147 replies to this topic

[Dan333SP]

Interesting pivot for them, going from a long history as a chassis builder to an FE powertrain supplier. I wonder if they have any longer term plans in the works to actually manufacture a new car. 

[Ben1445]

I wonder if they have any longer term plans in the works to actually manufacture a new car.

I think there are. 
 
These reported FE plans generally track with the larger plan to steadily rebuild capability as that 'leading engineering and design force' with a 'focus on modern motorsport' that Bechtolsheimer wants it to be. A high-tech/future powertrain engineering spin out along the lines of WAE has always been cited as part of the plan, and investments in such tech areas has been the backbone of Bechtolsheimer's expertise. Almost from the outset the relaunch split the business into three areas - Lola Cars, Lola Performance Technologies and Lola Heritage. 
 
Some of the reports on this story cite a potential partnership with Yamaha for this project, who would have existing capacity to design and manufacture motors and power electronics. The rest of the FE manufacturer remit includes things like gearbox casings, rear suspension, software, systems integration and trackside support. These latter points are things that are both relevant and achievable for both the Lola Cars side and Lola Performance Technologies side when (re)starting from a fairly lean position.
 
I'd consider a move like this to be a necessary stepping stone towards much loftier ambitions.

Edited by Ben1445, 26 March 2024 - 15:42.

[Ben1445]

Interesting piece of Lola history though with regards to powertrain ambition - the ill-fated MasterCard Lola F1 project was supposed to make use of a bespoke Lola V10 from 1998, but after the project was pushed to start in 1997 instead and the infamous results that followed... this never came to fruition. 

At the end of the year, Lola announced their partnership with MasterCard, who’d become the team’s title sponsor.

Broadley added that the team intended to enter Formula One in 1998. This would give them enough time to prepare and produce a competitive car and infrastructure.

As well as creating their own car, Lola were planning to build their own V10 engine, courtesy of Al Melling.

The designers had the idea of having the car shaped around the engine, which would improve its aerodynamic flow at the rear end.

 

( http://essaar.co.uk/...stercard-lola/)

[Ben1445]

An announcement is now teased for tomorrow, 28th March https://x.com/lolara...LAZ50Btq_iWBfgQ

 

[William Hunt]

I would prefer them to build chassis / cars again instead of engines since that's their heritage but great to see than name back in any case. Currently the Mahindra power train is not performing well so maybe Abt Cupra is interested in the Lola powertrain.

[Ben1445]

Now Confirmed 
 
https://lola-cars.co...motorsport.html
 

 
From the website:  

OUR VISION
Motorsport as a platform for innovation, testing and promotion of sustainable solutions.

Lola plans to return to the forefront of modern motorsport as a leader in design and engineering, focused on alternative powertrains and sustainable materials. We are actively working on projects across our three pillars of focus, electrification, hydrogen and sustainable fuels & materials.

[FirstnameLastname]

Mastercard Sponsor please!

[Disgrace]

Mastercard Sponsor please!

 

Or IKEA.

[Ben1445]

[HistoryFan]

Lola-Yamaha in IndyCar would be much more fascinating, but that news is very good, I think!

[ARTGP]

 Lola-Yamaha in WEC hypercar would also be interesting with the V10 from the Lexus LFA. 

Edited by ARTGP, 28 March 2024 - 17:39.

[Spillage]

Marcus Ericsson is gonna love it. The Swedemobile.

[Gerald Swan]

I think I can safely say that you ain't seen nothing yet, there are a lot  of exciting things in store for both Lola Cars and Lola owners so stay tuned....OK, that's it I've exhausted my Daily Cliché Quota .

Edited by Gerald Swan, 29 March 2024 - 14:23.

[PayasYouRace]

Was just wondering if Lola could have tried doing a Ginetta and built affordable sports cars and GTs for track use, maybe with one make series.

[Ben1445]

Was looking back over the Lola-Drayson B12/69EV, a project which I distinctly remember to have helped spark my interest in EV racing (pun not intended). 
 

Think it's an interesting nugget of Lola history, both in a what-could-have-been sort of way and in light of recent news. Like this Racecar-Engineering article from 2011: 

 

Lola Cars will have responsibility for developing the racing car chassis and Drayson Racing will have responsibility for developing the electric drivetrain.

