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German legend meets Aussie iconPorsche RS Spyder to perform demonstration laps at Bathurst 1000

Once a dominant force on international race tracks, the iconic Porsche RS Spyder will undertake a new challenge this October: Mount Panorama, Bathurst.

The 2006 American Le Mans Series LMP2-winning Porsche, the first ever RS Spyder in competition, will complete demonstration laps at the famous Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 event driven by Dutch sports car ace and former RS Spyder driver Jeroen Bleekemolen.

Best known for its success in the American Le Mans Series against its more powerful LMP1 rivals, the development of the 480 hp (353 kW) RS Spyder prototype was the first new project built by Porsche exclusively for racing since its successful 1998 24 Hours of Le Mans campaign with the Porsche 911 GT1.

The #6 Porsche RS Spyder made its racing debut in 2005 and will visit the world-renowned 6.213 km Bathurst circuit in celebration of Porsche’s LMP1 return to Le Mans in 2014.

The #6 RS Spyder competed in 11 races over the 2005 and 2006 American Le Mans Series, in which time it claimed four LMP2 race victories and never finished outside the top three position in its class.

Tasked with driving the Porsche at Bathurst, Dutch driver Bleekemolen is looking forward to the ‘surreal’ opportunity, four years after taking LMP2 class victory at the celebrated 24 Hours of Le Mans, also aboard an RS Spyder.

“This is an amazing opportunity: to drive the RS Spyder around Bathurst - one of the world’s best tracks,” said Bleekemolen.

“The RS Spyder is without doubt one of the greatest race cars I have ever driven – and many of its past drivers would say the same. With this in mind, driving the RS Spyder around Mount Panorama will indeed be a surreal experience.

“Having raced at Bathurst earlier this year in the Bathurst 12 Hour, I can truly say that it’s one of my favourite race tracks; it’s unlike any other circuit I’ve driven. I’d suggest that I’ll be the envy of many race drivers around the world that weekend.”

The Porsche model also has an Australian history, with Ryan Briscoe competing full-time in an RS Spyder during the 2007 American Le Mans Series and for the final three American Le Mans Series events in 2008, in which time he scored four LMP2 class race wins and two outright victories.

The famed prototype is part of Porsche’s ‘rolling museum’ and will be accompanied by the museum’s charismatic ambassador, Klaus Bischof, at Bathurst.

The #6 Porsche RS Spyder will be on display in the Porsche City Index Carrera Cup Australia paddock during the four-day Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 event.

17/9/2012