Porsche RS Spyder
The RS Spyder is a Porsche established after the Automobile Club de l' Ouest (ACO ) regulations for the Le Mans prototype racing car developed LMP2 class. It was introduced in late 2005 by Porsche and was originally exclusively by motor racing team Penske Racing in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS ) was used. The racing debut of the new Porsche Spyder was originally planned for 1 October 2005 at the 1000-mile race at Road Atlanta, but was moved to the 15 days later held four - hour race at Laguna Seca.
As of 2007, the vehicle was ready for customer teams to purchase. The price for the LMP2 race car was 1.2 million euros.
- 3.1 Motor
- 3.2 transmission
- 4.1 Suspension
- 4.2 tires
- 4.3 brakes
- 5.1 American Le Mans Series
- 5.2 Le Mans Series and Le Mans
- 5.3 Table of all race wins
General
The RS Spyder is known internally as Type 9R6 at Porsche and is the first designed exclusively for motor sports completely new development since the Le Mans Double Winners 911 GT1 dar. The first rollout of the car took place in June 2005 on the test track in Weissach, the Porsche works driver Sascha Maassen, followed by the first day of testing at the Circuito do Estoril in July 2005 .. As part of the September 30 took place until October 15, 2006 Paris motor Show, Porsche presented to the public for the first time the more developed RS Spyder for the 2007 ALMS season.
Chassis and body
Chassis
Said chassis is a monocoque two-seat, which functions together with the flanged-on motor and gear box assembly as a supporting part of the vehicle. The monocoque is made according to the latest findings with integrated crash structures and safety fuel cell and front crash structure ( nose cone ) of carbon fiber reinforced plastic ( CFRP, "Carbon" ). The driver's head protection is ensured by a headrest with head protection in accordance with FIA regulations. In order to withstand the extreme delay values during braking, the driver is powered by a 6-point seat belt, which is also prepared for the HANS system, fixed.
Body
About the carbon fiber chassis winds a multi-part, consisting of front, side and rear panels and designed both aero - and after thermodynamic points of CFRP body. The fairing is performed analogously to the body as a multi-part front, side and rear panel from CFRP / Aramid. The body concludes with a provided with 2 adjustable rear wing blade elements.
The rear of the RS Spyder with the distinctive rear wing
In plan view, the 3-piece chassis structure is well recognizable
Output aids in the front, middle and rear improve aerodynamics
Engine and transmission
Motor
The RS Spyder has an approximately 3.4 liter ( 3397 cc ) large 90 -degree V8 naturally aspirated engine, the measured according to the LMP2 regulations of a 44 mm diameter air restrictor on a maximum output of 353 kW (480 hp) at 10,300 / min is braked. Its specific power output is thus at 103.62 kW ( 141.3 hp). The Porsche internally designated as type MR6 high-performance engine reaches its maximum torque of 370 Nm at a speed of 7500 rpm. The intake system is equipped with individual throttle butterflies. The opening times of the four valves per cylinder are controlled by each 2 overhead camshafts ( DOHC ). The oil supply is ensured via a dry sump lubrication together with oil -water heat exchanger. The exhaust gases escape through an open manifold.
Transmission
The power transmission takes over with the type designation Porsche GR6 provided, sequential and straight-toothed claw transmission. Housed in an aluminum case transmission is mounted longitudinally and integrated as a structural part of the vehicle chassis. The gearshifts are electro via the steering wheel -mounted switches. To the existing 353 kW sure to convert in advance of the RS Spyder is still equipped with a mechanical locking differential and traction control. For secure even under hard racing conditions change gear a 3-disc carbon fiber racing clutch the Schweinfurt transmission specialist ZF Sachs is mounted.
Suspension, tires and brakes
Landing gear
The chassis of the RS Spyder consists of front and rear suspension with double wishbones, and is adjustable in height, camber and toe. The 4-way spring - damper units with torsion bar springs, dampers and adjustable stabilizers are operated by push rods (called pushrods ). Is steered by means of a power-assisted rack and pinion steering.
Tire
The connection of the car with the road is through racing tires of the dimension 29/65/18 (front) and 31/71/18 (rear) produced, which are supplied from the house Porsche suppliers and the Porsche Carrera Cup and Porsche Supercup chandler Michelin. The slicks of the RS Spyder are reared with central lock on the front axle to 7.5 kg at the rear axle to 8.5 kg in weight one-piece 18-inch light alloy wheels.
Brakes
For a befitting delay also from higher speeds ventilated carbon fiber brake discs with 6-piston aluminum fixed calipers have jurisdiction. The maximum diameter of the brake discs of 380 mm at the front and 355 mm at the rear axle was prescribed in the LMP2 regulations. Is actuated, the brake system on a twin master cylinders with variable brake force distribution.