The ultimate goal of the Lola-Drayson partnership is to deliver an all-electric race car for the planned 2013 FIA electric car championship.

 

That planned championship ultimately ended up becoming the Formula E we know today. At that time it wasn't entirely certain what this championship would look like - reports from when the Lola-Drayson car was revealed  (January 2012) say that the plan was more along the lines of having four 15-minute heats with unrestricted chassis/aero/powertrains, albeit potentially BoP'd. Would have been quite interesting to see what a Lola-Drayson partnership could have come up with in that alternate universe... 

 

Unfortunately, any potential that this collaboration had went unrealised. As we know, Lola would the rocks financially in autumn of 2012, and the chassis supply for FE's first season was awarded to Dallara by May 2013 and hopes of open chassis competition faded. Drayson continued to work towards having their own FE team, signing up as early as January 2013. The spot reserved for them was ultimately taken over by Trulli GP in the summer of 2014, with Drayson remaining as technical partners and sponsors with their logos appearing on the car. For their second season, Trulli eventually ended up partnering with Motomatica to develop their powertrain, only to withdraw just ahead of the season opener after serious issues testing and homologating their new powertrain. And that was the end of that for them. 

 

Still, it remains part of Lola's history was that one of their chassis was used in some early pioneering work for EV racing just as plans were being laid for Formula E. Which is perhaps a nice little tie-in to this Lola revival plan starting with entering FE as a powertrain supplier. 

 

Edited by Ben1445, 29 March 2024 - 17:00.

[Ben1445]

Was just wondering if Lola could have tried doing a Ginetta and built affordable sports cars and GTs for track use, maybe with one make series.

As part of their recent plans or back the day? 

[PayasYouRace]

As part of their recent plans or back the day?

I was thinking around the time they lost of a lot of the single seater business 15-20 years ago.

[Ben1445]

I was thinking around the time they lost of a lot of the single seater business 15-20 years ago.

Quick search and it seems Lola were working with Caterham on the SP/300R LMP-style track day car around the time of their bankruptcy. Was supposed to be the basis for of a one-make, arrive-and-drive style series from 2012.

[Ben1445]

Comment here from DailySportsCar

Lola Confirm Formula E, But There’s More To Come
https://www.dailyspo...re-to-come.html
 

Lola’s owner Till Bechtolsheimer (pictured top) has a background in green and sustainable tech and has long made it clear that he sees the future of Lola as a standard bearer for technology in those areas in motorsport and beyond.

Formula E, currently hungry for new and head-turning names, was ripe as the laboratory for those ambitions and for the brand to re-establish itself as a hub for technological excellence.

But have no doubt that the vision goes further – much, much further!

Whilst there will inevitably be those who will be sorry that endurance racing isn’t part of the plan just yet, the Formula E programme is part of a bigger picture for the re-emergent outfit.

[jimjimjeroo]

Please no Mastercard sponsorship

[Stephane]

It's so sad to see so many people associate Lola with MasterCard. Such a little part of the story

[BobbyRicky]

Lola-Yamaha in WEC hypercar would also be interesting with the V10 from the Lexus LFA.

I dont think the WEC would be interested in another Isotta-Frankzucchini or Kolles/Wonderwall-type team.

[Ben1445]

For any Le Mans/WEC/Hypercar plans, there’s a little bit here in Racecar Engineering: https://www.racecar-...racing-revival/

“Formula E marks the first stage in Lola’s resurrection. The company is also looking towards hydrogen and sustainable fuels, including a 24 Hours of Le Mans programme to cover the former. Le Mans organiser the ACO is planning to introduce a hydrogen class in 2027 and Lola wants to be there when ready. Its preference is to develop a hydrogen fuel cell solution, but is open to hydrogen internal combustion if the rules move in that direction. Currently, both options are allowed.”

[Gerald Swan]

I was thinking around the time they lost of a lot of the single seater business 15-20 years ago.

I think the real problem was losing the CART contract to supply the spec car. I was told that CART were insisting that the new design had to be built in the US, Lola offered to open a facility in the States to build their new car but CART said no. I was also told that Lola felt the fix was in and CART wanted an out and out American company.

