Although the material on this page (photographs and/or Downloads) is offered freely for download, all items remain the copyright of Lola Heritage or Lola Cars (except where indicated) and may not be further distributed for profit or personal gain. If you wish to use any of these items for public display (e.g. web site, books or magazines etc.) please contact Lola Heritage first.
Belgian Teddy Pilette won the Shellsport F5000 Championship in his T400.
Year(s) of Construction: 1975
Total Built: 14
Progressive springs.
Pilette at a wet Brands Hatch.
Entered by Racing Team VDS, Pilette won four of the sixteen rounds.
Michael Lyons in his T400 at..... (Picture courtest of Peter Collins)
....a 2009 Silverstone HSCC event. (Picture courtest of Peter Collins)
A T400 competing at the 2009 Le GP de l'ASC d'Or. (Picture courtesy of GT Dreams)
Michael Lyons at Hampton Downs in the 2014-2015 Tasman Rervival Series. (Fast Company/Alex Mitchell)
Andrew Higgins in the 2015/2016 Tasman Revival. (Fast Company/Alex Mitchell)
Mark Dwyer's very successful T400 at a Thruxton HSCC event. (Picture courtesy of Peter Collins)
The 2015/2016 Tasman Series, here Shayne Windelburn's T400 leads the similar car of Glenn Richards. (Fast Company/Lyall Chinnery)
(classicrevivalco.nz)
(my105.com)
THE LOLA T400
All pictures copyright Lola Heritage unless otherwise stated.
Belgian Teddy Pilette won the Shellsport F5000 Championship in his T400.
The 1974 T332 had dominated F5000 taking all the major championships so, for 1975, Lola knew they would have to come up with something special especially as the T332 was still more than capable of winning.
When Lola revealed their new contender for 1975, the T400, it certainly caught the eye as it looked very different from all of the T300 series with it's low, wide aggressive styling. At this time there was a new suspension type called "rising rate" and it was de rigueur that your new model included it if you wanted to be considered to be a cutting edge manufacturer so it was no surprise to see it as part of the T400 package.
The principle behind rising rate is that the spring ratio varies dependant on how much the suspension deflects, when the car travels over a small bump the suspension is "soft" allowing the car to ride the uneven surface but if the deflection is bigger the suspension becomes "hard" to prevent the car grounding and causing damage or unsettling the handling. There are several ways of achieving this such as having a second coil spring that only operates on large deflections or, more commonly, using progressive springs i.e. having a few closely wound coils at one end and then wider, equally spaced coils at the other end (see diagram below).
When the T400 began testing the rising rate caused a lot of headaches for the teams as they struggled to learn how the system worked and even a team as experienced as Haas Racing decided to stick with the T332 design, however others, notably the VDS team, persevered and once mastered the T400 proved the faster car.
For details of the individual chassis histories please visit OldRacingCars HERE.
Year(s) of Construction: 1975
Total Built: 14
Progressive springs.
Pilette at a wet Brands Hatch.
T400 CHAMPIONSHIP WINS
YEAR |
CHAMPIONSHIP |
WINNER(S) |
NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | SCCA/USAC F5000 Championship | Brian Redman | Lola T332-Chevrolet & Lola T400-Chevrolet |
| 1974 | Shellsport F5000 Championship | Teddy Pilette | Lola T400-Chevrolet |
| 1976 | Australian Gold Star | John Leffler | Lola T400-Chevrolet |
| 2013/14 | MSC New Zealand F5000 Tasman Revival Series | Andrew Higgins | Lola T400-Chevrolet |
Entered by Racing Team VDS, Pilette won four of the sixteen rounds.
