Porsche RS Spyder

Porsche
RS Spyder
Production period:	2005-2008
Class :	race car
Body versions :	Roadster
Engines:	Otto engine : 3.4 liters (353 kW)
Length:	4650 mm
Width:	2000 mm
Height:	1068 mm
Wheelbase :	2900 mm
Empty weight :	775 kg

The RS Spyder is a racing sports car developed by Porsche according to the regulations drawn up by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) for the Le Mans prototype class LMP2. It was presented by Porsche at the end of 2005 and was originally used exclusively by the Penske Racing motorsport team in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS). The racing debut of the new Porsche Spyder was initially planned for October 1, 2005 at the 1000-mile race at Road Atlanta, but was postponed to the 4-hour race at Laguna Seca 15 days later .

From 2007 the vehicle was also available for customer teams to buy. The price for the LMP2 racing car was 1.2 million euros.

General

The RS Spyder is known internally at Porsche as the Type 9R6 and was the first racing car to be completely redesigned and developed exclusively for motorsport since the Le Mans double winner 911 GT1 . The first rollout of the racing car took place in June 2005 on the test track in Weissach by the Porsche works driver Sascha Maassen , followed by the first day of testing on the Circuito do Estoril in July 2005. As part of the Paris car show that took place from September 30th to October 15th, 2006 Salon , Porsche presented the further developed RS Spyder for the 2007 ALMS season to the public for the first time .

Chassis and body

Left front headlight with "flap" (right, at the edge of the picture)

chassis

The chassis is a two-seater monocoque which, together with the flange-mounted engine and transmission unit, acts as a load-bearing part of the vehicle. The monocoque with integrated crash structures and safety fuel cell as well as the front crash structure (vehicle nose) is made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CfK, "carbon") according to the latest findings. The driver's head protection is ensured by a headrest with head protection in accordance with FIA regulations. In order to be able to withstand the extreme deceleration values ​​when braking, the driver is restrained by a 6-point seat belt, which is also prepared for the HANS system .

body

A multi-part body made of CFRP , consisting of front, side and rear panels and designed according to both aerodynamic and thermodynamic aspects, winds over the CFRP chassis . Like the bodywork, the cladding is designed as a multi-part front, side and rear cladding made of CFRP / aramid . A rear wing with 2 adjustable wing elements forms the end of the body .

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  Cockpit of the Porsche RS Spyder

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  The rear of the RS Spyder with the distinctive rear wing

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  The 3-part chassis structure is easy to recognize when viewed from above

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  In the front, middle and rear areas, downforce aids improve aerodynamics

engine and gears

engine

The 3.4 liter V8 engine of the RS Spyder. The airbox (top left, with “PORSCHE” logo), the GR6 transmission , the wishbones and the two drive shafts are clearly visible .

The RS Spyder has an approx. 3.4 liter (3397 cm³) large 90-degree V8 - naturally aspirated engine which , according to the LMP2 regulations, has an air flow limiter measuring 44 mm in diameter to a maximum output of 353 kW (480 PS) at 10,300 / min is braked. Its output per liter is thus 103.62 kW (141.3 hp). The high-performance engine, known internally as type MR6 , reaches its maximum torque of 370 Nm at a speed of 7500 rpm. The intake system is equipped with individual throttle valves. The opening times of the 4 valves per cylinder are controlled by 2 overhead camshafts ( dohc ). The oil supply is ensured via dry sump lubrication including an oil-water heat exchanger . The exhaust gases escape through an open manifold .

transmission

The power transmission is carried out by the sequential and straight-toothed dog gear with the type designation Porsche GR6 . The transmission, which is housed in an aluminum housing, is installed lengthways and integrated into the vehicle chassis as a load-bearing part . The gear changes are made electro-pneumatically using switches on the steering wheel . In order to safely convert the existing 353 kW into propulsion, the RS Spyder is also equipped with a mechanical limited-slip differential and traction control. A 3-plate carbon fiber racing clutch from the Schweinfurt-based transmission specialist ZF Sachs is fitted for safe gear changes even under tough racing conditions .

landing gear

Suspension

The front of the RS Spyder with the front fairing removed

The wheels of the RS Spyder are individually suspended on double wishbones at the front and rear . Ground clearance, camber and toe are adjustable. The 4-way spring-damper units with torsion springs , dampers and adjustable stabilizers are pressure rods (so-called pushrods ) actuated. It is steered with a servo-assisted rack and pinion steering .

tires

The connection between the car and the road is made by 29/65/18 (front) and 31/71/18 (rear) racing tires , which are supplied by the Porsche in-house supplier and Porsche Carrera Cup and Porsche Supercup supplier Michelin . The RS Spyder's slicks weigh 7.5 kg on the front axle and 8.5 kg on one-piece 18-inch light alloy wheels with central locking on the rear axle .

