http://www.penskeracing.com/news.asp?chaid=81070

ATLANTA, April 15 /PRNewswire/ -- In response to increasing customer
demand and to raise the excitement level in American sports cars racing,
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (PCNA), and Porsche Motorsport North America
(PMNA), today revealed they will embark on a new racing program created for
customers in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS). The two organizations have
commissioned their parent company, Porsche AG, to design and construct a
racecar that will be eligible to compete in the LMP2 (Le Mans Prototype 2)
class of the ALMS. It will be the first Porsche-built prototype racecar since
the 1998 Porsche 911 GT1.
Penske Motorsports, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Penske Racing,
Inc., will field the new Porsche prototype in its first full season of
competition exclusively in 2006. One of the world's most successful racing
organizations, Penske Motorsports has a rich racing history with Porsche
highlighted by winning championships in the 1972 and 1973 SCCA Can-Am series
campaigning the legendary Porsche 917/10 and 917/30 race cars. It is
anticipated Penske Motorsports will debut the new Porsche prototype at the
final two races of the 2005 ALMS season, the Oct. 1st Petit Le Mans at Road
Atlanta and the Oct. 16th season finale at Laguna Seca, as test events before
entering the entire 2006 season.
"Our American racing customers have made it clear to us that they would
like to move up several levels in ALMS competition, as would we," said Peter
Schwarzenbauer, PCNA President and CEO. "We believe this new Porsche prototype
program will provide the perfect means to do so and will generate added
enthusiasm for sports car racing in America, especially with Penske
Motorsports as our partner and initial entrant."
Porsche's current ALMS customer program, administered by PMNA, is confined
to the GT2 (formerly GT) Class, where Porsche customer teams have captured a
record 47 victories resulting in Manufacturers Championships in five of the
past six seasons primarily racing variants of the production-based Porsche 911
GT3. It is the latest in more than 30 years of highly successful North
American Porsche customer racing programs that have featured such famed
Porsche racecars as the 934, 935 and 962.
"PMNA is fully committed to provide the same level of customer support for
this new ALMS prototype program once it reaches fruition," commented PMNA
President, Uwe Brettel. "Indications are there is real interest in a racecar
such as this for the LMP2 class."
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (PCNA), based in Atlanta, Ga., and its
subsidiary, Porsche Cars Canada, Ltd., are the exclusive importers of Porsche
911, Boxster and Carrera GT sports cars and Cayenne sport utility vehicles for
the United States and Canada. A wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of Dr. Ing.
h.c.F. Porsche AG, PCNA employs approximately 250 people who provide Porsche
vehicles, parts, service, marketing and training for its 205 U.S. and Canadian
dealers. They, in turn, provide Porsche owners with best-in-class service.

 

Sounds awesome, thanks for the news!

 

glad to hear this

 

great news...ALMS prototype racing is incredible.

 

Great to hear, thnx for the info.

I went to the Grand Prix of Atlanta (GT2 Class) at Road Atlanta this pass weekend with my family. Great experience and a wonderful time was had by all (Wife, kids ages 13, 11, & 3). Now they can appreciate the CGT more

I look forward to PMNA upcoming efforts to up the ante on ALMS competition.