THE LOLA T210
All pictures courtesy of Bill Wooldridge unless otherwise stated.
The T210, in Jo Bonnier's colours, on display at a Racing Car Show. (Lola Heritage)
As 2-litre Sportscars were proving popular in the World Championship for Makes the FIA announced that in 1970 there would be a new European Championship for the cars and Lola, perhaps thinking that the Can-Am market was always likely to be limited, decided the new Championship could be an ideal market for a new sportscar design. Additionally the ready availability of the Cosworth FVC off the shelf was ideal for privateers, even though it only displaced 1790cc it gave a reliable 235 bhp.
Lola's new design would be the T120 and it would become both successful as well as becoming one of their iconic designs that is still very popular in Historic Racing today. It was a simple, straightforward car with an aluminium tub, wishbones/coil springs/dampers at the front and wishbones/coil springs/dampers/twin radius rods at the rear. Steering was rack and pinion and a Hewland FT200 completed the package.
The T210 was immediately competitive winning the Daily Express Silverstone event, a round of the British Sportscar Championship in the hands of Lola's European agent Jo Bonnier. The European Championship proved a very tense affair with Bonnier battling the whole season with Lola's perennial rival Chevron with their B16 design. In the finish Bonnier won four races to take the Drivers' Championship while Chevron, who also won four rounds, beat Lola by a single point to take the Manufacturers Crown.
Year(s) of Construction: 1970
Total Built: 15
The T210 at the Lola Factory.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
ENGINERear, 4-stroke
Cylinders: 4, in line
Bore and Stroke: 3.35 x 3.07 in, 85.05 x 77.9 mm
Engine Capacity: 108.1 cu in, 1,771 cu cm
Compression ratio: 10.5
Max power: 250 bhp at 8,500 rpm; Specific power: 140 bhp/l
Cylinder block: cast iron
Cylinder head: light alloy, flat-bottomed combustion chambers
Crankshaft bearings: 5
Valves: 4 per cylinder, overhead, vertical
Camshafts: 2, overhead
Lubrication: gear pump, dry sump
Lubricating system capacity: 15.8 imp pt. 19 US pt. 9 litres
Carburation: Lucas indirect injection system
Fuel feed: 2 electric pumps
Cooling system: water.
TRANSMISSION
Driving wheels: rear
Clutch: 2 dry plates
Gearbox: mechanical; gears: 5 + reverse; gear lever: side
Final drive: hypoid bevel, limited slip
Tyres 4.80/10.20 x 13 front, 5.90/13.80 x 13 rear.
PERFORMANCE
Max speed: 171 mph, 275 km/h.
BRAKES
Disc, dual circuit.
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
Voltage: 12 V
Ignition distributor: Lucas.
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT
Wheel base: 84.84 in, 2,155 mm
Front track: 51.97 in, 1,320 mm
Rear track: 51.97 in, 1,320 mm
Overall length: 135.83 in, 3,450 mm
Overall width: 65.75 in, 1,670 mm
Dry weight: 1,213 1b, 550 kg
Fuel tank capacity: 19.8 imp gal, 23.8 US gal, 90 litres.
T210 CHAMPIONSHIP WINS
YEAR |
CHAMPIONSHIP |
WINNER(S) |
NOTES |
---|---|---|---|
1970 | European 2-litre Sportscar Championship (Drivers) | Jo Bonnier | Won four of the nine rounds |
1970 | Copa Brasil | Emerson Fittipaldi | Won two of the four rounds |
SIGNIFICANT T210 RACE WINS
1970
DATE |
VENUE/MEETING |
CAR |
DRIVER |
NOTES |
---|---|---|---|---|
26th April | Silverstone - Daily Express GKN International Trophy Meeting | Lola T210 | Jo Bonnier | GKN Sankey Trophy - Round 4 of the RAC British Sportscar Championship - First win for the T210 |
24th May | Salzburgring - Taurenpokal | Lola T210 | Jo Bonnier | First win for Lola in the European 2-litre Championship - Round 3 in the European 2-litre Championship |
31st May | Bremgarten - 1. Internationales ADAC-Flugplatzrennen Bremgarten | Lola T210 | Karl Foitek | |
7th June | Anderstorp | Lola T210 | Jo Bonnier | Round 4 in the European 2-litre Championship |
