The Lola B12/60 features entirely re-designed front bodywork (Photo Credit: Lola)
Lola have unveiled the new B12/60 coupe that will race in this season's European (ELMS) and American Le Mans Series (ALMS) and FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) with a variety of teams.
Teams running Lola chassis won both the European and American series crowns in 2011, but the Cambridgeshire based manufacturer have spent the off-season working on a number of changes to the chassis and bodywork, creating what the company explains as “significantly different” car for the 2012 campaigns.
“After a detailed aerodynamic development study over the autumn/winter period our LMP1 car has effectively had a re-design for the 2012 season,” said Martin Biranne, Lola executive chairman. “Our customers share Lola’s vision and technical thirst for continuous improvement, so we believe that all our entries in the FIA WEC, ALMS and ELMS this year will again be competing for further silverware with the new-look Lola B12/60. I would like to wish all our customers a successful season.”
Three examples of the B12/60 are entered for the season opener – the 60th 12 Hours of Sebring. Two Toyota powered chassis from Rebellion Racing, while ALMS champions Dyson Racing will run a single Mazda engine car for drivers Chris Dyson, Guy Smith and Steven Kane.
“We're really looking forward to a big step forward this season with the new Lola B12/60 LMP1 Coupe,” said Dyson. “It is really a clean sheet of paper approach in many respects. The new aerodynamic package looks very good indeed. The new design stresses to a far greater degree the weight advantage of our AER-designed 2.0 litre Mazda turbo engine–the lightest powerplant in LMP1. From the outset, we have packaged the weight distribution of the car to maximise improved aero capabilities. We knew the previous Lola so well that we can pinpoint from day one where we can improve, and hit the ground running. I just can’t wait to get behind the wheel and start defending our ALMS championship.”