Brakes

For a befitting delay also from higher speeds are ventilated carbon fiber - brake discs with Sechskolben- fixed calipers made of aluminum jurisdiction. The maximum diameter of the brake discs of 380 mm on the front axle and 355 mm on the rear axle was stipulated in the LMP2 regulations. The brake system is operated via a double master brake cylinder with variable brake force distribution.

Race inserts and racing successes

American Le Mans Series

For the Zuffenhausen-based company , the RS Spyder's season debut in the LMP2 class was an extremely successful debut in the 2006 American Le Mans Series . A total of 8 out of 10 races were won by the Porsche works drivers. At the end of the 2006 season, both the driver and team championship titles were on the books.

Both Penske RS Spyder 2007 in Laguna Seca

One of the two Dyson RS Spyder racing at Road America 2007

For the 2007 ALMS season, an expansion stage of the RS Spyder was used, which, with more power and slightly improved aerodynamics, should bring the Stuttgart-based company another title win . Since Porsche's return to prototype racing , the RS Spyder 2006 was the first to complete a full season. With its experienced partner Penske Racing , Porsche got stronger from race to race, whereby the RS Spyder was able to show its design-related advantages, especially on the narrow and winding slopes over the classic distance of 2:45 hours. The two Spyder, painted in the colors of the main sponsor DHL , drove to a double victory in the third race of the season in Mid-Ohio . A novelty in the history of the American Le Mans Series and the entire Le Mans prototype category: never before had two sports prototypes in the LMP2 class succeeded, not just their own competitors in the LMP2, but also the more powerful LMP1 racing cars due to the regulations - Leaving class behind. At the end of the 2007 ALMS season , Porsche and its partner Penske Racing had achieved a total of 8 overall and a further 3 class wins. In addition, Porsche was able to sell two more RS Spyders to the first customer team, Dyson Racing, which in turn ended the season in second place in the team classification.

Porsche RS Spyder in the hands of Klaus Graf at the Petit Le Mans 2009

The American Le Mans Series began in 2008 with a one-two victory for the RS Spyder at the Sebring 12-hour race , which Porsche last won in 1988, but the competition grew stronger over the course of the year. With the car manufacturer Acura , a new car had already entered the class in 2007. Above all, the Acura ARX-01b , piloted by David Brabham and Scott Sharp , quickly caught up with defending champions Timo Bernhard and Romain Dumas . Before the penultimate race at Road Atlanta , the lead in the team standings had shrunk to 11 points and Highcroft Racing had already overtaken the customer team Dyson Racing. Roger Penske therefore brought another RS ​​Spyder to the start for the Petit Le Mans . The two drivers Ryan Briscoe and Hélio Castroneves finished their first joint outing as class winners of the LMP2. It was followed by three more RS Spyders from Penske and Dyson Racing, while main competitor Highcroft was out. Thus Penske defended the LMP2 team and driver championship two years in a row and withdrew from the American Le Mans Series at the end of the season. Team owner Rob Dyson also did not compete with the RS Spyder in 2009, but instead preferred a work as a works team for Mazda . However, Dyson sold one of his two vehicles from last year to Greg Pickett , who together with Klaus Graf participated in the remaining four US races of the championship. However, the team was unable to match the previous year's results from Penske and Dyson. Still achieved several podium placements in the severely shrunk class.

Support for the RS Spyder from Porsche was discontinued during the 2009/2010 winter break. Only the Cyptosport vehicle will continue to be looked after. Klaus Graf, Gref Pickett and the former Porsche works driver Sascha Maassen took part in the Sebring 12-hour race. In the prototype categories that are still weakly occupied, the trio was able to achieve another class win for the car with fourth place overall.

