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Penske (far right) exulted in his team's return to sports car racing this season. (LAT photo) ยป More Photos
Roger Penske's full-season return to road racing with Porsche went more or less as planned. Penske Racing won the American Le Mans Series' LMP2 team and manufacturer championships with the Porsche RS Spyder as well as the drivers title with Sascha Maassen and Lucas Luhr. Despite winning seven of 10 races (a series record in LMP2), the Porsche RS Spyder and Penske faced a huge challenge from Intersport Racing.
The task for 2007 appears to be even more daunting with the addition of three Acura-powered P2s, along with revamped efforts from Intersport, van der Steur Racing and B-K Motorsports on the horizon. Here are Penske's thoughts looking back, and looking ahead to 2007 with a new version of the RS Spyder.
Q: How would you gauge your success this season?
ROGER PENSKE: "I always wish we were racing in LMP1, but this keeps us on our toes. Long-distance racing really fits our shoes. We've had success at Indianapolis because you get to use your strategy. And it's about reliability. This year has been a real learning curve for us because you have to run 12 hours at a place like Sebring to be successful."
Q: Have you seen the new Porsche RS Spyder?
A: "I've seen all the technical drawings of the car and have seen all the pictures. I haven't been to Weissach to see it. We felt we needed to stay focused on the current RS Spyder. The new car was shown at the Paris Auto Show, which we thought was an exciting thing to let people see it for the first time. But we have strong competition coming in next year with teams like Andretti Green and Fernandez. We're going to have a real fight on our hands.
The problem posed by differing technologies like Audi's TDI in LMP1 will keep Penske's program in LMP2 for the time being. (LAT photo) ยป More Photos
One thing I wish in the series and I've talked to Scott Atherton
Q: Why are big-name teams from other motorsports avenues following your lead by entering the American Le Mans Series?
A: "What's happening is that you're seeing Honda adding interest, as they had an engine they were looking at building for the IndyCar Series, and that engine fits the LMP2 specs. They were able to go to teams that had been related to Honda in the IndyCar Series and as people wanted to expand their programs, this was a great opportunity. They'll come with different chassis whereas Porsche is vertically integrated with engine, transmission, driveline and chassis.
"This really is a great series. Road racing has always been at the heart of the United States. Oval racing obviously has taken the lead over the years, but I think you're seeing a resurgence in sports car racing. There's a good balance. And the fact that we have multiple manufacturers makes it very interesting for a promoter.
"The series has a lot of momentum, and I think the management knows what we need to do. The new tracks next year, we're looking forward to having including the city of Detroit and Belle Isle. It's going to be a great weekend and gives us an opportunity to bring different fans to the track, and that's what you need today. With all of the competition in sports and auto racing in my mind is at the top you need that kind of diversity."
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