T400 SIGNIFICANT RACE WINS
1975
DATE |
VENUE/MEETING |
DRIVER |
NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12th April | Silverstone - International Trophy Meeting | Richard Scott | Shellsport F5000 Championship - Round 4 |
| 27th April | Zolder | Peter Gethin | Shellsport F5000 Championship - Round 5 - Winner Heat 1 |
| 27th April | Zolder | Peter Gethin | Shellsport F5000 Championship - Round 5 - Winner Heat 2 and on aggregate of the two Heats |
| 19th May | Zandvoort | Peter Gethin | Shellsport F5000 Championship - Round 6 |
| 10th August | Mallory Park | Teddy Pilette | Shellsport F5000 Championship - Round 9 |
| 17th August | Thruxton | Teddy Pilette | Shellsport F5000 Championship - Round 10 |
| 31st August | Surfers Paradise – Australian Grand Prix | Max Stewart | Australian Gold Star – Round 1 |
| 5th October | Snetterton | Teddy Pilette | Shellsport F5000 Championship - Round 14 |
| 12th October | Mallory Park | Teddy Pilette | Shellsport F5000 Championship - Round 14 |
| 19th October | Brands Hatch | Peter Gethin | Shellsport F5000 Championship - Round 14 |
| 28th November | Phillip Island – Phillip Island Classic Cup | Kevin Bartlett | Australian Gold Star – Round 5 |
| 6th December | Levin - National meeting | Max Stewart | Aust/NZ Test Match |
| 14th December | Manfeild - National meeting | Max Stewart | Aust/NZ Test Match |
1976
DATE |
VENUE/MEETING |
DRIVER |
NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11th January | Manfeild - International meeting | Max Stewart | F5000 international |
| 15th August | Brands Hatch | Keith Holland | MCD Open Single Seater Championship Race |
| 19th September | Oran Park | Max Stewart | Australian Gold Star – Round 2 |
| 19th September | Brands Hatch | Keith Holland | MCD Open Single Seater Championship Race |
| 24th October | Brands Hatch | Keith Holland | Shellsport G8 Championship - Round 12 |
1977
DATE |
VENUE/MEETING |
DRIVER |
NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27th February | Sandown Park – Sandown Park Cup | Max Stewart | Rothmans International Series – Round 3 |
Michael Lyons in his T400 at..... (Picture courtest of Peter Collins)
2007
DATE |
VENUE/MEETING |
DRIVER |
NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12th May | Silverstone - HSCC | JMark Dwyer | Derek Bell Trophy - First overall and Winner Class A2 |
| 26th August | Oulton Park - HSCC Gold Cup | Mark Dwyer | Derek Bell Trophy - First overall and Winner of Class B2 - Race 1 |
| 26th August | Oulton Park - HSCC Gold Cup | Mark Dwyer | Derek Bell Trophy - First overall and Winner of Class B2 - Race 2 |
| 20th October | Silverstone - HSCC | Mark Dwyer | Derek Bell Trophy - Winner of Class B2 |
2008
DATE |
VENUE/MEETING |
DRIVER |
NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30th March | Donington - HSCC | Mark Dwyer | Derek Bell Trophy - Winner of Class B2 |
| 31st May-1st June | Snetterton - HSCC | Michael Lyons | Derek Bell Trophy - Race 1 |
| 31st May-1st June | Infineon Raceway | Hamish Somerville | 2008 USA Formula 5000 40th Anniversary Championship - Round 1 - First overall and Winner of Class B |
| 28th-29th June | Brands Hatch - HSCC | Mark Dwyer | Derek Bell Trophy - Winner Class A - Race 1 |
| 23rd-25th October | Oulton Park - HSCC | Michael Lyons | Derek Bell Trophy - Winner Class B2 - Race 1 |
| 18th October | Silverstone - HSCC | Michael Lyons | Derek Bell Trophy - Winner of Class B2 |
2009
DATE |
VENUE/MEETING |
DRIVER |
NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31st January-1st February | Taupo Motorsport Park - Historic Racing Club Tasman Revival meeting | Michael Lyons | F5000 Tasman Cup revival series - Round 5 - Race 2 |
| 27th-29th March | Albert Park, Melbourne - Formula 1 ING Australian Grand Prix | Michael Lyons | F5000 Tasman Cup revival series - Round 6 - Race 1 |
| 27th-29th March | Albert Park, Melbourne - Formula 1 ING Australian Grand Prix | Mark Dwyer | F5000 Tasman Cup revival series - Round 6 - Race 2 |
| 17th October | Silverstone - HSCC | Michael Lyons | HSCC Lloyds TSB Historic F5000 and F2 Championship - First overall and Winner of Class F |
....a 2009 Silverstone HSCC event. (Picture courtest of Peter Collins)
2010
DATE |
VENUE/MEETING |
DRIVER |
NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5th-6th June | Snetterton - Autosport 3 Hours | Mark Dwyer | Derek Bell Trophy - First Overall and Winner Class F |
| 3rd-4th July | Brands Hatch - HSCC Super Prix | Mark Dwyer | Derek Bell Trophy - Race 1 - Winner Class F |
| 9th October | Silverstone - HSCC Finals Meeting | Mark Dwyer | Derek Bell Trophy - First Overall and Winner Class F |
2011
DATE |
VENUE/MEETING |
DRIVER |
NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6th February | Ruapuna Park Christchurch, New Zealand | Michael Lyons | MSC New Zealand F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series -Round 3 - Winner Race 2 |
| 6th February | Ruapuna Park Christchurch, New Zealand | Michael Lyons | MSC New Zealand F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series -Round 3 - Winner Race 3 |
| 27th March | Albert Park Melbourne, Australia | Mark Dwyer | MSC New Zealand F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series - Round 6 - Winner Race 1 |
| 27th March | Albert Park Melbourne, Australia | Mark Dwyer | MSC New Zealand F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series - Round 6 - Winner Race 2 |