Racing and racing success
American Le Mans Series
For the Zuffenhausen the season debut of the RS Spyder in the LMP2 class, a highly successful debut in the American Le Mans Series in 2006. Overall, eight of 10 races are won by the Porsche factory driver. At the end of the 2006 season, both the titles were in the driver as well as in the team standings to book.
For the 2007 ALMS season, a development stage of the RS Spyder was used, which should yield more power and slightly improved aerodynamics another title win in Stuttgart. Since Porsche's return to prototype racing was completed with the RS Spyder in 2006 for the first time a full season. With the experienced partner Penske Racing Porsche became stronger from race to race, the RS Spyder was able to play especially on the tight and twisty trails over the classic distance of 2.45 hours its design-related benefits. So the two went in the colors of the main sponsor DHL painted Spyder to double victory in the third race of the season at Mid-Ohio. A first in the history of the American Le Mans Series and the entire Le Mans Prototype category: Never before has it been two sports prototypes in the LMP2 class succeeded in not only their own competitors in the LMP2, but also due to the regulations more powerful cars of the LMP1 to leave class behind. At the end of the ALMS season 2007 Porsche had run in with the partner, Penske Racing whole 8 total and a further 3 class wins. In addition, Porsche was able two more RS Sypder to the first team, Dyson Racing sell, which in turn ended the season in second place in the team standings.
Began the American Le Mans Series 2008, first with a double victory for the RS Spyder at the 12 Hours of Sebring, the Porsche last won in 1988, strengthened in the course of increasing the competition. With the automaker Acura, a new car was in 2007 entered the class. Above all, piloted by David Brabham and Scott Sharp Acura ARX - 01b quickly took on defending champion Timo Bernhard and Romain Dumas. Before the penultimate race at Road Atlanta the lead had shrunk in the team standings on 11 points and Highcroft Racing pulled over already to the customer team, Dyson Racing. Roger Penske brought therefore to the Petit Le Mans another RS Sypder at the start. The two drivers Ryan Briscoe and Helio Castroneves finished their first joint deployment class victory in the LMP2. It was followed by three further RS Sypder Penske and Dyson Racing, while main competitor failed Highcroft. Thus Penske defended for two consecutive years, the team and driver championship in the LMP2 and retired at the end of the season of the American Le Mans Series back. Also, team owner Rob Dyson did not occur in 2009 with the RS Sypder to, but preferred a use instead as a work team for Mazda. However, Dyson sold one of its two previous vehicles to Greg Pickett, who participated along with Klaus Graf at the remaining four rounds of the U.S. Championship. At the previous year's results Penske and Dyson team, however, could not match. Achieved yet in the sharp decline in class several podium finishes.
During the winter break 2009/2010 to support the RS Spyder Porsche has been set. Only the vehicle of Cyptosport will continue to be supported. So Klaus Graf, Gref Pickett and the former Porsche factory driver Sascha Maassen took part in the 12 - hour race at Sebring. In the still sparse prototype categories, the trio with the fourth overall was again able to enter a class victory for the car.
Le Mans Series and Le Mans
The cost of the RS Spyders on European soil had the car at the 1000 km race of Catalonia the Le Mans Series. A total of three teams signed up for the 2008 season, each with a cart in the series. So Jos Verstappen and Peter Van Merksteijn won the first race in their class. By the end of the RS Sypder Van Merksteijn Motorsport qualified Verstappen won four of the five 1000 - km race and thus the team and driver championship, while the car at every race in the upper middle of the powerful prototypes of the LMP1 category. But the race in Monza went with Team Essex Porsche customer team.
Moreover, won Horag Racing, the third RS Sypder of the season, the class- independent discharged Michelin Energy Endurance Challenge as an energy-saving -the-art racing cars of the whole series. In the championship independent 24 - hour race at Le Mans came to two of the three European teams who took the checkered flag after 354 and 347 rounds as a double winner in the LMP2 category. In this case, the later LMP2 champion Jos Verstappen won together with Jeroen Bleekemolen and Peter Van Merksteijn before RS Sypder of Essex team, driven by Casper Elgaard, John Nielsen and Porsche works driver Sascha Maassen.
Despite good results in 2009, neither team wrote one for another season, only team Essex drove the 1000 km race at Spa -Francorchamps in preparation for the next 24 - hour race at Le Mans. The driver Elgaard, Kristian Poulsen and Emmanuel Collard won both races the evaluation of LMP2. In Le Mans saw it also made long after a double victory for the RS Sypder. However, Seiji Ara crashed hard about an hour before the race ended. He and his teammates Keisuke Kunimoto and Sascha Maassen had completed at the time already 339 rounds, which would have been sufficient in spite of the accident for a podium finish in the LMP2 class.
Table of all race wins
* Bold text ( in column " racing event ") stands for the pole position * Italic text ( in column " racing event ") stands for the fastest lap