Why don't the Penske Porsche LMP2 team compete at the 24 Hour of Lemans?

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Motominded

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Why doesn't the Penske Porsche LMP2 team not compete at the 24 Hour of Lemans.

They earned an invitation for their LMP2 2007 Championship win and Petit Le Mans win, but they didn't take it.

I don't understand this decision. Im sure Penske has the funds to fly the cars to Europe.

Penske Racing 1st in 2007 Petit Le Mans Entry not taken
Penske Racing 1st in 2007 American Le Mans Series championship Entry not taken


edit...........I just realized the title is a double negative. :doh:
 
I think it has something to do with Roger himself. I don't think he has any particular interest in competing the cars overseas.
 
does penske exist as a company in europe? that might have something to do with it. not to worry though because there will be some RS spyders competing this year at LM in LMP2
 
*McLaren*
I think it has something to do with Roger himself. I don't think he has any particular interest in competing the cars overseas.
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Well actually your wrong. Roger (Penske) isn't allowed because he gets factory support by Porsche and Acura aswell don't want to compete in 24 hours of Le Mans because it seems that that both the factory teams want to win the overall class.

There are some private entries in LMES and i think they will compete in the 24 Hours this year.
 
Appie
Well actually your wrong. Roger (Penske) isn't allowed because he gets factory support by Porsche and Acura aswell don't want to compete in 24 hours of Le Mans because it seems that that both the factory teams want to win the overall class.

There are some private entries in LMES and i think they will compete in the 24 Hours this year.
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Here is the wiki link to the 2008 Entry list. When it says Entry Not taken, does it mean the A.C.O. refused the team entry?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_24_Hours_of_Le_Mans

Nevermind, i reread the LMP2 regulations.
Performance difference between LMP1 and LMP2 classes and LMP2's role as a class for privateers reinforced

Shame, i really would like to see the Penske RS Spyders at the Sarthe and im sure allot of the fans on both side of the ocean would as well. This is a rule that needs to be looked over. It makes me wonder if this is another time in history where the rules are made to help provide a French team with a win.

What i mean....
3.0L engine cap in 1972 - Matra win 1972, 1973, 1974
Creation of group 6 1976 - Renault win in 1978
 
Appie
Well actually your wrong. Roger (Penske) isn't allowed because he gets factory support by Porsche and Acura aswell don't want to compete in 24 hours of Le Mans because it seems that that both the factory teams want to win the overall class.

There are some private entries in LMES and i think they will compete in the 24 Hours this year.
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That makes sense though I'm merely going by what Roger, himself, said on Speed during a pre-race show about the LMP2 class.
 
Porsche was not want to run Le Mans with the RS Spyder, so no financial support is offered by Porsche. Hence, to compete at Le Mans, teams must pay for it themselves (or, obviously, through sponsors).

Penske and Dyson do not want to do this, and neither does Horag Racing. Van Merkstiejn Motorsport and Team Essex will both attempt to run Le Mans without factory support.
 
Penske wouldn't stand a chance against Audi or Peugeot if their aim was to win overall. It's probable that they can whitewash the LMP2 class though IMO. LMP2 cars aren't really in their element on long distance tracks are they? The commentators on Motors TV kept commenting on the Audi's awesome torque out of the hairpin (can't remember the name) at Long Beach.

(I'm a bit of a noob in terms of being an ALMS viewer, having only watched 2 seasons so far so my knowledge isn't too good.)
 
Viper-Fan
Penske wouldn't stand a chance against Audi or Peugeot if their aim was to win overall. It's probable that they can whitewash the LMP2 class though IMO. LMP2 cars aren't really in their element on long distance tracks are they? The commentators on Motors TV kept commenting on the Audi's awesome torque out of the hairpin (can't remember the name) at Long Beach.

(I'm a bit of a noob in terms of being an ALMS viewer, having only watched 2 seasons so far so my knowledge isn't too good.)
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The LMP1 and LMP2 classes are closer together in terms of performance in the ALMS than they would be at Le Mans. The Audi was pretty much built for Le Mans and since it's a speed track, the Porsche would not be as competitive as it looks like in the ALMS.
 
If Porsche isn't offering factory support I don't blame Penske for not going.
 
The359
Porsche was not want to run Le Mans with the RS Spyder, so no financial support is offered by Porsche. Hence, to compete at Le Mans, teams must pay for it themselves (or, obviously, through sponsors).

Penske and Dyson do not want to do this, and neither does Horag Racing. Van Merkstiejn Motorsport and Team Essex will both attempt to run Le Mans without factory support.
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Hmmm, that`s really not it either. The ACO has some rule that rule out factory supported LMP2 cars.
This is strictly done so that privateers can have a go at Le Mans aswell.
 
The359
Porsche was not want to run Le Mans with the RS Spyder, so no financial support is offered by Porsche. Hence, to compete at Le Mans, teams must pay for it themselves (or, obviously, through sponsors).

Penske and Dyson do not want to do this, and neither does Horag Racing. Van Merkstiejn Motorsport and Team Essex will both attempt to run Le Mans without factory support.
Click to expand...

Exactly. Roger says he would like to go to Le Mans, but Porsche wants full concentration on the ALMS championship. So if Penske goes, its Penskes money...which for a P2 team, with 2 cars, all expenses...looking at around 6 million for Le Mans. I dont think Roger wants to go that badly :D

Van Merkstiejn Motorsport is doing very well in the LMS, in practice at Monza, a second up on 2nd place P2.
 

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