Lola Moves Along with
Inhouse Operation
Lola Cars Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Lola Cars Ltd., will commence business from Its 6,500 sq. ft. office and warehouse facility in Indianapolis, starting November 1.
Steve Chassey, former Indy car driver, commentator and team manager, and most recently involved in IndyCar and Indy Lights as Director of Motorsports for Evansville Insurance, will head up Lola's North American organization as Senior Vice President of Operations, effective from 15th July 1996.
"Having Steve on board is a great asset for the new company," comments Lola Cars Ltd's joint Managing Director Mike Blanchet, "as he has vast experience and contacts within the U.S. auto racing fraternity and is highly regarded for his knowledge and integrity."
Steve Chassey's responsibility will be to hone Lola Cars Inc. into an operation providing the focal point for Lola's activities in North America and to create and unmatched supply service for race cars and parts.
Track-side support for Indy and Indy Lights teams will be handled by Lola Cars Inc. staff working out of a 53' trailer connected on-line by computer to the Indianapolis base to effectively manage the expected inventory of up to $5,000,000 worth of parts that will include everything from fully built up chassis and transmission assemblies to the smallest seal, nut, bolt or washer.
Eric Broadley, Chairman of Lola Cars Ltd., sees this as Lola's response to the increasing competitiveness of the IndyCar series and racing in general, and the beginning of the company's increased presence in the USA. "Setting up this facility will allow us to be closer to the action and permit more rapid response to both commercial and engineering matters as well as to the logistics of the car and parts back-up."
To capitalize on this, Chassey will work in the concert with the engineering staff of Lola, now able to base their Stateside activities at the new facility, and with Peter Spruce, Lola's Sales & Commercial Manager, U.S.A. and Colin Whittamore, Lola's Commercial Executive, responsible for IndyCar and Indy Lights car sales respectively.
Commenting on the choice of location, Broadley pinpoints several factors. "The presence of a number of teams in the area, together with suitable vendor partners, was one; the others were the convenience of access for freighting cars and parts from the U.K. together with the welcoming assistance offered to us by the Indianapolis City Authorities and the excellent living and working environment of the locality."
Source: IndyCar Website
