Lola B2K/40
The Lola B2K/40 was a
Development
Although the B2K/40 shared some mechanical elements with the larger B2K/10, the design was more simplified for the sake of ease of use. Unlike the raised footbox B2K/10 and large protruding nose caused by this footbox, the B2K/40 would employ a simplified footbox and a flattened nose, although it still featured a raised element in the middle to help air flow between the cockpit and fenders. The fenders themselves were also much simpler, using a narrow wedge shape instead of the sweeping curves of the B2K/10. Intakes for the radiators would be placed inside the fenders, instead of on the outer edge as on the B2K/10. A single air intake underneath the rollbar would be employed for feeding the engine, although the B2K/40 employed a cylindrical nacelle instead of the large scoop that was sometimes used on the B2K/10. Some later chassis employed turbocharged engines, which required the addition of an intake for the turbocharger. Various designs were used over the years.
For an engine, the chosen Lola unit was a small, production based V6 that was stipulated by SR2 class rules.
A total of sixteen B2K/40s were built.
Racing history
Debuting during the middle of the 2000 season, the first B2K/40s were delivered to various customers in the
For 2001, the number of B2K/40s in competition would nearly double. USRRC saw the return of Snow/Schumacher, Archangel, and TRP while gaining Northstar Racing, Porschehaus Racing, followed by Multimatic Motorsports and Rand Racing. Unfortunately, the ALMS would see only Roock-KnightHawk Racing competing regularly in the new LMP675 class, while the Sports Racing World Cup (now renamed the FIA Sportscar Championship) would see SportsRacing Team Sweden running alone again. USRRC was another dominant year for the B2K/40 with another nine class wins, six for championship winner Archangel, two for Porschehaus, and one for Rand Racing. In Europe, SportsRacing Team Sweden would take four class victories and also take the SR2 championship. Unfortunately, KnightHawk would be unable to score a single win in the ALMS season, although they did manage to take second in the LMP675 championship. They were also the only team to enter the 24 Hours of Le Mans, where they unfortunately failed to finish.
2002 would begin to see continued success for the B2K/40. The USRRC series would see only Rand Racing-Risi Competizione as consistent competitors, with Porschehaus and Archangel Motorsports only making occasional appearances. Although Rand-Risi would be amongst the few SR2 class competitors in the series, they were able to score nine wins and take the championship. However the American Le Mans Series would see a boost in competitors Archangel Motorsports moved to the series, joining occasional runners Spencer Motorsports, Essex Racing, and Kyser Racing. Archangel would take two class victories and finish third in the LMP675 championship. SportsRacing Team Sweden would continue to be the only European squad, but would not be able to repeat their previous success, finishing third in the championship without a single win.
2003 began to see a decline in results for the B2K/40. The
2004 would see the end of the SR2 class in the USRRC as well as the cancellation of the FIA Sportscar Championship, leaving the
For 2005, a change in regulations for the
External links
- Mulsannes Corner - Lola B2K/40 technical analysis
- World Sports Racing Prototype - Lola Sports Car chassis index