THE LOLA T270-272
The T270 in the Lola factory.
Lola's new Indy challenger for 1972 was the T270 and it followed what had now become an annual Lola tradition in that it wasn't completed and shipped to the US until the end of April meaning that its first race would be the Indy 500, leaving little time for testing and no race experience. The recent previous models, the T150/T152/T153 designs had been successful, racking up twelve wins and nineteen other podium finishes including a second and third at the Indy 500 but, despite this, manufacturers like McLaren, Eagle, Coyote and Parnelli held the numerical sway.
Wally Dallenbach in his T270 before the 1972 Indy 500. (Indycar.com)
By 1972 aerodynamics were becoming more and more important in Indy chassis design and the T270 adopted a full-width nosecone with prominent longitudinal strakes on the top surfaces. Aft of the front wheels the bodywork flared outwards to the maximum permitted width to reduce drag from the rear wheels. The monocoque terminated behind the driver and the engine and gearbox were fitted to a subframe attached to the back of the tub, a different subframe could be fitted depending on whether a Ford or Offenhauser was employed. Fuel bag tanks totalling 62.5 gallons (75 US gallons, 284 litres) were fitted and a rear wing was mounted above the gearbox and angled rearwards, again featuring strakes. Suspension was outboard front and rear and followed normal Lola practice, wheel sizes were 15” X 10” (38cm X 25.4cm) at the front and 15” X 14” (38cm X 35.6cm) at the rear. Wheelbase was 103.5” (263cm) and the track 61.5” (156cm) front and rear.
Results for the T270/T272 were reasonable with highlights being fourth for Sam Sessions at the Indianapolis 500 and second for Wally Dallenbach at the Michigan 200. The 1972 season only comprised ten rounds whereas 1973 had sixteen and reliability was generally poor as engine builders strived for more power and it was not uncommon for half the field to retire so perhaps there weren’t too many chances to shine.
Three cars were built for 1972, two as a T270s and one as a T272. The T272 appears to have been a T270 with modified suspension and was introduced at the California 500 and driven by Art Pollard who finished 7th. It's likely that this is the car Pollard also drove at Trenton and Phoenix at the end of 1972 and at Texas at the start of 1973 and was tested by McRae at the 1973 Indianapolis 500.
Year(s) of Construction: 1972
Total Built: 3 (2xT270 1xT272)
Fourth-placed Sam Sessions at the Indy 500. (Indycar.com)
T270 1972 USAC National Championship Trail Results
| DATE | RACE/VENUE | ENTRANT | DRIVER | RESULT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27th May | International 500 Mile Sweepstakes, Indianapolis Motor Speedway | Gene White Firestone STP Oil Treatment STP Oil Treatment |
Sam Sessions Wally Dallenbach Art Pollard |
4th 15th DNS |
| 4th June | Rex Mays Classic, The Milwaukee Mile | STP Oil Treatment | Lloyd Ruby | Retired |
| 16th July | Michigan 200, Michigan International Speedway | STP Oil Treatment | Wally Dallenbach | 2nd |
| 29th July | Pocono 500, Pocono International Raceway | STP Oil Treatment Wynn's |
Wally Dallenbach Lloyd Ruby |
DNF DNF |
| 3rd September | California 500, Ontario Motor Speedway | STP Oil Filter Special Wynn's Special |
Art Pollard Lloyd Ruby |
7th DNF |
| 24th September | Trenton 300, Trenton International Speedway | STP Oil Treatment STP Oil Treatment Wynn's |
Wally Dallenbach Art Pollard Lloyd Ruby |
7th 9th DNF |
| 4th November | Best Western 150, Phoenix International Raceway | Wynn's STP Oil Filter STP Oil Treatment |
Lloyd Ruby Art Pollard Wally Dallenbach |
7th 11th DNF |
1972 USAC CHAMPIONSHIP POSITIONS
9th Sam Sessions 1440 points (Also drove a Coyote)
13th Wally Dallenbach 720 points (Also drove an Eagle)
18th Lloyd Ruby 500 points (Also drove an Atlanta)
20th Art Pollard 460 points (Also drove a Scorpion)
Results courtesy of www.champcarstats.com
The Wally Dallenbach STP T270 at the 1972 Pocono 500.
T270 1973 USAC National Championship Trail Results
| DATE | RACE/VENUE | ENTRANT | DRIVER | RESULT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7th April | Texas 200, Texas World Speedway | STP Oil Filter | Art Pollard | DNF |
| 30th May | International 500 Mile Sweepstakes, Indianapolis Motor Speedway | STP | Graham McRae | Practice only |
The 1972 Pocono 500 saw Lloyd Ruby in the Wynn's sponsored T270.
What was probably the T272 was practiced at the 1973 Indianapolis 500. The car was driven by Graham "Cassius" McRae who can be seen sitting on the pitlane behind the front wheel. Note the modified cockpit surround.