THE LOLA T220
All pictures copyright Lola Heritage unless otherwise stated.
The works T220 driven by Peter Revson.
As noted on the T165 page in 1970 Lola changed their previous tactic of producing a Can-Am design and supplying the same car to both customers and the works-supported team of Carl Haas. Instead they followed the McLaren method of providing customers with the previous year's works car and running the new design themselves, an idea which had proven very successful for the Colnbrook team. The result of the switch in strategy saw Lola offering the T165 to their customers and giving the new design, the T220, to Carl Haas to run on their behalf.
The T220 was a further evolution of the T160 series, the aluminium monocoque featured a shorter wheelbase than that favoured by Lola's rivals, the theory being this would make the car more manoeuvrable and nimble. Suspension was conventional, outboard coils/dampers all round, wishbones at the front and a reversed wishbone/top link at the rear. Power came from a massive 8-litre (494 cu. in.) Chevrolet V8 producing some 750 bhp transferred to the road via a Hewland LG500 4-sped gearbox.
The T220 proved to be fast, if a little fragile in the engine department, regularly qualifying in the top four and getting pole at Donnybrooke. Results were also good with Revson taking second at Mid-Ohio and third at Donnybrooke and Laguna Seca. Revson had complained of an instability especially under braking and a huge accident Road Atlanta in SL/01 saw the Haas team asking for a longer wheelbase and the new chassis, SL/02, had the wheelbase increased from 88 inches (224 cms.) to 98 (249 cms.) with the extra length added at the front of the car. Revson was much happier in the modified design with the car now being more predictable.
Year(s) of Construction: 1970
Total Built: 2
The T220 testing at Goodwood. (Picture courtesy of Bob Marston)
T220 RESULTS
1970 Canadian-American Challenge Cup
| DATE | RACE/VENUE | ENTRANT | DRIVER | RESULT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14th June | Can-Am Challenge Race for the Labatt's Blue Trophy and $75,000, Mosport Park | Carl Haas Racing | Peter Revson | DNF |
| 28th June | Le Circuit Mont-Tremblant, St. Jovite | Carl Haas Racing | Peter Revson | DNF |
| 12th July | The Glen, Watkins Glen | Carl Haas Racing | Peter Revson | DNF |
| 26th July | Klondike 200 Can-Am For The Molson Gold Brick, Edmonton International Speedway | Carl Haas Racing | Peter Revson | DNF |
| 23rd August | Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lexington | Carl Haas Racing | Peter Revson | 2nd |
| 30th August | Road America Can-Am Championship, Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin | Carl Haas Racing | Peter Revson | DNF |
| 13th September | Road Atlanta Can-Am, Road Atlanta Circuit | Carl Haas Racing | Peter Revson | DNF |
| 30th September | Can-Am Minneapolis Tribune, Donnybrooke | Carl Haas Racing | Peter Revson | 3rd |
| 18th October | Monterey Castrol Grand Prix, Laguna Seca Raceway | Carl Haas Racing | Peter Revson | 3rd |
| 1st November | 13th Annual Los Angeles Times Grand Prix, Riverside International Raceway | Carl Haas Racing | Peter Revson | DNF |
The T160 series heritage is clear in this shot. (Picture courtesy of Bob Marston)
SIGNIFICANT T220 RACE WINS
1971
DATE |
VENUE/MEETING |
CAR |
DRIVER |
NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28th November | Road Atlanta | Lola T220 | Jerry Hansen | Road Race of Champions (A Sports Racing class) |
1975
DATE |
VENUE/MEETING |
CAR |
DRIVER |
NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st November | Road Atlanta - Champion Spark Plug Road Racing Classic | Lola T220 | Jerry Hansen | Road Race of Champions (A Sports Racing class) |
1976
DATE |
VENUE/MEETING |
CAR |
DRIVER |
NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30th October | Road Atlanta - Champion Spark Plug Road Racing Classic | Lola T220 | Jerry Hansen | Road Race of Champions (A Sports Racing class) |
Pre-race testing at Road America. (Picture courtesy of Bob Marston)
Carl Haas standing by the front wheel of the T220. (Picture courtesy of Bob Marston))
Lining up on the grid in 3rd place next to the McLaren M8D of Peter Gethin. (Picture courtesy of Bob Marston)
Carl Haas congratulates Peter Revson on finishing 2nd at Mid Ohio. (Picture courtesy of Bob Marston)
Designer Bob Marston discussing the T220 with Peter Revson at Edmonton. Judging by the row of rivet holes across the front of the nose and the jury-rigged strake the team were looking for more downforce at the front?(Picture courtesy of Bob Marston)
