Dumas/Bernard Porsche RS Spyder Leads for Half of Houston ALMS Race Before Late DNF

Dumas/Bernard Porsche RS Spyder Leads for Half of Houston ALMS Race Before Late DNF

Posted: May 13th, 2006 in American Le Mans
Author: Penske Racing
Photo By: Joe Martin

The Romain Dumas/Timo Bernhard Penske Porsche RS Spyder made American Le Mans Series history for Porsche Saturday night by taking the overall race lead for the first time early in the Lone Star Grand Prix of Houston. It then held the lead for 72 of the 143 laps before a late-race drivetrain problem sidelined the car.

As the most successful manufacturer in American Le Mans Series history with 59 GT, GT1 and LMP2 class wins, Porsche had never led an ALMS race until lap #13 at Houston, when Dumas passed James Weaver’s pole-winning Lola to take the overall race lead. He held the top spot for the next 50 laps, outdistancing both the Lola and the McNish/Capello Audi R8.

After a series of pit stops, Bernhard re-captured the lead from the more powerful LMP1 cars for 22 more laps until the Porsche had to pit to replace the battery. The car was still in contention when it came in only eight laps later with terminal drivetrain problems.

The team Penske Motorsports Porsche RS Spyder of Sascha Maassen and Lucas Luhr fell behind when the Audi hit the car from the rear causing a flat tire on lap six. It moved all the way up to second place before a drivetrain problem ended its run with only 20 minutes left in the race.

Although Maassen/Luhr were ten laps ahead in class at that moment, there was too much time remaining, and the Halliday/Field Lola overtook them for the class win. Sascha and Lucas finished third in class and Dumas/Bernhard were fourth, picking up valuable championship points.