Le Mans Series and Le Mans

Didier Theys in the Horag RS Spyder at the 2008 Silverstone 1000 km race

The RS Spyder made its debut on European soil in the 1000 km race of Catalonia in the Le Mans Series . A total of three teams registered in the 2008 season with one car each in the series. Sun won Jos Verstappen and Peter van Merksteijn the first race in their class. By the end of the year, the RS Spyder from Van Merksteijn Motorsport had won four of the five 1000 km races and thus the team and driver championship, with Verstappen qualifying the car in the top midfield of the more powerful prototypes in the LMP1 category in every race. But the race in Monza with Team Essex also went to a Porsche customer team.

In addition, Horag Racing, the third RS Spyder of the season, won the class-independent Michelin Energy Endurance Challenge as the most energy-efficient racing car in the entire series. Two of the three European teams competed in the championship-independent 24-hour race of Le Mans, and after 354 and 347 laps they were the double winners of the LMP2 category. The later LMP2 champion Jos Verstappen won together with Jeroen Bleekemolen and Peter Van Merksteijn in front of the RS Spyder from Team Essex, driven by Casper Elgaard , John Nielsen and Porsche works driver Sascha Maassen.

Despite good results, none of the teams registered for another season in 2009, only Team Essex drove in the 1000 km race at Spa-Francorchamps as preparation for the following 24-hour race at Le Mans. The drivers Elgaard, Kristian Poulsen and Emmanuel Collard won the LMP2 classification in both races. In Le Mans it looked like a one-two for the RS Spyder for a long time. However, Seiji Ara had a serious accident around an hour before the end of the race. He and his teammates Keisuke Kunimoto and Sascha Maassen had already completed 339 laps at that point, which would have been enough for a podium finish in the LMP2 class despite the accident.

Table of all race wins

year	Result	Racing series	Racing event	team	driver
2005	Class winner	ALMS	Monterey Sports Car Championships	Penske Racing	Lucas Luhr Sascha Maassen
2006	Overall winner	ALMS	American Le Mans in Mid-Ohio	Penske Racing	Timo Bernhard Romain Dumas
	Class winner	ALMS	New England Grand Prix	Penske Racing	Timo Bernhard Romain Dumas
	Class winner	ALMS	Utah Grand Prix	Penske Racing	Lucas Luhr Sascha Maassen
	Class winner	ALMS	Road America 500	Penske Racing	Sascha Maassen Timo Bernhard
	Class winner	ALMS	Mosport Grand Prix	Penske Racing	Lucas Luhr Romain Dumas
	Class winner	ALMS	Petit Le Mans	Penske Racing	Sascha Maassen Timo Bernhard Emmanuel Collard
	Class winner	ALMS	Monterey Sports Car Championships	Penske Racing	Lucas Luhr Romain Dumas
2007	Class winner	ALMS	Sports Car Challenge of St. Petersburg	Penske Racing	Sascha Maassen Ryan Briscoe
	Overall winner	ALMS	ALMS Grand Prix of Long Beach	Penske Racing	Romain Dumas Timo Bernhard
	Overall winner	ALMS	Lone Star Grand Prix	Penske Racing	Romain Dumas Timo Bernhard
	Overall winner	ALMS	Utah Grand Prix	Penske Racing	Sascha Maassen Ryan Briscoe
	Overall winner	ALMS	Northeast Grand Prix	Penske Racing	Sascha Maassen Ryan Briscoe
	Overall winner	ALMS	Sports Car Challenge from Mid-Ohio	Penske Racing	Romain Dumas Timo Bernhard
	Overall winner	ALMS	Road America 500	Penske Racing	Romain Dumas Timo Bernhard
	Overall winner	ALMS	Mosport Grand Prix	Penske Racing	Romain Dumas Timo Bernhard
	Overall winner	ALMS	Detroit Sports Car Challenge	Penske Racing	Romain Dumas Timo Bernhard
	Class winner	ALMS	Petit Le Mans	Penske Racing	Romain Dumas Timo Bernhard Patrick Long
	Class winner	ALMS	Monterey Sports Car Championships	Penske Racing	Romain Dumas Timo Bernhard
2008	Overall winner	ALMS	Sebring 12 hour race	Penske Racing	Romain Dumas Timo Bernhard Emmanuel Collard
	Class winner	ALMS	Sports Car Challenge of St. Petersburg	Penske Racing	Romain Dumas Timo Bernhard
	Class winner	LMS	1000 km Catalunya	Van Merksteijn Motorsport	Peter van Merksteijn senior Jos Verstappen
	Class winner	LMS	1000 km Monza	Team Essex	Casper Elgaard John Nielsen
	Class winner	LMS	1000 km of Spa-Francorchamps	Van Merksteijn Motorsport	Peter van Merksteijn senior Jos Verstappen
	Overall winner	ALMS	Utah Grand Prix	Penske Racing	Romain Dumas Timo Bernhard
	Class winner	-	Le Mans 24 hour race	Van Merksteijn Motorsport	Peter van Merksteijn senior Jeroen Bleekemolen Jos Verstappen
	Class winner	ALMS	Sports Car Challenge from Mid-Ohio	Penske Racing	Romain Dumas Timo Bernhard
	Class winner	LMS	1000 km Nürburgring	Van Merksteijn Motorsport	Jos Verstappen Jeroen Bleekemolen
	Class winner	LMS	1000 km Silverstone	Van Merksteijn Motorsport	Peter van Merksteijn senior Jos Verstappen
	Class winner	ALMS	Petit Le Mans	Penske Racing	Hélio Castroneves Ryan Briscoe
2009	Class winner	LMS	1000 km of Spa-Francorchamps	Team Essex	Casper Elgaard Kristian Poulsen Emmanuel Collard
	Class winner	-	Le Mans 24 hour race	Team Essex	Casper Elgaard Kristian Poulsen Emmanuel Collard
2010	Class winner	ALMS	Sebring 12 hour race	Muscle Milk Team Cytosport	Greg Pickett Klaus Graf Sascha Maassen
	Overall winner	ALMS	Northeast Grand Prix	Muscle Milk Team Cytosport	Greg Pickett Klaus Graf
	Overall winner	ALMS	Mosport Grand Prix	Muscle Milk Team Cytosport	Romain Dumas Klaus Graf

