As the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) moves to the Southwest for round number four, at the Lone Star Grand Prix of Houston this Saturday evening, Porsche teams involved in both the LMP2 and GT2 classes will be challenged by tough rivals in the industry. The competition for this season’s championship is currently in high gear. Acura and Ferrari will be flaunting what they have to challenge the domineering Porsche.
In the LMP2 class, the Porsche RS Spyders have garnered class wins and an overall win in the past two street races. But the Acura prototype earned the pole at Long Beach and won the opening ALMS round at Sebring. The automaker is not only making a good name in the manufacture of quality auto parts like the Acura cold air intake but also the brand is also popular in the racing arena. In GT2, the 2007 Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, which was new for the year, has finished second to the Ferrari in all three races. But Porsche tracks the manufacturers chase by only 12 points going into Houston.
Uwe Brettel, the Porsche Motorsport North America president, said that he would rather be way ahead in both categories, but he pointed out the close competition is good for the classes and good for the series. "We would like to be far ahead in the points - especially in the GT2 class - but the fans come to the races to see good racing, and Porsche customers teams have provided just that during the first three events. Patrick Long and Darren Law were less than five seconds short of winning Long Beach in their Flying Lizard Porsche, while Jorg Bergmeister in the Lizard team Porsche lost to the Ferrari by two-thousandths of a second at Sebring,” said Brettel.
He added, “Our overall win by the Penske Porsche RS Spyder at Long Beach was exciting, but the Acura provided stiff competition by taking the pole and turning the fastest race lap.” Brettel also pointed out that, with the street course in Houston being repaved for this year's event, and the race being run in April instead of July, the heat and roughness of the course which plagued teams a year ago should not be a factor this year.
In the previous year, both Penske Porsche RS Spyders did not finish the Houston event due to transmission problems linked to the beating of the cars took from the bumpy track surface. For Porsche, the Long Beach overall victory by Romain Dumas and Timo Bernhard in the LMP2 class Penske Porsche RS Spyder was its second one-two overall finish in the ALMS. Additionally, it was the first time any manufacturer has swept the overall podium in ALMS.
In GT2, the Flying Lizard Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 RSR team cars have finished second to the winning Ferrari at all three events so far this season, with the Jorg Bergmeister/Johannes van Overbeek number 45 racer second at Sebring and St. Petersburg, and the number 44 team car of Patrick Long and Darren Law second last weekend in Long Beach. Both cars will be in the hunt for their first win of the season at Houston, with team principal Seth Neiman replacing Long in the 44 Porsche.
It can be recalled that Porsche 911 GT3 R/RS/RSR family of race cars has won the ALMS GT/GT2 drivers and manufacturers class championship every year but one since the series start in 1999. Year 2006 was no exception as Jorg Bergmeister won the championship. The new milestone was achieved with the help of his co-driver Patrick Long and his Petersen/White Lightning Porsche GT3 RSR.
Related Articles
Sirius Satellite Radio and Xm Satellite Radio to Merge
By: Lauren Woods | 21/02/2007 | Automotive
Car Articles, Vehicles, Auto's Articles all related to the automobile world.
Automakers Add High-tech Perks
By: Lauren Woods | 16/03/2007 | Automotive
Car Articles, Vehicles, Auto's Articles all related to the automobile world.
Consumer Reports Recommends Lexus Rx350, Acura Mdx
By: Lauren Woods | 08/06/2007 | Automotive
Car Articles, Vehicles, Auto's Articles all related to the automobile world.
Ford Mustang Gets Glass Roof
By: Anthony Fontanelle | 12/12/2007 | Automotive
Car Articles, Vehicles, Auto's Articles all related to the automobile world.
Peugeot Joins Alms Sebring Winter Test
By: | 10/01/2008 | Automotive
Car Articles, Vehicles, Auto's Articles all related to the automobile world.
The New Frontier of Intelligent Safety
By: Anthony Fontanelle | 10/06/2008 | Cars
Is Your Teenage Driver Safe?
By: Margaret Adams | 22/06/2006 | Automotive
Car Articles, Vehicles, Auto's Articles all related to the automobile world.
2008 Lamborghini Gallardo Looses Weight for Better Aerodynamics
By: Anthony Fontanelle | 18/06/2008 | Cars
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
1966 chevy truck hood
By: Richie Rich | 09-09-2008
1966 Chevy truck Hood, does anyone know where OI can find a stock one?
I would also like to find out about a custom hood
Lincoln replacement headlights I can't seem to ...
By: leegeelee | 07-09-2008
lincoln replacement headlights
I can't seem to find replacement headlight lenses (or if need be the whole assembly) for the faded oxidized ones on my 98' lincoln Continental. Could it be that the headlight assembly for the town car of the same period (98-02?) are the same and will fit my Continental. Please, tell it is so.
Rims
By: stumpfollj | 05-09-2008
will 76 ltd rims fit a 93 f-150 they both are 15 inch rims
I have a set of new front spindles for a 1966 nova ...
