THE LOLA T360
All pictures copyright Lola Heritage unless otherwise stated.
The Formula 2 specification T360 of Steve Maxted. (Picture courtesy of Steve Maxted)
The T360 was designed for Formula Atlantic/Formula B racing and followed on from the two previous designs, the T240 and the T242 neither of which had been especially successful, taking no race wins.
The Formula Atlantic/B scene was popular in the mid 1970s and competition was stiff, notably from the March75B, Chevron B29 and, in the UK, the Modus M3 so Lola needed something special to challenge them. The T360 followed the normal Lola design parameters for a customer car: not too complicated, reliable, easy to work on and, most importantly, competitive. The suspension was standard Lola, at the front twin wishbones, outboard springs/dampers with, at the rear, top link, reversed lower wishbone, twin radius rods and outboard spring/dampers, all fitted to a slim monocoque.
As already noted, with so many competitive cars on track, wins were hard fought but the T360 ran well in both Canada where Tom Klauser took second in the 1974 Players (Canadian) Formula Atlantic Series and third in 1975 with Elliot Forbes-Robinson fourth, in the UK Ted Wentz won the 1975 Southern Organs Championship.
As an aside, the amazing story of Southern Organs can be found HERE, as they say "You couldn't make it up!".
For details of the individual chassis histories please visit OldRacingCars HERE.
Year(s) of Construction: 1974-1975
Total Built: 21
Nick May in the Strakers of Wimbledon T360 competing in both the John Player and MCD/Southern Organs Championships.
T360 CHAMPIONSHIP WINS
YEAR |
CHAMPIONSHIP |
WINNER(S) |
NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Southern Organs Formula Atlantic Championship | Ted Wentz | Lola T360-Ford |
| 1978 | Mid-Am Championship Formula B | Ron Clawson | Lola T360-Ford |
T360 SIGNIFICANT RACE WINS
1974
DATE |
VENUE/MEETING |
DRIVER |
NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16th June | Gimli | Tom Klausler | Players (Canadian) Formula Atlantic Series – Round 3 of Championship |
| 27th July | St Johns, Newfoundland | Tom Klausler | Players (Canadian) Formula Atlantic Series – Round 6 of Championship |
| 1st September | Trois-Rivières - Molson Grand Prix | Tom Klausler | Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières - Formula Atlantic (Non-Championship) |
| 22nd September | Waterford Hills | Tom Klausler | SCCA Formula B race |
| 4th October | Watkins Glen | Bill O'Connor | SCCA Formula B Race |
1975
DATE |
VENUE/MEETING |
DRIVER |
NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31st March | Silverstone - BRDC | Nick May | Jaybrand BRDC Formule Libre Race |
| 6th July | St Jovite | Elliot Forbes-Robinson | Players (Canadian) Formula Atlantic Series – Round 4 of Championship |
| 19th July | Silverstone | Ted Wentz | John Player (British) Formula Atlantic Series - Round 10 |
| 20th July | Mosport Park | Elliot Forbes-Robinson | Players (Canadian) Formula Atlantic Series – Round 5 of Championship |
| 3rd August | Silverstone | Ted Wentz | MCD/Southern Organs Formula Atlantic - Round 4 |
1976
DATE |
VENUE/MEETING |
DRIVER |
NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4th April | Brands Hatch | Tony Trimmer | Indylantic Championship - Round 1 |
| 9th May | Brands Hatch | Tony Trimmer | Indylantic Championship - Round 2 |
2006
DATE |
VENUE/MEETING |
DRIVER |
NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28th-30th July | Silverstone - HSCC | Steve Maxted | Derek Bell Trophy - First overall and Winner Class B - Race 1 |
2008
DATE |
VENUE/MEETING |
DRIVER |
NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th-11th May | Silverstone - HSCC | Steve Maxted | Historic F2 - Race 1 |
| 10th-11th May | Silverstone - HSCC | Steve Maxted | Historic F2 - Race 2 |
(Picture courtesy of Steve Maxted)
(Picture courtesy of Steve Maxted)
Bob Marston, Lola's Chief Engineer, reports on the testing of the T360 prototype.