* Bold text (in the "Race event" column) stands for the pole position
* Italic text (in the "Race event" column) stands for the fastest race lap

Technical specifications

Porsche RS Spyder:	Data
Engine:	8-cylinder V-engine (four-stroke) (type MR6)
Displacement:	3397 cc
Bore × stroke:
Performance at 1 / min:	353 kW (480 hp) at 10300
Max. Torque at 1 / min:	370 Nm at 7500
Compression:
Valve control:	4 valves per cylinder, 2 overhead camshafts each (DOHC)
Cooling:	Oil-water cooling
Transmission:	6-speed gearbox, limited-slip differential and traction control, rear-wheel drive, 3-disc carbon fiber racing clutch
Brakes:	Disc brakes (internally ventilated) made of carbon fiber reinforced brake discs
Front suspension:	Double wishbone, adjustable in height, camber and toe
Rear suspension:	Double wishbone, adjustable in height, camber and toe
Front suspension:	4-way spring-damper units, torsion bar springs, operated by push rods
Rear suspension:	4-way spring-damper units, torsion bar springs, operated by push rods
Body:	2-seater monocoque made of CFRP
Track width front / rear:
Wheelbase :
Tires rim:	One-piece 18-inch alloy wheels (front: 29 × 65 × 18 / rear: 31 × 71 × 18)
Dimensions L × W × H:	4650 × 2000 × 1068 mm
Empty weight :	775 kg (without driver and without fuel)
Top speed:	290 km / h

literature

• Tim Upietz, Ulrich Upietz: "Porsche RS Spyder 2008" , Group C Motorsport Verlag, Duisburg 2008, ISBN 3-928540-56-4
• Tim Upietz, Ulrich Upietz: "Porsche RS Spyder - Limited Edition" , Group C Motorsport Verlag, Duisburg 2007, ISBN 3-928540-52-1
• auto motor und sport , issue 14, June 22, 2005, p. 154. Here's a new one - New Porsche racing car for the American Le Mans Series
• auto motor und sport , issue 20, September 14, 2005, pp. 196–199 and 200. Test image - With the RS Spyder, Porsche wants to build on its glorious history in sports car races

