Lola cars and stars took centre stage at the first day of the Autosport International Show in Birmingham on Thursday.

Lola Cars International, Managing Director, Robin Brundle was joined on the main stage by Lord Paul Drayson (Drayson Racing Lola) and Guy Smith (Dyson Racing Lola) to discuss all their exciting 2010 racing prospects.

After announcing the 2010 LMP development details on the eve of the show, Brundle was asked about the aims and objectives for the season ahead.

“Our engineers are continuously striving to improve the LMP products and we still remain the only constructor to offer the full range of LMP1 and LMP2 open and closed models,” he said. “We are completely committed to all our customers in terms of ensuring that we have the best available sportscar with cost effective development updates. After success last season on both sides of the Atlantic, we are aiming for more wins and titles in 2010.”

In addition to the new look 2010 LMP, Brundle also announced plans for a special Lola Heritage event at Thruxton in August. The roar of Lola T70s will mix with the scream of the marques’ famous 2-litre sportscar series in an invitational one-hour race at the UK’s fastest racetrack. In a rare un-silenced event, the grid of Lola sportscars is set to stir the memories of famous races in the 1960’s, when famous names such as Denny Hulme and Brian Redman won in Lola T70s.

Lord Drayson, whose Drayson Racing team moved in to the LMP1 class last year with the Lola-Judd LMP1, was fulsome in his praise for the Lola LMP product, saying;

“Lola are real racers at heart and they delivered on their promise of getting the car bang on time last autumn. The car is just wonderful to drive. It is an incredible experience to race this car. The only experience I have had like it is being in the back of a fighter jet and I’m really not exaggerating!”

Dyson Racing is looking ahead to a second full season with the LMP2 Lola, which they will again campaign in the American Le Mans Series with Mazda power.

2003 Le Mans 24 Hours winner, Guy Smith was relishing the prospect of once again sharing the team's Lola with team boss Chris Dyson.

“2009 was a building year for the team and this year I feel it is going to be a great battle in the ALMS,” said Smith. “Lola and Mazda have been working really hard and I am confident that we can have a very strong year in 2010.”



The Drayson Racing LMP1 Lola on the main Autosport stand. (Lola Heritage)



Robin Brundle, Lord Paul Grayson and Guy Smith. (Lola Heritage)



The Drayson Racing LMP car in action. (Lola Heritage)