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THE LOLA T385


All pictures copyright Lola Heritage unless otherwise stated.


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The Nimrod Racing announcement.

The T385 was commissioned by Robin Hamilton and Lola built two cars that were to be powered by a 5340cc Aston Martin engine tuned by Tickford and called the "Development Prototype 1229" (DP 1229). The cars were known as Nimrod Aston Martins with the two chassis being NRA/C2 002 and NRA/C2 003, the NRA standing for Nimrod Racing Automobiles. Chassis 01 was an earlier prototype the Nimrod team built and had nothing to do with Lola. The T385 was a conventional design and interestingly it used the windscreen from the T70, the front suspension was a rocker-operated inboard design and the front radiator duct echoed the radiator design on the Aston Martin road cars.

In addition to the two Lola-built cars there were two more that were constructed by the Nimrod team and featured some modifications, largely aerodynamic, inspired by Ray Mallock. Results were adequate without setting the world alight but for 1983 Hamilton took the two Lola-built cars to the US to compete in IMSA GTP racing while Viscount Downe continued in Europe with the two non-Lola models. Results in America were disappointing and at the end of the season the team folded and HU01 was sold to privateer Jim Miller. The Nimrod team returned to Europe but financial difficulties saw them have to shut-up shop.

Year(s) of Construction: 1979-1980

Total Built: 2

Chassis: Aluminium and Dural monocoque with a Fibre glass body.
Suspension (front): Independent, Unequal wishbones with adjustable Koni dampers.
Suspension (rear): Independent, Double wishbone suspension.
Length: 188 in (4,780 mm)
Width: 75 in (1,900 mm)
Height: 39 in (990 mm)
Wheelbase: 108 in (2,740 mm)

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HU01 (NRA/C2 002) at the 1982 Silverstone 6 Hours.

T385 (Lola built) RACE RESULTS 1982


DATE
RACE
DRIVER(S)
CHASSIS
QUALIFYING
RACE
16th May Pace Silverstone 6 Hours Geoff Lees
Bob Evans
Tiff Needell
HU02
(NRA/C2 003)
14th DNF
20th June 24 Heures du Mans, Circuit de la Sarthe, Le Mans Geoff Lees
Tiff Needell
HU02
(NRA/C2 003)
26th DNF
5th September 1000 km. Spa Trophee Diners Club, Spa-Francorchamps Geoff Lees
Tiff Needell
HU02
(NRA/C2 003)
16th DNF

T385 (Lola built) RACE RESULTS 1983


DATE
RACE
DRIVER(S)
CHASSIS
QUALIFYING
RACE
6th February Pepsi Challenge Daytona 24 Hours A.J. Foyt
Darrell Waltrip
Guillermo Maldonado
HU01
(NRA/C2 002)
13th DNF
6th February Pepsi Challenge Daytona 24 Hours Lyn St James
John Graham
Drake Olson
HU02
(NRA/C2 003)
12th DNF
19th March Coco-Cola Classic 12 Hours of Sebring Victor Gonzalez
Drake Olson
HU01
(NRA/C2 002)
13th DNF
19th March Coco-Cola Classic 12 Hours of Sebring Reggie Smith
Lyn St James
Drake Olson
HU02
(NRA/C2 003)
48th 5th
24th April Los Angeles Times/Datsun Grand Prix of Endurance Riverside 6 Hours Drake Olson HU02
(NRA/C2 003)
12th DNF
9th June Lumberman's Mid-Ohio 6 Hours Jack Miller
Mike Brummer
Carlos Ramirez
HU01
(NRA/C2 002)
17th DNF
9th June Lumberman's Mid-Ohio 6 Hours Drake Olson
Robert Overby
HU02
(NRA/C2 003)
10th DNF
27th November Daytona Finale 3 Hours Jack Miller
Carlos Ramirez
HU01
(NRA/C2 002)
24th 8th

T385 (Lola built) RACE RESULTS 1984


DATE
RACE
DRIVER(S)
CHASSIS
QUALIFYING
RACE
5th February 22nd Annual SunBank Daytona 24 Hours Jack Miller
Carlos Ramirez
Vicki Smith
HU01
(NRA/C2 002)
23rd DNF
20th May Charlotte Camel GT 500 Kms - HU01
(NRA/C2 002)
- DNS
27th May Lime Rock Coco-Cola 500 Jack Miller HU01
(NRA/C2 002)
12th 10th
6th October Columbus Ford Dealers 500 Kms Jack Miller HU01
(NRA/C2 002)
30th 15th
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HU01 (NRA/C2 002) posing at Daytona in 1983.

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Out on the Daytona track.

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1983 Daytona 24 Hours, HU01 (NRA/C2 002) was driven by A.J. Foyt, Darrell Waltrip and Guillermo Maldonado.

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James Hunt and Stirling Moss at Goodwood.....

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....for the launch of the Nimrod/T385.

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The T385 was a very handsome car, note the change in the rear wing design from the car's launch.

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April 1984 at the Road Atlanta 500kms, it was driven by Jack Miller and Carlos Ramirez.

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HU02 (NRA/C2 003) at the 1982 Le Mans 24 Hours, driven by Geoff Lees, Tiff Needell and Bob Evans it retired following an accident when the suspension failed with Needell at the wheel.

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On display at Goodwwod.

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The car looks especially neat from the rear.

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Less nosecone the heavy duty front rockers are evident.

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