THE LOLA T594C
All pictures copyright Lola Heritage unless otherwise stated.
The T594C at the Lola factory.
The T594C was originally intended for SCCA (Sports Car Club of America) C Sports racing where a variety of engine capacities were allowed with tuning restrictions to keep power outputs similar, the maximum size was 1615cc. However, as it turned out, both cars built ended up in the UK competing in the new Thundersports series which catered for prototype sportscars and also featured cars that were eligible for Can-Am and Group C2 racing as well as Clubmens cars! With it's adaptability to different engine types and wings the T594C was a good fit in Thundersports.
For more details on the chassis see the T594 entry. The main changes to the design were a stiffened monocoque, F3 wheels sized and tyres, 5-speed Hewland Mk9, ventilated discs and 4-piston calipers. Additionally a rear wing and extended nose splitter were fitted to the bodywork and dry break fuel couplings were available for endurance races.
Of the two cars the Blanchet/Dowsett/Juggins car (HU83C works loaned) featured below was fitted with a 1.6 litre VW engine whist the Taylor/Lovett car (HU81C entered by Tom Walkinshaw Racing) had a 2.6 litre rotary Mazda engine. Despite competing against such cars as a 5.7 litre CanAm Lola T530 both cars acquitted themselves well with the Mazda car taking three wins in 1984 and the VW car taking a second and three thirds in 1983/84. It is not clear which chassis the Baird/Lyall victory went to.
Year(s) of Construction: 1983
Total Built: 2
The Mike Blanchet/Phil Dowsett T594C-VW in 1983
T594C SIGNIFICANT RACE WINS
1984
DATE |
VENUE/MEETING |
DRIVER |
NOTES |
---|---|---|---|
20th April | Oulton Park | Ian Taylor/Pete Lovett | Thundersports - Round 1 |
17th June | Donington Park | Mike Blanchet/ Bob Juggins |
Thundersports - Round 4 - Winner Up To 2000cc Class |
22nd July | Brands Hatch | Ian Taylor/Pete Lovett | Thundersports - Round 6 |
27th August | Brands Hatch | Ian Taylor/Pete Lovett | Thundersports - Round 8 |
1989
DATE |
VENUE/MEETING |
DRIVER |
NOTES |
---|---|---|---|
17th September | Oulton Park | Nick Baird/Alistair Lyall | Thundersports - Round 6 |
Mike, Phil and their team.
1984, the car is now with new sponsors and Bob Juggins is sharing the driving with Mike Blanchet.
(Picture courtesy of Alain-Gérard Duthé)
(Picture courtesy of Alain-Gérard Duthé)
(Picture courtesy of Alain-Gérard Duthé)
(Picture courtesy of Alain-Gérard Duthé)
(Picture courtesy of Alain-Gérard Duthé)
(Picture courtesy of Alain-Gérard Duthé)
(Picture courtesy of Alain-Gérard Duthé)