New Porsche Prototype Racing Program Announced for North America

Penske Motorsports to Partner in Campaigning New Factory-Built Porsche Racecar

Few automakers have as rich a history in motorsport as Porsche, its founder having started the legendary marque with racing

Few automakers have as rich a history in motorsport as Porsche. (Photo: Porsche Cars Canada)

being integral to the brand's DNA. Throughout the years, Porsche has raced its road cars, from its 356 to its various 911 models, and built dedicated race cars such as the 904, 917 and 962, for the sole purpose of annihilating its competition. And to that end, it has won more sports car races than any other brand, with the 911 the most successful road car in motorsport history.

With Porsche's last prototype racecar being the fabulous 1998 911 GT1, a car that literally stretched everything a 911 had ever been up to that point, the German manufacturer's North American division, Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (PCNA), recently announced it will soon introduce another track car together with Porsche Motorsport North America (PMNA), designed

The fabulous 1998 911 GT1 literally stretched everything a 911 had ever been up to that point. (Photo: Porsche Cars Canada)

to support customer teams in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS).

PCNA and PMNA have commissioned their parent company, Porsche AG, to design and construct a racecar to be eligible for competition in the LMP2 (Le Mans Prototype 2) class of the ALMS.

Aligning with one of the most successful teams in motorsport history, Penske Motorsports, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Penske Racing, Inc., will ensure the new LMP2 racecar has more than a fighting chance to see regular top podium positions when it begins competition in 2006. Penske will have the new car exclusively for its first year.