Lola plans all-new supercar

The dominant Champ Car chassis supplier has recently expanded its operations into Formula 3 through a partnership with Japanese manufacturer Dome. Now according to Lola's owner Martin Birrane, the company is hoping to return to the sportscar arena. The company already builds MG's nimble EX257 LMP 675 racer which competes in the American Le Mans Series.

"We are excited about Formula 3," said Birrane, "but our biggest challenge now is to create a supercar."

Birrane would not confirm a manufacturer tie-in but said that discussions were in progress with companies. "We have been having discussions with partners for the last four years," he said. "We are in discussions again now because we don't want to build it completely on our own. It's moving along nicely.

"We have got the project on the drawing board and we have got aerodynamics investigations and discussions with engine suppliers all in progress.

"We want to build a GTP car which we can sell to customers and the road car would resemble to a very large extent that car. It will be composite, it will be the lightest and the most aerodynamic and beautiful car. At least this is what we are going to strive for. The road car will be high performance although we can't say how fast right now."

Birrane believes that the project is close to becoming reality: "If we found the right partner we could turn it round in two years."