New Porsche prototype (merged threads)

[BSchneiderFan]

Perhaps; but more likely I'd expect them to confirm that they'll run factory Audis in the LMES next year. After all, although Joest has a long history with Porsche, I don't think it has ever been a works Porsche team, whereas the recent ties to the Audi factory are very strong indeed.

[Nordic]

Or it could be racing the Audi R10 next year in either the ALMs or LMes.

[jhansen]

I tend to think that Audi will have Champion run in the ALMS and Joest in the LMES.

I'm wondering about Freisinger. They are sitting out this season and I really have never heard a formal reason why. I think they could be lined up for a Porsche team in Europe. Although they certainly do not represent the history of Penske.

One other thought on Porsche and possible teams. I wonder how Alex Job felt after hearing that Penske got the nod?

[Nordic]

I don't really see Joest running in LMP2 with a Porsche. I have my doubts that the Porsche will run in the LMES next year anyway, at least the first half anyway.

I agree the Audi in the LMES is the best bet. But not many saw the Penske link coming so it may be something completly different!

When is the anoucement coming?

[Bentley03]

Just to complicate the speculation further, de Chaunac did say that the Audi/Oreca project was for the long term....

[TheNewBob]

Penske does seem to be a strange choice... have they been in sportscar racing before in recent times? I'm willing to bet that when the Porsche gets released to customers (in 2007, I think?) that Alex Job could be very high up in the queue.

With Porsche works teams, that does at the minute happen to be Gruppe M, who do have very large plans for the future, and quickly too. Could see a battle royale between them and Freisinger as to who gets a Euro works job? Gruppe M have a lot more to prove, but by '06 Freisinger will have gone a year without setting foot on the track.

Given that Joest are running Audis in the DTM I'd generally guess they won't change manufacturers anytime soon, particularly with the success they gave Audi with the works R8's.

This could mean 4 works teams - 2 Porsche and 2 Audi - just think what a battle that would make at Le Mans - that's 8 cars altogether!

[TheNewBob]

Actually I have just realised my mistake on my last sentence of my post there, because Porsche would have to upgrade to LMP1 lol - sorry dudes!

[BSchneiderFan]

Penske raced the awesome Porsche 917 in Can Am in the 1970s.

[TheNewBob]

Ah ok thanks for that - I'd always seen Penske as a temporary 70's F1 team, then a US single seater legend.

With the team being used to open-topped cars, I imagine they'd get on quite well with a prototype...

[jhansen]

Penske also had success in Trans Am back when it meant something.

[Nordic]

Penske had success with the Ferrari 512 & 512M in the early 70's as well

[TheNewBob]

There is a picture of them in days of old in the latest issue of Autosport. Quite fitting with words said in this thread that the picture they choose to use has "Porsche + Audi" written on the side

[paul-collins]

Yeah, well, I wouldn't count on the two companies staying out of each other's playpen for too long.

[FIRE]

Pictures Porsche LMP2....

[ss_collins]

bit confused by that - that is not the new porsche but what Lola is it? an what engine - obviously this is not the new Penske - Porsche? or is it?

[Graham Goodwin]

Its an old B2K/40 and no it isn't (even close to) the penske car.

[BSchneiderFan]

Nor do I expect the Penske cars to carry Gulf sponsorship. Now, Sunoco would be great...

[Dauntless]

Geesh, you had me going there for a while...

I looked at those pics and thought, "Porsche would never let themselves be seen in such an ugly, old fashioned looking car...".

Then I read Graham's post. Thanks, Bro!

[krt917]

Originally Posted by Nordic

Penske had success with the Ferrari 512 & 512M in the early 70's as well

They also took the only win for the Lola T70 in the World Sportscar Championship, at Daytona in 1969.

I think using Penske is a good choice. Sunoco sponsorship would round it all off nicely!

[jhansen]

Heard from a source that attended the Laguna Seca GARRA race that Porsche will drop its factory support from GARRA and its ALMS GT2 teams. They will focus soley on the prototype program.

Don't know if that is gospel, but I wouldn't doubt this at all. Porsche will take this program very seriously.

[TheNewBob]

Just drop support from ALMS, or will Gruppe M and Europe suffer too?

[jhansen]

Not sure about Gruppe M. I'll ask.

But it at least puts the factory assisted Porsche GT2 teams on the same field as the other GT2 teams. That would really increase the competition in an already very competitive class.

[SALEEN S7R]

Indeed Jeremy it would make things a lot closer in both FIA GT and the ALMS not forgetting the LMES too. As it is at the moment Gruppe M are walking away with everything in the GT2 class at the moment, and it isnt good for the LMES or FIA GT. The situation in the ALMS however is a little differnt IMO, the works AJR car is at the moment not dominating and is under heavy pressure from the works Panoz and Flying Lizard cars.

[jhansen]

Agreed Chris, I'm just saying that it doesn't have to be a bad thing. It also raises the profile of the P2 class, which is a good thing.

[Graham Goodwin]

Originally Posted by SALEEN S7R

Indeed Jeremy it would make things a lot closer in both FIA GT and the ALMS not forgetting the LMES too. As it is at the moment Gruppe M are walking away with everything in the GT2 class at the moment, and it isnt good for the LMES or FIA GT.

The GruppeM car in the LMES is an altogether different beast from the FIA GT cars - And of course it failed to finish at Spa - Porsche were pressed hard (and beaten) by both Ferrari and TVR there.