2008 Porsche RS Spyder Evo Pilots: S. Maassen, R. Briscoe, P. Long Team: Penske Racing Race: DNF at Sebring 12 Hours in 2008 Minichamps - WAP02060916 (diecast)
Published 03/16/18
The RS Spyder (Type 9R6) was a design collaboration between Porsche and Penske Racing. The project had one specific aim: Le Mans Prototype Class 2 (LMP2). The RS Spyder marked Porsches comeback to prototype racing after being absent since 1999. The car’s chassis was a rigid carbon fiber monocoque, with both the engine and transmission being integral stressed members. The engine was a brand new design, from the ground up. It was a normally aspirated, 32-valve, DOHC, 3400 cm³ 90º V8 that pushed 478 hp. Weight was a big issue for the designers, and without fluids the car weighed a feathery 750 kg.
The first race of the RS Spyder was at Laguna Seca in the 2005 American Le Mans Series (ALMS). It was Penske’s solo car in the race and managed a 5th overall and 1st in class. In the following season Penske had two cars running and finished the year with the LMP2 Championship in their pockets. A rule change occurred for the 2007 season, so Porsche revamped the car. The updated car became known as the RS Spyder Evo, and though heavier (825 kg), it became more powerful – 803 hp. Once again Penske closed the season owning the LMP2 Championship.
This #6 (chassis #9R6-801) raced at the 12 Hours of Sebring in 2008, but with an overheating engine it retired. But it’s sister car, the #7, came in 1st place. With that, for the third season in a row (!), Penske won the LMP2 Championship. And maybe because of Penske’s overwhelming success, in my eyes the RS Spyder Evo has to be in DHL yellow to look right. And now I FINALLY have the car in the proper color, thanks to my good buddy Jeff, that added this beauty to his mystery parcel. This is a DE from Minichamps, that did a cracking job on the model. As much as I like Le Mans cars, and I do have one, I would say this is the version of the car to have.