By: Budd Rogers | 30-08-2008
I have a set of new front spindles for a 1966 nova With the #3847926AGMT4 fromTCI and I need to know if they are a dropped or not and how much if they are.
Thanks
Budd
Horse power performance for a Packard inline-8
By: michael | 27-08-2008
I need inline 8 performance parts for a 1948 Packard. Anything will be of help. Especialy intake, exhaust, cams etc
Carbon fiber question
By: seankay88 | 23-08-2008
can Carbon Fiber be painted?
Q&A Powered by:
Latest Automotive Articles
US Top 10 Bike Models
By: David H. Urmann | 11/10/2008
Mountain bikes, BMXs, Tandem Bikes, and Children Bikes belong to the top ten bicycle types and models sold by leading bike sellers in America.
The following is the list of bicycle types and models that are very popular among riders in United States.
Road Bikes
Road Bikes are built for...
Top Water For Fuel And HHO Kits - Water4gas Review
By: Al Draker | 10/10/2008
The internet is a powerful tool that can be used for a variety of research terms. Today it is more useful than ever when one is researching options to improve their gas mileage. There are a variety of videos and manuals that aim to help the non-mechanic to convert their...
Water For Gas Hydrogen Kit For Your Car
By: Hirtan Hirtani | 10/10/2008
The price of gas is astronomical these days. People are looking to buy gas saver cars and are all over the internet doing research on gas savers. There is a simple solution to this most perplexing problem and that is buying a hydrogen kit for your present automobile.
What is a...
How to Change Your Brake Fluid
By: Tom Tessin | 10/10/2008
Has it been a while since you last changed your cars brake fluid? If so, you may want to give your car some attention on that. To help keep your car running smoothly, and out of the shop you will want to make sure you give your car the attention...
Prevent Rust Damage To Your Automotive Vehicle
By: Steamboat L. Salter | 09/10/2008
Rust on your car - whether it be car, truck, van or S.U.V, is not only unsightly it can be downright dangerous. Rust can destroy the structure and integrity of your car frame making it dangerous. It can allow dangerous fumes to seep into your vehicle. Once started - rust...
How to Fix a Flat Tire
By: Tom Tessin | 09/10/2008
There is nothing worse than driving to then find out that you have a flat tire. Flat tires always happen when we least expect it and when it's inconvenient. To make sure that you're safe when you're on the road, you want to make sure you know how to change...
The M1 Abrams
By: Brenda Williams | 09/10/2008
Military vehicles, like civilian vehicles, are important and crucial for military transportation and battlefield maneuvering. The most known military fighting vehicle is the M1 Abrams. The M1 Abrams is named after General Creighton Abrams. General Abrams was the commander of the 37th Armored Regiment and is the former Army Chief...
Traffic Signs
By: Brenda Williams | 09/10/2008
Traffic signs can be found all over the roads, helping drivers get from one destination to another. Traffic signs are used to incur speed limits, give directions and warn drivers of dangers in their immediate driving vicinity. Traffic signs vary not only from country to country but even from state...
More from Lauren Woods
Audi Changes Diesel Perception
By: Lauren Woods | 25/07/2007 | Automotive
Audi’s success at the 24 Hours of Le Mans with its diesel powered racecar is changing the way people view diesel engines. New generation of diesel powerplants are much cleaner and less noisy than its predecessors as exhibited by Audi’s R10.
Ferrari Ready to Do Battle
By: Lauren Woods | 21/07/2007 | Automotive
Ferrari is prepared going into the European Grand Prix this weekend. Raikkonen is looking for a hat trick while Massa is looking for a good qualifying session.
Schumacher Confident of Toyota’s Resurgence
By: Lauren Woods | 17/07/2007 | Automotive
Ralf Schumacher is confident of his team’s resurgence after their performance at the past two races. Toyota is currently sixth and is looking to overtake third place BMW Sauber before the end of the season.
Peugeot Introduces Its First Suv
By: Lauren Woods | 14/07/2007 | Automotive
French carmaker Peugeot introduced its first SUV in the form of the Peugeot 4007. The 4007 is the result between the collaboration between Peugeot and Mitsubishi.
Subaru Updates Outback Wagon
By: Lauren Woods | 12/07/2007 | Automotive
The Subaru Outback was redesigned by the Japanese automaker for the 2008 model year. It was refined in terms of exterior and interiors styling.
Volkswagen Fahrenheit Gli Coming in 2008
By: Lauren Woods | 11/07/2007 | Automotive
Volkswagen will introduce a new Fahrenheit for the 2008 model year. The Fahrenheit is aimed to attract performance enthusiasts.
Saturn Vue Receives Praise
By: Lauren Woods | 07/07/2007 | Automotive
The redesigned Saturn Vue is one of the newest additions to the brand’s lineup. The crossover SUV has been praised both in magazines and online.
General Motors Expects Film to Boost Sale
By: Lauren Woods | 04/07/2007 | Automotive
Due to the appearance of four General Motors vehicles on a film the automaker is hoping that this will result to increased sales. The Chevy Camaro, Pontiac Solstice, GMC Topkick and Hummer H2 are featured on the film Transformers.
Automotive 
