Porsche, Penske to Bring Back Iconic Numbers for 963 Effort

Photo: Porsche

The Porsche Penske Motorsport Porsche 963s competing in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GTP class next year will carry the Nos. 6 and 7, in reference to the two organizations’ past success with the Porsche RS Spyder program and more.

Announced on Friday, the factory LMDh cars will utilize the same numbers that took Team Penske and Porsche to a sweep of American Le Mans Series LMP2 titles between 2006-08.

“Both the number 6 and number 7 have a rich tradition and history with Team Penske, and we want to build on that legacy as we begin this new journey with the Porsche Penske Motorsport program,” said team owner Roger Penske.

“Car No. 6 delivered the very first victory for Team Penske with a class win at the 24 Hours of Daytona more than 56 years ago, so we are excited to carry the tradition forward.

“Our teams have produced many race wins and series championships over the years with both the No. 6 and No. 7 cars and we look forward to adding to that track record of success in the future.”

The first major success in the ALMS was achieved by the No. 6 Porsche RS Spyder, with Lucas Luhr and Sascha Maassen claiming a class win in the car’s first official race outing at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in 2005.

The duo won the LMP2 title one year later, with the No. 7 coming into its prime and notching up a total of 16 class victories over the three-year period.

“Thanks to these wins, the number seven has turned into one of my favorite and luckiest numbers,” said Timo Bernhard, who scored two championship titles at that time.

“The number 7 came to mean a great deal to me back then, but even before that, Porsche and Penske had established a tradition in motor racing with it.

“Back in the 1970s, Team Penske’s Porsche 917 contested the Can-Am Series, flying the numbers 6 and 7.

“We were very proud to get the chance to continue this tradition in the ALMS. And it certainly won’t be any different for the drivers in the Porsche 963 next year.”

While the since-retired Bernhard will not be part of the driver lineup for the Porsche 963, the German manufacturer is expected to finalize its pairings in the coming weeks.

Eight drivers have so far been confirmed for the ten seats across the WeatherTech Championship and FIA World Endurance Championship.

Sportscar365 understands that Porsche Penske’s WEC program will not feature the Nos. 6 and 7.

“When I see our new Porsche 963 decked out with the race numbers 6 and 7, it evokes wonderful memories of the glory days with the RS Spyder in the USA,” said Porsche Motorsport boss Thomas Laudenbach, who was responsible for developing the engine in the RS Spyder.

“We won everything there was to win back then. For us, it was about class victories in the LMP2 category but we still managed a major coup: Overall victory at the 12 Hours of Sebring.

“We’re now eager to add to these great and triumphant times and fight for overall victory at Daytona, Sebring and other events in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.”

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John