Web links

Commons : Porsche RS Spyder  - collection of images, videos and audio files

• The RS Spyder on the Porsche homepage
• auto motor und sport.de / track tests - Porsche RS Spyder: money fever
• Porsche prototype is called RS Spyder on www.ClassicDriver.de
• The Porsche RS Spyder gets color at www.ClassicDriver.de
• Porsche RS Spyder - curse or blessing
• Porsche RS Spyder - information and chassis numbers at www.projectlemans.de

Individual evidence

1. ^ Mühlberger, Claus: UP TO A NEW - New Porsche racing car for the American Le Mans Series . In: "auto, motor und sport" , issue 14, June 22, 2005, p. 154.
2. ↑ Mühlberger, Claus: TEST-BILD - sports car, the new Porsche RS Spyder for the ALMS . In: “auto, motor und sport” , issue 20, September 14, 2005, pp. 196–198 and 200.
3. ↑ Porsche RS Spyder: Money Fever. auto-motor-und-sport.de , December 19, 2006, accessed on August 16, 2012 : “The Porsche RS Spyder celebrated a great debut in the American Le Mans Series with seven class wins and one overall victory. We drove the 1.2 million euro racer. " 
4. ↑ Dr. Ing.hc F. Porsche AG: Porsche RS Spyder - Technology & Concept ( Memento from February 23, 2007 in the Internet Archive ) On: www.porsche.de . December 27, 2006, 9:25 am
5. ↑ Ulrich Upietz: Porsche Sport 2005. 2005 , p. 22
6. ↑ Dr. Ing.hc F. Porsche AG: RS Spyder for the 2007 season ( Memento from November 6, 2006 in the Internet Archive ) On: www.porsche.de . December 27, 2006, 8:45 a.m.
7. ↑ Dr. Ing.hc F. Porsche AG: Porsche RS Spyder / Chassis ( Memento from February 23, 2007 in the Internet Archive ) at: www.porsche.de . December 27, 2006, 7:25 am
8. ↑ Dr. Ing.hc F. Porsche AG: Porsche RS Spyder / Body ( Memento from February 23, 2007 in the Internet Archive ) at: www.porsche.de . December 27, 2006, 7:35 a.m.
9. ↑ Dr. Ing.hc F. Porsche AG: Porsche RS Spyder / Motor ( Memento from February 23, 2007 in the Internet Archive ) at: www.porsche.de . December 27, 2006, 6:30 a.m.
10. ↑ Dr. Ing.hc F. Porsche AG: Porsche RS Spyder / power transmission ( Memento from February 23, 2007 in the Internet Archive ) at: www.porsche.de . December 27, 2006, 6:55 am
11. ↑ ^{a b c} Dr. Ing.hc F. Porsche AG: Porsche RS Spyder / chassis ( Memento from February 23, 2007 in the Internet Archive ) at: www.porsche.de . December 27, 2006, 8:25 am
12. ↑ Americanlemans.de: HAS PORSCHE MISSED ITSELF? ( Memento from September 29, 2007 in the Internet Archive ) On: www.americanlemans.de . December 30, 2006, 6:25 p.m.
13. ↑ Quirmbach, Guido: The last RS Spyder on: www.speedweek.de . February 16, 2009, 4:58 pm
14. ↑ 2005 AMERICAN LE MANS SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS (PDF) In: American Le Mans Series . Retrieved February 25, 2012.
15. ↑ Final 2006 American Le Mans Series championship points (PDF) In: American Le Mans Series . Retrieved February 25, 2012.
16. ↑ 2007 AMERICAN LE MANS SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL POINT STANDINGS (PDF) In: American Le Mans Series . Retrieved February 25, 2012.
17. ↑ 2008 AMERICAN LE MANS SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL POINT STANDINGS (PDF) In: American Le Mans Series . Retrieved February 25, 2012.
18. ↑ LE MANS SERIES 2008 TEAMS OVERALL CLASSIFICATION BY CLASS (PDF; 58 kB) In: European Le Mans Series . Archived from the original on September 18, 2013. Retrieved February 25, 2012.
19. ↑ Le mans series 2009 drivers overall classification by class (PDF; 17 kB) In: European Le Mans Series . Archived from the original on September 1, 2014. Retrieved February 25, 2012.
20. ↑ 2010 AMERICAN LE MANS SERIES PRESENTED BY TEQUILA PATRÓN FINAL CHAMPIONSHIP POINT STANDINGS (PDF) In: American Le Mans Series . Retrieved February 25, 2012.