Porsche RS Spyder

Porsche RS Spyder

Category	Le Mans Prototype
Constructor	Porsche Penske (team)
Designer(s)	Michael Mauer Roger Penske (Team)
Predecessor	Porsche LMP1-98 (LMP), Porsche 911 GT1-98 (LM-GT1), Porsche LMP2000 (cancelled LMP)
Successor	Porsche 919 Hybrid
Technical specifications
Chassis	Carbon fibre monocoque with engine and gearbox as stressed members
Suspension (front)	Independent four-way, spring/damper units activated by pushrods, adjustable torsion-bar springs, dampers and anti-roll bars
Suspension (rear)	As front
Length	4,650 mm (183 in)
Width	2,000 mm (79 in)
Height	1,030 mm (41 in)
Wheelbase	2,900 mm (114 in)
Engine	Porsche MR6 3.4 L (3,400 cc; 207 cu in) 90-degree V8 normally aspirated, 32-valve, DOHC, four-valves per cylinder mid-engine, longitudinally mounted
Transmission	GR6 6-speed Electro-pneumatic semi-automatic paddle shift sequential gearbox Mechanical locking differential plus traction control
Weight	825 kg (1,819 lb)
Fuel	EPIC Ethanol E10/ExxonMobil unleaded
Lubricants	Mobil 1
Tyres	Michelin, Dunlop
Competition history
Notable entrants	Penske Racing Team Essex Dyson Racing Van Merksteijn Motorsport Muscle Milk Team Cytosport Team Goh
Notable drivers	Hélio Castroneves Ryan Briscoe Lucas Luhr Timo Bernhard Romain Dumas Emmanuel Collard Jos Verstappen Jeroen Bleekemolen Sascha Maassen Patrick Long Marino Franchitti Guy Smith Andy Wallace Butch Leitzinger Chris Dyson Andy Lally
Debut	2005 Monterey Sports Car Championships at Laguna Seca
Races Wins Poles F.Laps 63 13 10 12
Constructors' Championships	4 (American Le Mans 2006, 2007, 2008 & Le Mans Series 2008) LMP2
Drivers' Championships	4 (American Le Mans 2006, 2007, 2008 & Le Mans Series 2008) LMP2

The RS Spyder (Type 9R6) is a racing car designed by Porsche in conjunction with Penske to compete in Le Mans Prototype Class 2 (LMP2) racing. The car takes its name from the legendary 550 Spyder of the 1950s (combined with Porsche's common "RennSport" (lit.: racing sports) designation). The car marked Porsche's first return to the top level of sports prototype racing since the firm abandoned its Porsche LMP in 1999.

The RS Spyder made its debut in the final event of the 2005 American Le Mans Series (ALMS) at Laguna Seca winning its class. Since then the RS Spyder has won the ALMS LMP2 Championship in 2006, 2007 and 2008 and took class honours at Le Mans in 2008 and 2009. The outright victory at the 2008 12 Hours of Sebring was the first major victory for Porsche in endurance racing for five years and it was also the first time in 24 years that the non-premier class won the 12 Hours of Sebring overall. Regulation changes for the 2011 season rendered the RS Spyder obsolete but the car has left a legacy in the Porsche 918, which uses a development of the Spyder's engine and the 919 which carried Porsche's racing program on into the LMP 1 category starting in 2014.

The RS Spyder was designed completely in-house by Porsche engineers. The chassis is a rigid carbon fibre monocoque with both the engine and transmission being integral stressed members. The 3.4 litre 90-degree V8 racing engine was designed from scratch as was the six-speed electro-pneumatic sequential gearbox. Braking is via six-piston caliper carbon-fibre brake mounted on suspension controlled by four-way, spring/damper units activated by pushrods with adjustable torsion-bar springs. The car has a dry weight of 825 kilograms (1,819 lb) in 2010 specification but was initially 750 kilograms (1,650 lb).

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