Aston Martin power for new Lola LMP1 Coupe

[Wouter Melissen]

Aston Martin Racing will provide engines for the Charouz Racing Systems LMP1 entry at this year’s Le Mans 24 Hours and in the Le Mans Series (LMS).

Aston Martin Racing and Charouz Racing Systems are taking advantage of new LMP regulations for 2008, which allow the use of a GT1 engine in a prototype chassis.

The team will use a new closed cockpit Lola chassis for 2008, fitted with the latest specification Aston Martin six litre V12 unit, which was used in the 2007 GT1 class winning DBR9. Aston Martin Racing will work with Lola to repackage the engine and drivetrain for the new chassis, while engineers from Aston Martin Racing will support the car on event.

Aston Martin Racing has contracted Tomas Enge, Stefan Mucke and Jan Charouz for the 2008 season. All three have been placed with Charouz Racing Systems and will race the Michelin-shod Lola/Aston Martin at Le Mans and in the LMS.

George Howard-Chappell, team principal for Aston Martin Racing, said: “The V12 unit has already proven that it has the performance and endurance to win at Le Mans. We are now looking forward to the challenge of repackaging it in a new lighter chassis and seeing how competitive it can be in the prototype class. It will be great new experience for me and all the team here at Aston Martin Racing.”

[henk4]

I do hope that it will be faster than the Pescarolos...

[go.pawel]

So we'll have Astons not only in GT1 and GT2, but also in LMP1. It seems that the ownership change only affected Aston in a positive way

[Wouter Melissen]

Originally Posted by go.pawel

So we'll have Astons not only in GT1 and GT2, but also in LMP1. It seems that the ownership change only affected Aston in a positive way

I think this will be the last year for the DBR9. At least with factory support.

[Dino Scuderia]

Originally Posted by Wouter Melissen

I think this will be the last year for the DBR9. At least with factory support.

So that's why Ferrari's 599 will not come in until 2009.

[Wouter Melissen]

Originally Posted by Dino Scuderia

So that's why Ferrari's 599 will not come in until 2009.

Well it would be absolutely silly to design a car to the current GT1 regulations. I think that that is a bigger concern for all manufacturers.

[Dino Scuderia]

Indeed. My comment was in jest of course.

[dydzi]

charouz impresses me. for those who don't know, it's one of the richiest people from czech republic. he has dealerships of many brands and imports aston martins, although there is no official AM dealership in the country. he also plans to built a racing complex near prague, with a racing track designed by herman tilke.

so will it be a factory-backed car? i mean, will it be somehow promoted by aston martin as 'their car' or only charouz is buying engines from them because he liked them in DBR9...

[Wouter Melissen]

Originally Posted by dydzi

charouz impresses me. for those who don't know, it's one of the richiest people from czech republic. he has dealerships of many brands and imports aston martins, although there is no official AM dealership in the country. he also plans to built a racing complex near prague, with a racing track designed by herman tilke.

so will it be a factory-backed car? i mean, will it be somehow promoted by aston martin as 'their car' or only charouz is buying engines from them because he liked them in DBR9...

Aston Martin will offer support for the engine, much like Judd or AER would do.

[go.pawel]

Originally Posted by dydzi

charouz impresses me. for those who don't know, it's one of the richiest people from czech republic. he has dealerships of many brands and imports aston martins, although there is no official AM dealership in the country. he also plans to built a racing complex near prague, with a racing track designed by herman tilke.

He's also a racing driver himself (hillclimbing, track racing, Pikes Peak) and the manager of his son Jan and of Tomáš Enge.

[RacingManiac]

Certainly is an interesting powertrain option for the prototype cars, but are these GT1 engine a practical option? Reliability is probably less of an concern, but packagine is vastly different, as well as size, weight and rigidity(remember now in Prototype they are carrying the load for the rear suspension from the gearbox).....plus it still won't be competitive with diesel...

[Wouter Melissen]

Originally Posted by RacingManiac

Certainly is an interesting powertrain option for the prototype cars, but are these GT1 engine a practical option? Reliability is probably less of an concern, but packagine is vastly different, as well as size, weight and rigidity(remember now in Prototype they are carrying the load for the rear suspension from the gearbox).....plus it still won't be competitive with diesel...

The Judd engine in the B06/10 was installed in a subframe, as were all other engines except for the Audi engine. I think they actually had problems installing the engine for this very reason. The biggest problem will be the higher centre of gravity of the engine compared to the 72 and 90 degree engines. Being a production engine, it can run larger restrictors, so it should do particularly well at Le Mans.

It would not surprise me if this is just a test to see how competitive the engine can be. Prodrive's F1 program seems to be terminated altogether now, so a full assault on Le Mans in a year or two looks a lot more likely.

[Ferrer]

Originally Posted by henk4

I do hope that it will be faster than the Pescarolos...

I hope it'll be faster than the Audis and the Peugeots.

But unfortunately it won't.

[Wouter Melissen]

Originally Posted by Ferrer

I hope it'll be faster than the Audis and the Peugeots.

But unfortunately it won't.

How do you know that? I don't recall that anyone has tried a production LMP1 engine against the diesels. Also the petrol cars have received a 25 kg weight cut.

[Ferrer]

Originally Posted by Wouter Melissen

How do you know that? I don't recall that anyone has tried a production LMP1 engine against the diesels. Also the petrol cars have received a 25 kg weight cut.

Of course I don't know.

But since environment and being green is cool now they won't let something as dirty as a petrol engine win.