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  Lola B05/40 Zytek      

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Country of origin:Great Britain
Produced in:2005
Internal name:B05/40
Author:Wouter Melissen
Last updated:July 03, 2006
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Click here to download printer friendly versionFounded in 1958 by Eric Broadley, Lola has been at the forefront of motorracing throughout its history. Lola products have won in almost any form of road racing, but this is often forgotten because the chassis often get rebadged to who ever commissioned the racer. One of the most recent examples was the MG EX257, which was known internally at as the Lola B01/60. Like many of the manufacturer's sportscar designs it proved very quick, but fragile. Since its launch in 2001 a number of LMP675 class victories were scored, and in its final year it even successfully took on the Audi R8, and scored the overall victory in a round of the 2005 ALMS championship.

At the end of the 2005 season, the complete range of Lola prototype racers would be obsolete because of extensive rule changes. Since 2004 the prototype classes are divided in LMP1 and LMP2, but up until 2005 the old LMP675 and LMP900 cars were still eligible to run in the LMP1 class. The moderate-budget LMP2 class was open only to new cars, and leading French chassis manufacturer Courage was the first to launch an LMP2 car at the start of the 2004 season. Lola followed suit in 2005 with the B05/40, designed to accept a number of engine variants.

Compared to the relatively straightforward Courage, the Lola LMP2 car looks quite different with a long front overhang and a very short rear end. This new design direction is a result of the aerodynamic restrictions set by the sport's governing bodies to prevent the racers from flipping. Another instantly noticeable change is the symmetrical roll-over structure, increasing the impression of the racers being proper two-seaters. Throughout the B05/40's design process Lola have not only concentrated on getting the optimum performance, but also kept a close eye restricting the production and running costs.

Featured is the Lola B05/40 owned and campaigned by Binnie Motorsports. For the 2005 season the team used a Nicholson-McLaren, but after disappointing results, it was replaced by a Zytek V8 for 2006. After a third place class finish in the Sebring 12 Hours and Spa 1000 km, the team went to Le Mans with high hopes. Despite several problems throughout the race, the car held together long enough to claim a second place in class finish.

The Binnie Motorsports Lola B05/40 is seen here in action in 2006 at the Spa 1000 km in the first six shots and at Le Mans in the next six shots.

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  Article Image gallery (44) Specifications