ALMS Lime Rock

[Keith]

What a fantastic race - one of the better sports car races I've seen in years and more action in 1 lap than F1 has in 50. Great race between the Astons and Corvettes and between Audi (R8's last ever race and 50th overall win) and the Penske P2 Porsches.

Anyone know the back ground to these P2 cars and which motor it runs? Is this a Penske own designed and built chassis?

Finally, what a track! 1 lap in 45 seconds and more bumps than Britney Spears. Reminds me a little of Brands Hatch - no time to rest. Respect to the drivers.

Thanks in advance,

keith

 

[Tom]

Lime Rock

Keith,

I was at the race, and have spent a little time driving the track - it's busy in a street car @ 1' 10", I can't imagine what it is like in a race car w/ loads of traffic! Add in no run off area in 5 out of 7 turns and it makes for an interesting venue.

Regarding the Penske P2s, that is a factory Porsche car - it's due to be sold commercially, probably next season, in the meantime, Penske is running it. I think the idea is to demonstrate that it's a winning machine, and the buyers will line up. Regarding the engine, I don't know what's under the hood. I would have thought turbo, but it was pretty loud in person, so maybe not. Didn't sound like a flat 6, but it's hard to tell with so much noise around.

Tom

 

[Chris Kouba]

Check it out Keith:

http://www.porsche.com/all/motorsport/rsspyder/pcna.asp

What I remember from an article I read a while ago is what Tom had to say- Porsche is getting back into prototype competition and this is their swag. Not a lot of competitors in the P2 field, lower costs (theorhetically at least) and they get to dice with the Audi's (Audi P1, Porsche P2 & 3). Looks like a pretty good deal for Porsche.

Chris

 

[Keith]

Thanks for the info guys, I've since learned that the Spyder features a new design 90 deg V8 of water cooled 3.4 litres, giving something like just under 500 hp @ 10K rpm.

Torque is lowish @ under 300 though. Still, at least the replica industry now has another motor & trans they can dream about somwhere down the road! (Are you checking this out Graham & Fran?)

Good to see another non VAG manufacturer coming into sportcar racing. Let's see, we now have VAG, Ford, the General & Porsche - the more the merrier.