CARS
RML,
in association with AD Group, entered the international
sportscar arena in late 2003 with an ex-works
MG Lola EX257 in the inaugural race of what was
then called the Le Mans Endurance Series, or LMES.
Over
the next five years the team remained loyal to
the MG brand, actively developing the chassis
in partnership with Lola Cars of Huntingdon, and
winning the LMP2 class in the Le Mans 24 Hours
two years in a row; 2005 and 2006. Throughout
this period the regular driver pairing of Thomas
Erdos and Mike Newton established a reputation
as front-runners in LMP2 prototype racing, adding
the 2007 Le Mans Series drivers' title to their
haul of race wins and lap records.
At
the same time, the cars they drove were enhanced
and developed, and underwent a series of name-changes
too. The AER-engined MG EX257 was replaced by
the EX264, initially with Judd V8 power (2005),
and then reverting to the turbocharged two-litre
AER engine for the 2006 season. Further development
allowed the EX264 to complete a second season
in 2007, which netted the Le Mans Series LMP2
titles not only for the drivers individually but
also the team as a whole. A comprehensive upgrade
for 2008, including updated MG XP-21 engine, resulted
in re-homologation of the chassis as the MG EX265.
This culminated in the MG marque's last-ever appearance
with RML AD Group when the MG EX265C coupé
made its debut (and, it transpired, one-and-only
race) at Silverstone in September 2008.
With
the MG-derived engine reaching the end of its
development potential, and with no sign of the
promised support coming from MG's new owners in
China, a line was drawn under what had been a
remarkable period of success for RML AD Group
in endurance racing. The signing of a new engine
and technical support deal with Mazda at the end
of 2008 heralded a new era, and in February 2009
the new Lola Mazda took to the track for the first
time at Snetterton. Regrettably, the unit's early
promise was never truly realised, and the 2009
season was punctuated by a succession of disappointing
engine failures that denied the team any degree
of success. Despite this, the car was consistently
on the pace, and amongst the quickest in LMP2.
In
February 2010 RML AD Group revealed a new engine
deal with Honda Performance Development Inc (HPD)
that will see the team's Lola B08/80 Coupé
fitted with the normally-aspirated HPD LM-V8 for
the 2010 season. Full details on that car will
be posted here shortly. In the meantime, for further
details about the RML Lola Mazda B08/86, or to
discover more about the MG LMP2 sports prototypes,
chose between these two links:
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