Penske to dump ALMS for Grand-Am
10/16/08 Penske added fuel to rumors that his American Le Mans Series participation with Porsche will come to an end at the close of this season.
"Rule changes for next year will make it more difficult for our [LMP2-class cars] to compete with the [LMP1s] next year, and we don't want to race just for class victory," he said. "But we haven't made any decisions yet."
10/05/08 The Penske Team has reapplied for their car numbers for next year so it appears they have plans of returning. But if not with Porsche then who?
09/22/08 The factory Penske Porsche ALMS entry could be discontinued at the end of the year but the new ACO rules could change this situation.
The new engine rules for 2011 sees their current engines being eligible for P2 and P1 in 2011, giving them an edge over most of their competitors (Audi, Acura, Peugeot, Aim, Judd) who will see their current engines become illegal in 2011.
By developing this engine and subsequent guises of this engine, Porsche could have a leg up on the opposition if they continue to seriously race their engine in a competitive series like the ALMS.
Porsche have always held the desire to enter the LMP1 class but have not done so for political and sporting reason and these new rules could open the way for a Porsche return to the highest class of sportscar racing. Feedmesportscars
09/02/08 Hearing that Walker could be buying the Penske Porsches for the Mansells who are rumored to be wanting to run sportscars together – Dad Nigel and his two sons, who ran the Atlantic Series this year, neither showing the speed it takes to race and win at the top level of open wheel, hence a move to sportscars where outright speed is not as important.
08/30/08 According to this SPEEDTV.com article, Porsche is going to drop their factory support of the 2-car Penske ALMS LMP2 effort and Penske Racing is looking to sell their cars and equipment. Derrick Walker is said to be considering running them as a privateer entry. With Acura moving most of its factory effort up to LMP1 next year, the LMP2 scene will be dominated by privateer teams it would seem.