Lola reveals MG Le Mans racer design

The MG Lola was designed in-house by a dedicated team of sports car specialists and is expected to have its first run in March next year. The 2001 event will mark MG's return to international motor racing, and the marque was last officially represented at the French classic in 1965 when a lone MGB finished second in class.

Lola's B2K/40 SR2 car won the LMP675 category at La Sarthe last year and the lessons learned from that, and a season's racing with its B2K/10 SR1 machine, has been used in the design of the MG Lola. The car will be powered by a new AER-developed two-litre, turbo-charged MG Rover engine.

"This is the most technically advanced sportscar Lola has ever designed and built," said David Bowes, Lola Cars International's Managing Director. "It is the fourth sports racing car we have designed in the last two years and although we've learned an awful lot from the first three, including winning our class at Le Mans in 2000, this one will be completely new. I believe when it hits the track it will impress and surprise a lot of people."

The MG Lola Le Mans car is the first MG motorsport project since the Rover Group was bought by the Phoenix Consortium, which included Lola, this year. An attack on the new-look British Touring Car Championship is also on the cards, which could happen as early as the middle of next season.

"MG has a fine pedigree in motorsport and a return to Le Mans is an important step in developing the brand," Rob Oldaker, MG Rover Group director of product development. "There will be other MG motorsports projects in 2001 as well. The technical challenges of motorsport will be of great advantage to my team as we roll out new MG road cars over the next few years."