More RS Spyders in 2008?

[John Dagys]

We all know that there will be at least two Porsche RS Spyders running full-time in the LMS next year (Horag Racing and VW Motorsport) but what about some additions to the ALMS grid?

There's some rumors out there that we could see two or three more in 2008. Some names thrown out there include Walker Racing, RuSport(Jeremy Dale) and perhaps Rahal Letterman stepping up. What about CET? Will they be on the grid at Sebring?

I love the off-season since its time to speculate on who's doing what for the next year!

[Administrator]

Originally Posted by John Dagys

We all know that there will be at least two Porsche RS Spyders running full-time in the LMS next year (Horag Racing and VW Motorsport) but what about some additions to the ALMS grid?

There's some rumors out there that we could see two or three more in 2008. Some names thrown out there include Walker Racing, RuSport(Jeremy Dale) and perhaps Rahal Letterman stepping up. What about CET? Will they be on the grid at Sebring?

I love the off-season since its time to speculate on who's doing what for the next year!

I'll be talking to CET sometime this week.. I'll see what they're saying.

JT

[Nick Koske]

Don't forget about Conzus...had a website once upon a time...now it seems to be password protected

[John Thawley]

Originally Posted by Nick Koske

Don't forget about Conzus...had a website once upon a time...now it seems to be password protected

Nick, what was the back story on that deal. Any idea?

FYI, I've been to CET's shop, and I'm responsible for developing their web site and did the photo shoot. Obviously, I've seen all the bashing on the ALMS site, but I'll tell you, they seem to be extremely nice people and very much committed to getting the car on the grid. I actually stayed with Al and his family at their home in Jacksonville... lovely people, really.

JT

[Nick Koske]

Not quite sure...there hasn't been any info in months. Here's what was posted by The-Paddock in March:

A new team to road racing, Conzus Motorsports, has announced intentions to compete in the American Le Mans Series with a Porsche RS Spyder. Based in the Homestead-Miami area, the effort led by former MCR Racing engineer Gordon Friend hopes to run in the ultra-competitive LMP2 class with driver Ralf Kelleners. Kelleners has already signed with Rahal Letterman Racing to drive its Porsche 997 RSR in the full ALMS season. Therefore, it seems as though Conzus will not hit to the track until the 2008 season.

More information can be found on the team’s website: http://www.conzusmotorsports.com

As for CET it would be nice if they made it to the grid. I don't think they've done themselves any favors by annoucing they'd be on the grid earlier this year and then went incommunicato. Sure they don't owe anyone anything, but it just doesn't look good. Hindsight is 20/20, maybe they shouldn't have been so hasty talking about getting to the grid.

I'm sure Porsche is not entirely happy that car didn't make it on the grid. I'd bet there was at least one team in Europe that would have liked the car to run it in the LMS this year, but I'm sure Porsche Motorsports/Car of NA said, "we paid for the developement of the car, we want to see in in NA." But that is entirely my speculation.

[John Thawley]

Originally Posted by Nick Koske

Not quite sure...there hasn't been any info in months. Here's what was posted by The-Paddock in March:

A new team to road racing, Conzus Motorsports, has announced intentions to compete in the American Le Mans Series with a Porsche RS Spyder. Based in the Homestead-Miami area, the effort led by former MCR Racing engineer Gordon Friend hopes to run in the ultra-competitive LMP2 class with driver Ralf Kelleners. Kelleners has already signed with Rahal Letterman Racing to drive its Porsche 997 RSR in the full ALMS season. Therefore, it seems as though Conzus will not hit to the track until the 2008 season.

More information can be found on the team’s website: http://www.conzusmotorsports.com

As for CET it would be nice if they made it to the grid. I don't think they've done themselves any favors by annoucing they'd be on the grid earlier this year and then went incommunicato. Sure they don't owe anyone anything, but it just doesn't look good. Hindsight is 20/20, maybe they shouldn't have been so hasty talking about getting to the grid.

I'm sure Porsche is not entirely happy that car didn't make it on the grid. I'd bet there was at least one team in Europe that would have liked the car to run it in the LMS this year, but I'm sure Porsche Motorsports/Car of NA said, "we paid for the developement of the car, we want to see in in NA." But that is entirely my speculation.

Actually, the Porsche deal is quite interesting... more like adoption than purchasing a car. First you get a thorough "vetting" by Porsche. Then you basically agree to buy the car (1.5 million US), agree to purchase the parts package... (1.6 million US), you can not race the car until you test 3 times. Testing is attended by Porsche and Porsche engineers.. and of course, you need your Michelin deal in place too. The Michelin deal has testing and engineer supervision attached to it as well. It should also be noted that Porsche will not allow the car (Spyder) to run on any other tires... since all the development as been based on Michelin tires. Oh... the starter "black box?"... comes with the parts kit... not the car.

JT

[grano123]

[color="Blue"]FYI, I've been to CET's shop, and I'm responsible for developing their web site and did the photo shoot. Obviously, I've seen all the bashing on the ALMS site, but I'll tell you, they seem to be extremely nice people and very much committed to getting the car on the grid. I actually stayed with Al and his family at their home in Jacksonville... lovely people, really.[/COLOR

I've read all the con & contra against Mr. Solaroli & CET, and it seems somewhat odd to me, that they've had the Spyder for months now and it's yet to turn a wheel............................strange wouldn't you say? Undoubtably money has been & is being spent, so I imagine the money trail is duly accountable..................

For the sport, I hope they eventually make it onto the grid some day.

[John Dagys]

Originally Posted by grano123

[color="Blue"]FYI, I've been to CET's shop, and I'm responsible for developing their web site and did the photo shoot. Obviously, I've seen all the bashing on the ALMS site, but I'll tell you, they seem to be extremely nice people and very much committed to getting the car on the grid. I actually stayed with Al and his family at their home in Jacksonville... lovely people, really.[/COLOR

I've read all the con & contra against Mr. Solaroli & CET, and it seems somewhat odd to me, that they've had the Spyder for months now and it's yet to turn a wheel............................strange wouldn't you say? Undoubtably money has been & is being spent, so I imagine the money trail is duly accountable..................

For the sport, I hope they eventually make it onto the grid some day.

I think one of their stumbling blocks is that they have yet to take delivery of the spares package (at least last I heard). I believe there is a device (ECU?) that's included in the spares package that's needed to run the car. I guess that's Porsche's way of forcing teams to buy the package (although Horag will not be doing it and instead purchasing a spare car - I'm not sure how that will work out)

[therealdeal]

looks like we have another for the LMS... Team essex back again.

http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dl...6002/1024/FREE

[Canada ALMS fan]

I was talking to some Porsche engineers at Petit and they said they expected "at least 8" RS Spyders between the LMS and ALMS for '08, excluding the CET Solari mess. They said the spares package was a lot less than mentioned here (600,000 Euro not $1.6m?). They said Penske was a factory backed effort and Roger had requested new engines for every race but Dyson's were used for as many as 4. Also, aero updates were provided to Penske as a works update but Dyson had to purchase them AND only after Penske had them exclusive for one race. They hinted the situation might be "closer to equal" for '08. One engineer from the engine program said Porsche was working on a V8(!!!) for GT endurance racing and the others quickly told him to shut up??? They also said the drivers that Audi had lured away with big money weren't happy in DTM. Also, they said internally the rivalry between Audi and Porsche was very competitive and almost bitter.