One thing I wish in the series - and I've talked to Scott Atherton and Tim Mayer, and I'd like to talk to Don Panoz about it - is that we're in America and people want to see racing. I'm not sure people understand all these classes. Sometimes I don't understand it sometimes. But overall it's been a fantastic series and from a Penske Racing perspective, it gives us an opportunity to compete in long-distance events and use our strategy.
Q:
Why are big-name teams from other motorsports avenues following your lead by entering the American Le Mans Series?
RP:
What's happening is that you're seeing Honda adding interest as they had an engine they were looking at building for the Indy Car Series, and that engine fits the LMP2 specs. They were able to go to teams that had been related to Honda during the Indy Car Series and as people wanted to expand their programmes this was a great opportunity. They'll come with different chassis whereas Porsche is vertically integrated with engine, transmission, driveline and chassis.
This really is a great series. Road racing has always been at the heart of the United States. Oval racing obviously has taken the lead over the years but I think you're seeing a resurgence in sports car racing. There's a good balance. And the fact that we have multiple manufacturers makes it very interesting for a promoter rather than just one is very important.
The series has a lot of momentum, and I think the management knows what we need to do. The new tracks next year, we're looking forward to having - including the city of Detroit and Belle Isle. It's going to be a great weekend and gives us an opportunity to bring different fans to the track, and that's what you need today. With all of the competition in sports - and auto racing in my mind is at the top - you need that kind of diversity.
Q:
One of the questions we're asked most often regard the team's plans of going to Le Mans? Is that part of the programme for the next couple of years?
RP:
We get the same questions. Le Mans is a completely different kettle of fish. It's a 24-hour race, and it's a huge expense. That's a decision that Porsche has to make. We haven't raced there since the 1970s with the
Ferrari 512. I'd love to go back. But again with the cost of racing today and the availability of sponsorships and only being able to run in LMP2, I don't think we'd be ready to go until we could challenge for leadership in LMP1. I'm not indicating whether we're going or not going.
