![]() ![]() Porsche, with its decades-long Hugo Boss sponsorship, decked out drivers and crew members in fashionable uniforms just a few logos away from upscale business casual. Of the four manufacturers present, only the newly christened Porsche Penske Motorsport had official signage in its temporary garage. Penske’s signature sharp aesthetics are unmistakable, even in a December test six weeks before the 963’s Daytona debut. The pairing is less of a culture clash and more of a fascinating look at where German and American racing culture dovetail. Diuguid says the team will use all of that combined strength at once to support the relevant programs at Daytona and Le Mans. Their ability to share notes as part of a whole-factory operation is a unique strength. The two resulting programs-one in Mooresville, North Carolina, and the other in Mannheim, Germany-draw from pools of talent experienced in IMSA and WEC. Porsche Penske Motorsport managing director Jonathan Diuguid is responsible for building new “mirrored” Penske teams in the U.S. The Porsche Penske 963’s livery was inspired by the red-and-white Salzburg 917 that won Le Mans in 1970. The 963’s design incorporates elements of road cars into a sleek, timeless look, with headlights below the fenders and a taillight bar reminiscent of the current 911. The new engine uses low boost pressure to produce relatively even torque distribution and combines with the hybrid system for a peak output of 671 hp, the limit for the class. The 963 uses a twin-turbo 4.6-liter V-8, one with roots in the V-8 from the RS Spyder, Porsche’s championship-winning LMP2 rocket ship of the Aughts. ![]() ![]() Manufacturers have relatively free rein with body design and the engine. Prototypes that adhere to the new LMDh rules are built around a next-generation LMP2-class carbon-fiber tub-Porsche’s is from Multimatic-and a spec hybrid system. The 963 is a departure for Porsche, as it isn’t all built in-house. That car, freed of all regulations, lapped the Nürburgring in 5 minutes, 19.55 seconds, obliterating Stefan Bellof’s long-held 1983 record in a Porsche 956 by nearly a minute. After its retirement, the 919 Hybrid became the barnstorming 919 Evo. The 919 Hybrid, the only Porsche prototype to fight for a Le Mans win in this millennium, raced for just four seasons it won Le Mans and the FIA World Endurance Championship three times each. Porsche’s overall Le Mans wins stretch back to 1970, but its recent history at la Sarthe is one of dominance. There’s a flood of information to process and act upon. Porsche and Penske have a history going back more than 50 years. ![]()
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