5th July | Hockenheim - Südwest-Pokal | Lola T210 | Jo Bonnier | Round 5 in the European 2-litre Championship |
19th July | Ulm-Laupheim - IV. Internationales ADAC-Flugplatzrennen | Lola T210 | Karl Foitek | |
15th August | Enna-Pergusa - Coppa Citta di Enna | Lola T210 | Jo Bonnier | Round 7 in the European 2-litre Championship |
23rd August | Jyllandsringen - Danish Grand Prix | Lola T210 | Jo Bonnier | |
31st August | Brands Hatch | Lola T210 | Chris Craft | RAC Lombank Trophy - Round 8 of the RAC British Sportscar Championship |
20th September | Thruxton - BARC | Lola T210 | Chris Craft | Yellow Pages Sports Car Race - Winner 2-litre Class |
20th September | Zandvoort - International Trophy of The Dunes Races | Lola T210 | Max Wilson | Winner P2.0 Class |
18th October | Nürburgring-Südschleife - 3. Internationales AvD SCM-Rundstrecken-Rennen Aachen (Rennen CanAm Rennwagen, Sportwagen u. Prototypes) | Lola T210 | Jo Bonnier | Winner (aggregate of two heats) - SRP2.0 Class |
18th October | Nürburgring-Südschleife - 3. Internationales AvD SCM-Rundstrecken-Rennen Aachen (Rennen CanAm Rennwagen, Sportwagen u. Prototypes) | Lola T210 | Jo Bonnier | Winner Heat 1 - SRP2.0 Class |
18th October | Nürburgring-Südschleife - 3. Internationales AvD SCM-Rundstrecken-Rennen Aachen (Rennen CanAm Rennwagen, Sportwagen u. Prototypes) | Lola T210 | Jo Bonnier | Winner Heat 2 - SRP2.0 Class |
1st November | Paul Ricard | Lola T210 | Daniel Rouveyran | Sports Car Race |
8th November | Casablanca - Grand Prix de Casablanca | Lola T210 | Claude Swietlik | Group 4/5/6 |
22nd December | Interlagos | Lola T210 | Emerson Fittipaldi | Round 3 of the Copa Brasil |
27th December | Sao Paulo | Lola T210 | Emerson Fittipaldi | Round 4 of the Copa Brasil |
These pictures were taken at the old Slough factory.
1971
DATE |
VENUE/MEETING |
CAR |
DRIVER |
NOTES |
---|---|---|---|---|
3rd January | Taruma | Lola T210 | Emerson Fittipaldi | 100 Mile |
12th April | Nogaro - Coupes de Pâques (International Sportscar Race) | Lola T210 | Claude Swietlik | Round of the French Sportscar Championship |
25th April | Sembach - Int. AvD/ISCC-Flugplatzrennen Sembach | Lola T210 | Karl Foitek | First overall and winner P2.0 Class |
16th May | Cadwell Park - BRSCC (Northern Centre) | Lola T210 | Dave Farnell | GTs, Formule Libre, Formula Ford - Race 1 - First Overall and Class Winner |
16th May | Cadwell Park - BRSCC (Northern Centre) | Lola T210 | Dave Farnell | GTs, Formule Libre, Formula Ford - Race 2 - Class Winner |
16th May | Cadwell Park - BRSCC (Northern Centre) | Lola T210 | Dave Farnell | Formule Libre - Class Winner |
23rd May | Bremgarten - 2. Int. Markgräfler ADAC-Flugplatzrennen | Lola T210 | Karl Foitek | First overall and winner P2.0 Class |
29th May | Rufforth - BRSCC (Northern Centre) | Lola T210 | Dave Farnell | Northern Single-seater Championship & Yorkshire Evening Post Special GT Championship - First Overall and Class Winner |
29th May | Rufforth - BRSCC (Northern Centre) | Lola T210 | Dave Farnell | Formule Libre - Class Winner |
19th September | Montlhéry - Coupes Fédérales de Paris (International Sportscar Race) | Lola T210 | Claude Swietlik | Round of the French Sportscar Championship |
3rd October | Paul Ricard | Lola T210 | Claude Swietlik | Round of the French Sportscar Championship |
1972
DATE |
VENUE/MEETING |
CAR |
DRIVER |
NOTES |
---|---|---|---|---|
9th April | Paul Ricard - Trophée Paul Ricard | Lola T210 | Gérard Larrousse | Round 1 of the European 2-litre Championship |
2008
DATE |
VENUE/MEETING |
CAR |
DRIVER |
NOTES |
---|---|---|---|---|
19th-20th April | Donington - Masters/HGPCA | Lola T210 | Charlie Kemp | World Sports Car Masters - Winner of Class S - Race 2 |
2009
DATE |
VENUE/MEETING |
CAR |
DRIVER |
NOTES |
---|---|---|---|---|
9th-10th May | Donington Park National - Donington Masters Classic | Lola T210 | Charlie Kemp | World Sports Car Masters - Winner of Marko Class - Race 1 |
