Tom (aka Godzilla)
10-14-2005, 11:35 PM
Text and photos by Thomas Maranda
http://tom.socaleuro.com/features/porsche_lmp2/porsche_lmp2%20(1).jpg
http://tom.socaleuro.com/features/porsche_lmp2/porsche_lmp2%20(2).jpg
Porsche has been all the buzz of the ALMS paddocks recently, with their vaporware prototype racecar. Their much anticipated LMP2 prototype racer has been delayed time and again for various reasons. Well, it's finally here.....and it's putting the world on notice.
If you were to build a near perfect race team, you would have full factory support, winning drivers, and a proven leader to put it all together. That's the ingredients for the #6 DHL-sponsored LMP2 Porsche RS Spyder; Porsche factory backing, Sascha Maassen and Lucas Luhr splitting the driver duties, and the legendary Roger Penske at the helm. Sounds good on paper, but does it work on the racetrack?
http://tom.socaleuro.com/features/porsche_lmp2/porsche_lmp2%20(6).jpg
Sascha Maassen is among the all-time winningest ALMS drivers. He has 10 pole positions. The boy (he's actually 36) can flat out drive. But, he has no prototype experience. As it turns out, that doesn't really matter. With the fog rolling in over the hills surrounding Laguna Seca, Sascha introduced the Porsche to the endurace racing world by crushing the existing track record. His fastest lap of 1:15.606 was nearly a second faster than the previous record, held by James Weaver driving a Lola in 2003. He also earned the Porsche RS Spyder's first ever pole position. Not bad for the new kids on the block. "It was lucky for me that the car didn't miss a beat,"said Massen "It just ran and ran and ran. I can't wait for the race tomorrow." Neither can we.
http://tom.socaleuro.com/features/porsche_lmp2/porsche_lmp2.jpg
http://tom.socaleuro.com/features/porsche_lmp2/porsche_lmp2%20(1).jpg
http://tom.socaleuro.com/features/porsche_lmp2/porsche_lmp2%20(2).jpg
Porsche has been all the buzz of the ALMS paddocks recently, with their vaporware prototype racecar. Their much anticipated LMP2 prototype racer has been delayed time and again for various reasons. Well, it's finally here.....and it's putting the world on notice.
If you were to build a near perfect race team, you would have full factory support, winning drivers, and a proven leader to put it all together. That's the ingredients for the #6 DHL-sponsored LMP2 Porsche RS Spyder; Porsche factory backing, Sascha Maassen and Lucas Luhr splitting the driver duties, and the legendary Roger Penske at the helm. Sounds good on paper, but does it work on the racetrack?
http://tom.socaleuro.com/features/porsche_lmp2/porsche_lmp2%20(6).jpg
Sascha Maassen is among the all-time winningest ALMS drivers. He has 10 pole positions. The boy (he's actually 36) can flat out drive. But, he has no prototype experience. As it turns out, that doesn't really matter. With the fog rolling in over the hills surrounding Laguna Seca, Sascha introduced the Porsche to the endurace racing world by crushing the existing track record. His fastest lap of 1:15.606 was nearly a second faster than the previous record, held by James Weaver driving a Lola in 2003. He also earned the Porsche RS Spyder's first ever pole position. Not bad for the new kids on the block. "It was lucky for me that the car didn't miss a beat,"said Massen "It just ran and ran and ran. I can't wait for the race tomorrow." Neither can we.
http://tom.socaleuro.com/features/porsche_lmp2/porsche_lmp2.jpg