| 2nd July | Brands Hatch - Superprix | Michael Lyons | Derek Bell Trophy - Race 1 - First Overall and Winner Class F |
| 3rd July | Brands Hatch - Superprix | Michael Lyons | Derek Bell Trophy - Race 2 - First Overall and Winner Class F |
| 7th August | Croft - Nostalgia Weekend | Michael Lyons | Derek Bell Trophy - Race 1 - First Overall and Winner Class F |
| 7th August | Croft - Nostalgia Weekend | Michael Lyons | Derek Bell Trophy - Race 2 - First Overall and Winner Class F |
| 29th August | Oulton Park - Gold Cup | Michael Lyons | Derek Bell Trophy - Race 2 - Winner Class F |
| 22nd October | Silverstone - Finals | Michael Lyons | Derek Bell Trophy - First Overall and Winner Class F |
2012
DATE |
VENUE/MEETING |
DRIVER |
NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21st January | Hampton Downs Auckland, New Zealand | Michael Lyons | MSC New Zealand F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series - Round 3 - Winner Race 1 |
| 21st January | Hampton Downs Auckland, New Zealand | Michael Lyons | MSC New Zealand F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series - Round 3 - Winner Race 2 |
| 22nd January | Hampton Downs Auckland, New Zealand | Michael Lyons | MSC New Zealand F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series - Round 3 - Winner Race 3 |
| 22nd January | Hampton Downs Auckland, New Zealand | Michael Lyons | MSC New Zealand F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series - Round 3 - Winner Race 4 |
| 28th January | Hampton Downs Auckland, New Zealand | Michael Lyons | MSC New Zealand F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series - Round 4 - Winner Race 1 |
| 29th January | Hampton Downs Auckland, New Zealand | Michael Lyons | MSC New Zealand F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series - Round 4 - Winner Race 2 |
| 29th January | Hampton Downs Auckland, New Zealand | Michael Lyons | MSC New Zealand F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series - Round 4 - Winner Race 3 |
| 4th February | Ruapuna Park, Christchurch, New Zealand | Michael Lyons | MSC New Zealand F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series - Round 5 - Winner Race 1 |
| 20th May | Silverstone - International | Michael Lyons | Derek Bell Trophy - Race 1 - First Overall and Winner Class F |
| 20th May | Silverstone - International | Michael Lyons | Derek Bell Trophy - Race 2 - First Overall and Winner Class F |
| 30th June | Brands Hatch - Superprix | Mark Dwyer | Derek Bell Trophy - Race 1 - Winner Class F |
| 1st July | Brands Hatch - Superprix | Mark Dwyer | Derek Bell Trophy - Race 1 - Winner Class F |
| 22nd July | Silverstone - Classic | Michael Lyons | The Peter Gethin Menorial Trophy for Historic F2 and F5000 - First Overall and Winner Class F |
A T400 competing at the 2009 Le GP de l'ASC d'Or. (Picture courtesy of GT Dreams)
2013
DATE |
VENUE/MEETING |
DRIVER |
NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16th February | Teretonga Park, Invercargill, New Zealand | Andrew Higgins | MSC New Zealand F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series - Round 7 - Winner Race 1 |
| 19th May | Silverstone | Michael Lyons | Derek Bell Trophy - Race 2 - First overall and Winner Class F |
2014
DATE |
VENUE/MEETING |
DRIVER |
NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17th-19th January | Hampton Downs - NZFMR Ferrari Festival | Michael Lyons | 2013/14 MSC New Zealand F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series - Rnd 2 - Winner Race 1 |
| 17th-19th January | Hampton Downs - NZFMR Ferrari Festival | Michael Lyons | 2013/14 MSC New Zealand F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series - Rnd 2 - Winner Race 2 |
| 17th-19th January | Hampton Downs - NZFMR Ferrari Festival | Michael Lyons | 2013/14 MSC New Zealand F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series - Rnd 2 - Winner Race 3 |
| 24th-26th January | Hampton Downs - NZFMR Ferrari Festival II | Michael Lyons | 2013/14 MSC New Zealand F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series - Rnd 3 - Winner Race 1 |
| 24th-26th January | Hampton Downs - NZFMR Ferrari Festival II | Michael Lyons | 2013/14 MSC New Zealand F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series - Rnd 3 - Winner Race 2 |
| 31st January-2nd February | Mike Pero Motorsport Park (Ruapuna) - Skope Classic meeting | Michael Lyons | 2013/14 MSC New Zealand F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series - Rnd 3 - Winner Race 1 |
| 31st January-2nd February | Mike Pero Motorsport Park (Ruapuna) - Skope Classic meeting | Michael Lyons | 2013/14 MSC New Zealand F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series - Rnd 3 - Winner Race 2 |
| 31st January-2nd February | Mike Pero Motorsport Park (Ruapuna) - Skope Classic meeting | Michael Lyons | 2013/14 MSC New Zealand F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series - Rnd 3 - Winner Race 3 |
Michael Lyons at Hampton Downs in the 2014-2015 Tasman Rervival Series. (Fast Company/Alex Mitchell)
Andrew Higgins in the 2015/2016 Tasman Revival. (Fast Company/Alex Mitchell)
Mark Dwyer's very successful T400 at a Thruxton HSCC event. (Picture courtesy of Peter Collins)
The 2015/2016 Tasman Series, here Shayne Windelburn's T400 leads the similar car of Glenn Richards. (Fast Company/Lyall Chinnery)
(classicrevivalco.nz)
(my105.com)