20/01/06 - RML SWITCH ENGINES FOR THEIR 2006 CAMPAIGN
Having run AER turbo engines in 2004, then switched to Judd normally aspirated V8s in 2005, RML will be returning to AER turbo power this year – with the team’s Le Mans winning MG Lola EX264.

The team’s chassis is currently being modified by RML to accept the new installation, which will undergo shakedown tests in early March prior to taking part in the Paul Ricard Le Mans Series test. The race debut for the revised car is scheduled for Istanbul on April 9.“We have been delighted with the reliability and service we have received from Judd during last season,” explains Mike Newton, “but we ran with AER engines in the EX257 during late 2003 and 2004 and as I still own that chassis, it made sense to us to work with AER again. Whilst it is difficult to contrast the relative performance, our experience with the turbo engine showed us that it is more economical and the cars which used it last season confirmed that fact.”The RML entry was narrowly pipped to the LMP2 title in the 2005 LMES by the AER-powered Chamberlain-Synergy Lola B05/40, but RML took the prize at Le Mans last June.The RML car will again be entered as an MG-Lola EX264, in the same livery as in 2005, with backing from NetVu Connected, Dedicated Micros, RemGuard Visual Management, FlightVu, D-Tec and Altera.

Le Mans winners Mike Newton, Tommy Erdos and Warren Hughes are off to Daytona next though, to race in the Rolex 24 in the #51 Cheever Racing Crawford Lexus, with Stefan Johansson.

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The MG-Lola EX264 at the 2005 Le Mans 24 Hours.
(Picture João Abreu)
The MG-Lola EX264 on its way to victory in the LMP2 class.
(Picture João Abreu)