The Porsche RS Spyder, developed specifically to meet the LMP2 regulations was first used exclusively in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) Here, it achieved great success, as numerous race victories as well as manufacturer, driver and team championships in the 2006 and 2007 seasons go to testify. For the 2008 season, the RS Spyder has been further improved, especially in terms of aerodynamics and fuel consumption. In the 2008 season, for the first time in Europe, the RS Spyder had a successful start in the 1,000 km races in the Le Mans Series (LMS) and at the Le Mans 24 Hours race itself.

The Dutch team of Van Merksteijn Motorsport comes from the rallying and GT Sport world. With their Porsche RS Spyder, the team started in the Prototype class for the 2008 season. Team owner and driver Peter van Merksteijn was joined by former Formula 1 driver Jos Verstappen and the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup 2008 champion, Jeroen Bleekemolen. The team proved to be extremely successful - the class win at Le Mans 24 Hours, four wins in five races in the Le Mans Series, the championship in the driver category for Jos Verstappen and finally the win in the team category of the LMP2 class speak for themselves.

The second team, and the first to enter an RS Spyder in the LMS, is Team Essex from Denmark. In recent years, this team has focused primarily on Touring Car events. However, team boss and driver John Nielsen, as well as second driver Casper Elgaard already had extensive experience in long-distance races in the GT and Prototype classes. Like Van Merksteijn Motorsport, Team Essex was lined up for the LMS and also had its sights set on the Le Mans 24 Hours race. The Danish team secured second place in the series and in the legendary long-distance classic.

Horag Racing from Switzerland has already had many years of motor racing success at an international level. The team as well as the drivers Fredy Lienhard, Didier Theys and Jan Lammers all have extensive experience with prototypes. With the distinctive red-and-white paintwork on their RS Spyder, they were scheduled to take part in the entire LMS season as well as in selected races on the ALMS circuit. In addition to third place in the LMP2 team category, the RS Spyder driven by Horag Racing also won the Michelin Energy Endurance Challenge, an overall classification open to all classes for the most energy-efficient car in the LMS.

You will find more information about these three European RS Spyder teams on their respective websites: