17/06/09
LOLA STAR AT 2009 LE MANS 24 HOURS
Lola sports cars starred throughout this years 24 Heures Du Mans this weekend with the Lola Aston Martin of Stefan Mucke, Jan Charouz and Tomas Enge taking a brilliant 4th overall and being the first and fastest petrol powered car in the race.
In addition to this excellent performance, Lola also celebrated a fighting 2nd place in the LMP2 class as the Speedy Racing Team Sebah Lola B08/80 of Xavier Pompidou, Jonny Kane and Benjamin Leuenberger took the chequered flag in their Judd powered Lola LMP2 Coupe.
Lola’s success at the toughest motor race in the world was backed up by several other superb displays by Lola entrants. The LMP1 Speedy Racing Team Sebah sports car was on course for 7th place and ran as high as 6th but was cruelly denied this result after a late transmission problem. Andrea Belicchi, Nicolas Prost and Neel Jani were fast and reliable for much of the week at Le Mans proving that the Lola sports car package is the best currently available. The red and silver Speedy Sebah Lola LMP2 crossed the finishing line in the LMP1 class.
As the most represented constructor in the 55-car field, Lola’s 8 LMP models were all running competitively up to the 12 Hour mark. Of the 8 entries, 5 finished the grueling event further endorsing Lola’s highly prized reputation as a fast but also durable proposition.
Since Martin Birrane’s acquisition of Lola in 1997, over 60 Le Mans sportscars have been designed and built at Lola’s headquarters, this more than any other constructor in the world. Since 2000 there have been five LMP2 class victories for Lola customer teams.
All pictures Lola Heritage.
A superb 4th place overall for the 007 Lola Aston Martin.
2nd in LMP2 for the Speedy Racing Team Sebah B08/80.
The 008 Lola Aston Martin ran in the top 6 in the opening hours.
Jonny Kane, Benjamin Leuenberger and Xavier Pompidou on the LMP2 podium.
For over 19 hours the RML Lola Mazda held 4th in LMP2.
The 009 Lola Aston Martin before the start.
The Racing Box drivers wave to their fans.
The racing Box Lola Judd was out of luck in LMP2.
The Speedy Racing Sebah LMP1 Lola Aston Martin made it to the finish in 14th place.
Lola light up the night.
John Hindaugh interviews Martin Birrane for Radio Le Mans.
The KSM Lola Mazda was a non-finisher.
The Le Mans pits at night with digital pitboards.
009 makes a pitstop during the night...
...and is back on the track in the dawn light.
The Speedy Racing Team Sebah LMP2 car at speed.
The 4th placed 007 was the fastest petrol-engined car.
The Speedy Racing Team Sebah LMP2 car in the pits.