca. The "Porsche Junioren" factory drivers Sascha Maassen and Lucas Luhr finished 1st in LMP2 Class and 5th Overall in the 4 Hour Endurance Race.
In 2006, Penske Motorsports fielded two LMP2 Porsche RS Spyder in the American Le Mans Series, but did not run the 2006 24 Hours of Le Mans in June. The Penske cars combined to win seven class victories and the overall win at Mid-Ohio. Penske Racing won the LMP2 team championship. Drivers Sascha Maassen and Lucas Luhr tied for first place in the driver's championship, while Timo Bernhard finished fifth, Romain Dumas finished sixth, and Emmanuel Collard finished tenth.
2006 Team Lineup:
- LMP2 Porsche RS Spyder #6: Sascha Maassen, Lucas Luhr (plus Emmanuel Collard in Long Distance events)
- LMP2 Porsche RS Spyder #7: Timo Bernhard, Romain Dumas (plus Patrick Long in Long Distance events)
In 2007, Penske Motorsports fielded two LMP2 Porsche RS Spyder Evo in the American Le Mans Series. Penske Motorsports for 2nd year in row did not compete in 2007 24 Hours of Le Mans in June. Penske's two cars combined for eleven class victories and eight overall victories during the twelve race season. Penske won the LMP2 team championship, and team drivers Romain Dumas and Timo Bernhard finished tied for first in the LMP2 driver's championship, while Sascha Maassen and Ryan Briscoe tied for third place.
Penske started out their 2008 season with an overall win in the 12 Hours of Sebring. This was Porsche's first overall win in the race since 1988 in a Porsche 962.
2008 Team Lineup:
- LMP2 Porsche RS Spyder #6: Sascha Maassen, Patrick Long
- LMP2 Porsche RS Spyder #7: Romain Dumas, Timo Bernhard (plus Emmanuel Collard in long distance events)
In 2009, the #6 and #7 ALMS teams were used for Penske's #12 Indycar, driven by Will Power in 5 races. The team announced in late 2009 that the ALMS teams would be dissolved and turned into the new #12 Verizon sponsored Indycar for Will Power to run full-time in 2010.
Read more about this topic: Penske Racing
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