9th-10th May | Donington Park National - Donington Masters Classic | Lola T210 | Charlie Kemp | World Sports Car Masters - Winner of Marko Class - Race 2 |
24th-26th July | Silverstone - HSCC Classic | Lola T210 | Chris Fox/Charlie Kemp | World Sports Car Masters – Winner of the "Marko" Class |
26th-27th September | Spa Francorchamps - 6 Hours | Lola T210 | Chris Fox/Charlie Kemp | World Sportscar Masters - First in the "Marko" class |
2010
DATE |
VENUE/MEETING |
CAR |
DRIVER |
NOTES |
---|---|---|---|---|
4th April | Silverstone - Superleague Festival | Lola T210 | Chris Fox/Mark Hales | World Sports Car Masters – Winner Class M |
30th-31st May | Brands Hatch - Masters Festival | Lola T210 | Bob Houghton | World Sportscar Masters - Race 1 - Winner Class M |
30th-31st May | Brands Hatch - Masters Festival | Lola T210 | Bob Houghton | World Sportscar Masters - Race 2 - Winner Class M |
11th September | Silverstone - 1000Kms | Lola T210 | Charlie Kemp/Chris Fox | Classic Endurance Racing - First Overall and Winner Class P1 |
2011
DATE |
VENUE/MEETING |
CAR |
DRIVER |
NOTES |
---|---|---|---|---|
15th May | Silverstone International Trophy | Lola T210 | Charlie Kemp | Martini Trophy for 2-litre Grp 6 Sportscars - Race 2 - Winner Class F |
2ndJuly | Brands Hatch - Superprix | Lola T210 | Charlie Kemp | Martini Trophy for 2-litre Grp 6 Sportscars - Race 1 - Winner Class B |
28thAugust | Oulton Park - Gold Cup | Lola T210 | Charlie Kemp | Martini Trophy for 2-litre Grp 6 Sportscars - Race 1 - Winner Class B |
28thAugust | Oulton Park - Gold Cup | Lola T210 | Charlie Kemp | Martini Trophy for 2-litre Grp 6 Sportscars - Race 2 - Winner Class B |
2012
DATE |
VENUE/MEETING |
CAR |
DRIVER |
NOTES |
---|---|---|---|---|
14th October | Donington Park - Masters Racing Club | Lola T210 | Kemp/Sykes | FIA Masters Historic Sports Cars - First Overall and Winner Marko Class |
2013
DATE |
VENUE/MEETING |
CAR |
DRIVER |
NOTES |
---|---|---|---|---|
13th-14th April | Barcelona - Catalan Classic | Lola T210 | David & James Gathercole | FIA Masters Historic Sports Cars - Winner Marko Class |
27th May | Brands Hatch - Masters Festival | Lola T210 | Allen/Gathercole | FIA Masters Historic Sports Cars - Winner Marko Class |
2014
DATE |
VENUE/MEETING |
CAR |
DRIVER |
NOTES |
---|---|---|---|---|
3rd May | Donington - Historic Festival | Lola T210 | David Gathercole | HSCC Martini Trophy Race 1- First overall and Winner Class G |
17th May | Silverstone - International Trophy | Lola T210 | David Gathercole | HSCC Martini Trophy Race 1- Winner Class G |
18th May | Silverstone - International Trophy | Lola T210 | David Gathercole | HSCC Martini Trophy Race 2- Winner Class G |
24th August | Oulton Park - Gold Cup | Lola T210 | Robert Oldershaw | HSCC Martini Trophy Race 1 - First Overall and Winner Class B |
2015
DATE |
VENUE/MEETING |
CAR |
DRIVER |
NOTES |
---|---|---|---|---|
8th August | Nüburgring Old Timer Grand Prix | Lola T210 | Frank Jacob | FIA Masters Historic Sports Car Championship - Race 1 - Winner Class INV |
9th August | Nüburgring Old Timer Grand Prix | Lola T210 | Frank Jacob | FIA Masters Historic Sports Car Championship - Race 2 - Winner Class INV |
28th September | Spa 6 Hours | Lola T210 | Piercey/Stretton | FIA Masters Historic Sports Car Championship - Winner Class MAR |
2016
DATE |
VENUE/MEETING |
CAR |
DRIVER |
NOTES |
---|---|---|---|---|
29th May | Brands Hatch Masters Historic Festival | Lola T210 | Piercy/Stretton | FIA Masters Historic Sports Car Championship - First overall and Winner Class ROD |
The Cosworth FVC engine.
Jo Bonnier in practice for the Daily Express GKN International Trophy Meeting at Silverstone. (Lola Heritage)
Jo Bonnier obviously approves of the T210. (Lola Heritage)
Emerson Fittipaldi won the 1970 Copa Brasil in a T210.