 

I have also seen some of the costings for the CART designs and the markup to Haas Automotive as Lola's North American agent and, to my unprofessional eye, it looked a very profitable venture for both parties. In 1996 there was a falling out between Lola and Haas with Haas taking Lola to Court in July. From then on Haas was no longer Lola's agent and Lola Inc, dealt with the North American orders for the T97/00 and the T97/20 (Indy Lights spec car). After this Lola dealt directly with the CART teams. I have no evidence but I so wonder if this was part of the reason that Lola eventually lost the CART contract.

 

All this, taken in conjunction with Dallara seemingly taking over most of the other spec car formulae, meant that Lola were only left with the Sports Car market which was always going be a relatively small. This meant Lola was left with a big modern factory and a lot of staff with not too many orders so their collapse had a sad inevitability about it.

 

Having been fortunate enough to have had several long and very interesting talks with the new Lola Chairman Till Bechtolsheimer it doesn't take long to realise he is totally committed to bring Lola back to life and his passion for green and sustainable technologies means he wants Lola to be at the forefront of them. I should also say he is very keen to reach out to Lola owners and ensure they are aware of his respect for Lola's history and his determination to see it is not forgotten or ignored.

 

Having worked for Lola in their successful days and having been there at the collapse and then working for Martin Birrane to keep the Lola name going I feel that there is every indication that there could be a new and bright future for Lola and it's great to be working for them again .

[Sterzo]

Here is an excellent interview with Till Bechtolsheimer. As Gerald Swan has already indicated, this man is committed to reviving the business. The overriding impression from the interview is how practical he is. This isn't a dreamer playing about with a historic name.

 

https://www.dailyspo...-lola-cars.html

[Ben1445]

Autosport piece here talking a little bit about Lola’s FE powertrain project - why they’re doing it and the significance for FE.

The significance of Lola and Yamaha’s Formula E project
https://www.autospor...oject/10594284/

“Coming back into racing we needed to differentiate ourselves,” Mark Preston, who heads up the Formula E project, tells Autosport. “We’ve obviously been away too long to just continue what we did previously with aerodynamics and chassis etc. We’ll still do that kind of thing but looking at the powertrains and what’s changed over the years, pretty much all series now have an element, at least at the high level, of electrification going on.”

[Sterzo]

For those with an interest in a bit of history, there are some pictures of where Lola once were on the thread below. (Posts 13 and 14). In the sixties, they moved from Bromley (South London) to Huntingdon in East Anglia, which is where the remnants of the business still are.

 

https://forums.autos...-etc/?hl= sheds

[Gerald Swan]

For those with an interest in a bit of history, there are some pictures of where Lola once were on the thread below. (Posts 13 and 14). In the sixties, they moved from Bromley (South London) to Huntingdon in East Anglia, which is where the remnants of the business still are.

 

https://forums.autos...-etc/?hl= sheds

In fact they moved from the Bromley works to a proper factory in Slough and the to the Huntingdon factory in Cambridgeshire. The chassis number for Lola give away their place of birth BY for Byfleet (the first 4 Mk1s), BR for Bromley, SL for Slough and HU for Huntingdon. If anyone is interested, I do have quite a few pictures of Bromley, Slough and Huntingdon.

Edited by Gerald Swan, 03 April 2024 - 21:41.

[Sterzo]

Ah, did they move out of Bromley to Slough? In my dodgy memory I thought they'd retained their Bromley base while using facilities in Slough at Ford's behest - but I'm usually wrong!

 

And I'm sure that I and many others would be interested in those pictures, whether here or on the "sheds" thread in The Nostalgia Forum.

[Gerald Swan]

Ah, did they move out of Bromley to Slough? In my dodgy memory I thought they'd retained their Bromley base while using facilities in Slough at Ford's behest - but I'm usually wrong!

 

And I'm sure that I and many others would be interested in those pictures, whether here or on the "sheds" thread in The Nostalgia Forum.

You may well be right, I don't have any dates for when one closed and the other opened. There certainly was an overlap between Slough and Huntingdon with cars being produced simultaneously at both sites.

 

I'll sort out some pictures, things are a bit hectic at the moment with all sorts of interesting things happening with Lola .

[Ben1445]

Article from Racer.com which perhaps gives us a clear picture of what Lola may be up to in addition to the FE powertrain project with their 'three pillars' strategy:

Formula E program step one on the comeback trail for Lola
https://racer.com/20...rail-for-lola/ 

 

“The third pillar is sustainable fuels and materials — so might be where we get back into chassis (building), made of some sustainable materials and those elements. And also, obviously, there’s a lot going in the world of biofuels and E-fuels and all of those elements, which are coming into motorsports at the moment.”

