Porsche back at Le Mans?

[PhilRS]

ORIGINAL: Tony

I know what you mean Phil - but sadly the rule makers aren't going to provide the freedom that existed in those days, too many vested interests!

ORIGINAL: RSGulp

I can understand why Phil and people on other forums have commented on it looking a bit like a cross between a Ferrari, Noble, Evora, Mc F1, [ fill in with whatever car you think it looks a bit like ].

But with wind-tunnels and aerodynamics massively influencing the design of racing car body shape, it's only natural that they eventually begin to look a little similar. There's only so many ways you can skin a cat. You only need to look at Formula 1 or LMP1 (LM prototype) race cars... with very few exceptions, if they didn't have racing liveries or manufacturers badges I think it would be extremely difficult to tell them apart.

I agree with this. But I would like to equate what comes out of Porsche with the engineering creativity of its forebarers (e.g. Metzger and Singer, including bending of the rulebook for the latter), with their commitment to genuinely excel (e.g. Piech) and with their will to project racing activities at the forefront of the best of motor-racing competition (e.g. 917 Turbo; Maclaren TAG-Formula 1 engine; Moby-Dick 935; 993 GT1 and so forth).

Since the 993 GT1 we have only had the Spyder and now the 918 RSR. Why doesn't Porsche project itself at the forefront of motor racing? Audi, Peugeot and others have done so in categories where Porsche used to lead. In contrast, Porsche has been confined to lower categories and frankly not with great success (with class wins, but not always true--e.g. 996/7 RSRs). Meanwhile (though I am well aware that this has changed significantly since a certain Sept. 2008), the company was the most profitable car manufacturer, with enough finance to potentially absorb the VW-Audi-et al. group.

In the context of the company's history, the 918 RSR appears like a modest outcome; more like a modern 550 or a 904 than a 917 or 956.

I'd be delighted to be proven wrong, though, because it would make me a lot more interested in what comes out of the Porsche company these days. Seriously, they are testing their hard-core fans!

Ferrari doesn't (OK, I am now running for cover) [][][]

 

[RSGulp]

I know what you're saying Phil. I never, ever thought I'd get behind a 'hybrid-electro-ac/dc-flywheeled-pandering-to-the-eco-bunnies' racing car.

BUT, I'd love to see a 1-2-3 finish at Le Mans in 2012 with 3x factory 918RSRs showing Peugeot and Audi that Porsche might have had a few years off but they never truly went away.

 

[Tony]

Much truth in what you say Phil. Sadly a complex and in parts political situation.
Porsche achieved a level of sports car dominance other manufacturers were reluctant to compete - (maybe that's why Ferrari pulled out of frontline sportscar racing[]). The rule makers tried to counter this, sometimes at the very last minute which left a bad taste with Porsche.
The Ferrari International Assistance more or less tried to kill off serious sports car racing - (not so easy to televise or profitable) - remember when circuit lap records were held by sportscars not F1's. (and yes I know that's still true on the Nordscheife).
It's also easy to understand Porsche's focus on the smaller classes given the commercial success.
In the middle of all this one name stands out. Herr Piech was instrumental in both Porsche and Audi's sportscar programmes.
Now it's all 'one big happy family' and Porsche is the Sportscar company maybe - just maybe the 918 is an interim step.
Let's just not mention the F1 thing to much - maybe Bugatti could do that - their the bling outfit in the family[8|]