The American Le Mans Series (ALMS) was created in 1999 to manage endurance races by taking model from Le Mans, in close collaboration with the ACO. Ingeniously the authorized cars for the ALMS were eligible for the 24 hours of Le Mans.
Porsche made its comeback in 2005 in the ALMS Le Mans Prototype LMP2 category, with a new RS Spyder under the reference 9R6. The lack of interest of the brand for the top class LMP1 surprised the observers. In fact the rules of the LMP1 were too favorable to the diesel technology with which Porsche had no plans.
From 2006 to 2008 the domination of Porsche in the LMP2 class is total. The highest achievement is reached at the 12 hours of Sebring 2008 with three RS Spyder Evo in the first four positions, the first LMP1 being third.
Fifteen RS Spyders are built from 2005 to 2008. The solutions of its V8 90° 4 liter engine will be reused in the development of the V8 4.6 liter engine of the 918 hybrid. The rules will change again and the success of the RS Spyder will encourage Porsche to create an LMP1, the 919. In the rearview the disdain of Porsche for the diesel looks like a good decision.
On August 24 at Pebble Beach, Gooding sells as lot 44 a Porsche RS Spyder made in 2007. It was part of a group of two bought by a private team to compete in the ALMS competitions. The team gave up this project and this car had a very limited use. Here is the link to the press release. The estimate is not published because of the extreme rarity of this model on the market.
Please watch the video shared by the auction a house.
SOLD for $ 4.5M including premium
The Pebble Beach Auctions online catalogue is LIVE: https://t.co/ncrCYT4a2x. So is this 2007 #Porsche RS Spyder - one of the most successful prototype racing cars in Porsche history! #GoodingPebble pic.twitter.com/2ZihXjHKVJ
— Gooding & Company (@goodingandco) July 26, 2018