Preston says Lola should have a better idea of a timeframe for when it might venture into the hydrogen game by the end of the year, once its integration into the WEC has been nailed down by the FIA. He also suggests Lola is keeping an eye on Extreme H, the upcoming rebrand of Extreme E which will become the world’s first all-hydrogen motorsport series next year, saying “it is of interest.”

[Risil]

I think the real problem was losing the CART contract to supply the spec car. I was told that CART were insisting that the new design had to be built in the US, Lola offered to open a facility in the States to build their new car but CART said no. I was also told that Lola felt the fix was in and CART wanted an out and out American company.

I guess you're referring to Dallara getting the ICONIC tender for 2012? (Champ Car did a spec Panoz right at the end but the contract only lasted a year.)

Indycar's familiarity with Dallara and the Italian marque's offer to build a facility in Indianapolis (which they have done! never underestimate the power of municipal politics in the US, and the Indy 500 especially) were probably the deciding factors. But yes if Lola had been supplying a few dozen Indycars from 2012 on that would surely have helped.

[FLB]

I guess you're referring to Dallara getting the ICONIC tender for 2012? (Champ Car did a spec Panoz right at the end but the contract only lasted a year.)

Indycar's familiarity with Dallara and the Italian marque's offer to build a facility in Indianapolis (which they have done! never underestimate the power of municipal politics in the US, and the Indy 500 especially) were probably the deciding factors. But yes if Lola had been supplying a few dozen Indycars from 2012 on that would surely have helped.

The Panoz deal was supposed to be for more than a year. The series collapsed on itself, but the plan even included an oval version of the DP01. 

 

In the end, it was just cheaper to fold ChampCar into the IRL. where Panoz already had a car.

Edited by FLB, 28 April 2024 - 14:34.

[Risil]

That Champ Car deal surely wouldn't have helped Lola much though? It ran for one season plus the Long Beach farewell race.

[FLB]

That Champ Car deal surely wouldn't have helped Lola much though? It ran for one season plus the Long Beach farewell race.

From what I've always understood, the mergerfication wasn't part of the plan when the DP01 was designed. It was supposed to be a long-term deal.

Edited by FLB, 28 April 2024 - 14:36.

[Risil]

From what I've always understood, the mergerfication wasn't part of the plan when the DP01 was designed. It was supposed to be a long-term deal.

You're right about that, the deal came together very quickly (although I think Kalkhoven was always open to it). But we were discussing the potential for the spec tender to transform Lola's business, and I think the ICONIC one for 2012 might've done but the CCWS one for 2007 wouldn't.

[FLB]

You're right about that, the deal came together very quickly (although I think Kalkhoven was always open to it). But we were discussing the potential for the spec tender to transform Lola's business, and I think the ICONIC one for 2012 might've done but the CCWS one for 2007 wouldn't.

I think the mergerfication was a lot easier because Panoz got the CCWS deal, as I'd imagine Lola would have had to be financially compensated somewhat. Or we would have kept two series for a while longer. FAtlantics being kept alive with a Lola chassis was a possibility too, if I recall correctly.

 

The really interesting bit about Lola's 2012 proposal was that they wanted the same car for both the Big League and Lights: Lola reveals Indycar 2012 concept - Racecar Engineering (racecar-engineering.com)

Edited by FLB, 28 April 2024 - 14:52.

[PayasYouRace]

I think the mergerfication was a lot easier because Panoz got the CCWS deal, as I'd imagine Lola would have had to be financially compensated somewhat. Or we would have kept two series for a while longer. FAtlantics being kept alive with a Lola chassis was a possibility too, if I recall correctly.

 

The really interesting bit about Lola's 2012 proposal was that they wanted the same car for both the Big League and Lights: Lola reveals Indycar 2012 concept - Racecar Engineering (racecar-engineering.com)

They kept the wrong car in the merger. Should have been the DP01 from 2009 onwards.

[Sparky68]

In fact they moved from the Bromley works to a proper factory in Slough and the to the Huntingdon factory in Cambridgeshire. The chassis number for Lola give away their place of birth BY for Byfleet (the first 4 Mk1s), BR for Bromley, SL for Slough and HU for Huntingdon. If anyone is interested, I do have quite a few pictures of Bromley, Slough and Huntingdon.

