Dyson splits with Porsche

Dyson Racing has announced that with the end of the 2008 American Le Mans Series season, it will be concluding its partnership with Porsche Motorsport and Porsche Motorsport North America. For the 2007 and 2008 race seasons, Dyson Racing campaigned two Porsche RS Spyders in the Series’ LMP2 class, successfully assisting Porsche in winning back-to-back manufacturer championships.

“There is no more competitive and interesting series in racing today than the American Le Mans Series," noted Team Principal Rob Dyson. “Competing at the highest levels of sports car racing with Porsche and their historical pedigree has been an invigorating experience for our whole organization. We have enjoyed working with Porsche and their people here in the States and over in Germany. Their help in putting together a new car in less than five days after our crash at Lime Rock this year will always stand in our minds as a singular display of their dedication."

Harmut Kristen, Director of Porsche Motorsport, said, “Dyson Racing possibly took on one of the toughest challenges in sports car racing when they made the decision to enter two RS Spyders in the American Le Mans Series for 2007. But from the start in Sebring they were right there with us until the last race in Laguna Seca this year. It has been a rich and rewarding experience for all of us to cooperate on that level of racing with a team that has such a great history. I know the Dyson team will also have a great future."

The 2007 season was a homecoming for Porsche and Dyson Racing. The team ran Porsche 962s in the IMSA GTP series from 1985 through 1991, winning a dozen races with 19 podium finishes and four consecutive Porsche Cups. It won the first race they ran with the Porsche 962 at Lime Rock in May of 1985.

“In honor of our 25th anniversary in professional racing this year, we painted one of our RS Spyders at Lime Rock in the same colors as our winning car from 1985," said Chris Dyson. “It is fitting that we celebrated our silver anniversary year running with Porsche as they were instrumental in establishing our ascendancy to the top levels of sports car racing. We thank them for all of their support over the years and look back fondly on the friends we have made and the memories we share."