Be interested in seeing the Huntingdon ones , quite a few people here and at other F1 teams who worked at Lola and Specialised Mouldings in Huntingdon.

[Ben1445]

Having previously committed to building a powertrain for Formula E's Gen3Evo era until Summer 2026, Lola has also committed to the four years of Formula E Gen4 to 2030. They join Nissan, Jaguar and Porsche, who have all previously signed up. 
 
Lola Commits To Formula E GEN4
https://www.fiaformu.../en/news/500732

The Inside Story Of An Important Formula E Coup
https://www.the-race...gen4-explained/

Edited by Ben1445, 03 June 2024 - 14:38.

[Beri]

They kept the wrong car in the merger. Should have been the DP01 from 2009 onwards.

Lets be fair; that chassis wasn't really proven on ovals, now was it?
Considering the schedule of the 2008 IndyCar season consisted more out of Speedways rather than normal or street circuits, the choice for an oval proven chassis was the wise move in my book.

[PayasYouRace]

Lets be fair; that chassis wasn't really proven on ovals, now was it?
Considering the schedule of the 2008 IndyCar season consisted more out of Speedways rather than normal or street circuits, the choice for an oval proven chassis was the wise move in my book.

 

Not proven because Champ Car wasn't running ovals, but it was designed for it. It's not like Panoz didn't have experience of both, seeing as they supplied both series.

[Beri]

Ik not saying that it couldn't hold up on ovals, nor that Panoz didn't know what they were doing.
But considering the situation where a governing body has to pick between two chassis, it is nothing more than logical that they will opt for the safer bet. Certainly when it is a governing body overseeing a unification where everyone is paying attention to. If something as serious as an injury would have occurred with the Panoz chassis, that has only been in contention for just 15 races opposed to a chassis design that with all its iterations had 80 races under its belt, all the negativity would turn to the "wrong choice". So its, as said, nothing more than logic that Dallara continued back then.

[PayasYouRace]

Ik not saying that it couldn't hold up on ovals, nor that Panoz didn't know what they were doing.
But considering the situation where a governing body has to pick between two chassis, it is nothing more than logical that they will opt for the safer bet. Certainly when it is a governing body overseeing a unification where everyone is paying attention to. If something as serious as an injury would have occurred with the Panoz chassis, that has only been in contention for just 15 races opposed to a chassis design that with all its iterations had 80 races under its belt, all the negativity would turn to the "wrong choice". So its, as said, nothing more than logic that Dallara continued back then.

On the other hand, there were many serious injuries in that Dallara. It might have also been pragmatic to get everyone in the newer chassis and even out the level of experience the teams had of the car. The CCWS teams struggled to get competitive as the IRL teams had more years of experience of the IR-04.

[Ben1445]

Out on track: 

https://x.com/LolaRa...402075000193485

Edited by Ben1445, 19 June 2024 - 13:05.

[Vielleicht]

A fascinating thread and a fascinating story. Great collection of insight into the depths of connection between old Lola and this new venture. At least, as much as there can be, given that not much was happening for Lola for a decade. 
 
There was news last week that Lola have also taken over the Formula E entry license from ABT, so they are now owners of the team in addition to being a registered manufacturer.

 

Reflects nicely with the mid-1990s ambition of running the Lola F1 team with a Lola V10. 

[Beri]

Those colors and that name were missed. Im happy they are back.

[Vielleicht]

Sounds like another project is on the cards for Lola as soon as next year 
 

“It’s a somewhat obvious focus on the three areas that are of broader interest: electrification, hydrogen, sustainable fuels and materials. So we’re working actively on projects in each three of those camps, the first being the electrification box ticked with Formula E.”

With that project now a reality, Bechtolsheimer indicated that a return to the sports car arena could be next.

“We’ve got an interesting project on the go at the moment on the sustainable fuels and materials side that we’ll be announcing in 2025,” he revealed. “Hydrogen is a moving target at the moment. We’re expecting updates from the FIA soon in terms of what they’re planning in conjunction with the ACO at Le Mans — that’s something that we’re keeping a keen eye on.

“We’d love to be involved in the Le Mans paddock and sports car paddock in general. I have a personal passion for sports car racing. We’ll be giving more updates next year.”

https://racer.com/20...racing-revival/