Lola Factory Team on Track

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Lola Factory Team on Track
©1997 SpeedCenter Internet Publishing, Inc.
British chassis maker hopes to regain market share in CART
By Dan Proudfoot
Martin Birrane has flown to Indianapolis to tell the racing world Lolais on the way up once more. Al Unser Jr., Michael Andretti, BobbyRahal and Nigel Mansell drove Lolas to consecutive Indy carchampionships from 1990 to 1993, but the English cars since have losttheir major customers to Reynard.
"All but three teams have put down deposits for other cars," Birranesaid yesterday. But the new owner of the legendary racing firm wasn'tabout to concede to Reynard.
"We certainly hope to have a competitive team running Lolas in 1998,but if we don't we'll just do a season-long testing schedule in whichwe prove we have the faster car," he said.
"In the past, first March and then Lola enjoyed virtual monopolies assuppliers of Indy cars. At the moment Reynard has the monopoly. Buttheir strength also is their weakness - it can't possibly have 20teams all satisfied.
"At some point, some team is going to recognize the benefit to begained by becoming our works team." Patrick Racing and thePlayer's/Forsythe team switched from Lolas to Reynards at the startof this year's season after disappointing test results. Later, SteveHorne's Tasman Motorsport, a longstanding Lola stalwart, purchased aReynard for Andre Ribeiro.
But Adrian Fernandez, Tasman's second driver, finished third in aLola in the season closer at Fontana, Calif.
"Adrian benefited from the fact the car finally got some time in thewind tunnel," said Birrane, an Irishman who lived in Toronto from1958 and 1962 and has made a fortune in property development. "SinceFontana we've made great strides in tests with Steve Horne atFirebird Raceway." [See story on Oct. 28]
Other news tidbits:
Player's is expected to announce today thatPatrick Carpentier will drive a second car fielded by Forsythe Racing.
Bobby Rahal, at 44 CART's oldest driver, tomorrow will announcehis retirement. [SpeedCenter will get you the news during the conference around 2:30pm CDT tomorrow]
Source: Canada Online


		NOW AVAILABLE! — The Official Directory for CART Racing

		Lola Factory Team on Track ©1997 SpeedCenter Internet Publishing, Inc. British chassis maker hopes to regain market share in CART By Dan Proudfoot Martin Birrane has flown to Indianapolis to tell the racing world Lolais on the way up once more. Al Unser Jr., Michael Andretti, BobbyRahal and Nigel Mansell drove Lolas to consecutive Indy carchampionships from 1990 to 1993, but the English cars since have losttheir major customers to Reynard. "All but three teams have put down deposits for other cars," Birranesaid yesterday. But the new owner of the legendary racing firm wasn'tabout to concede to Reynard. "We certainly hope to have a competitive team running Lolas in 1998,but if we don't we'll just do a season-long testing schedule in whichwe prove we have the faster car," he said. "In the past, first March and then Lola enjoyed virtual monopolies assuppliers of Indy cars. At the moment Reynard has the monopoly. Buttheir strength also is their weakness - it can't possibly have 20teams all satisfied. "At some point, some team is going to recognize the benefit to begained by becoming our works team." Patrick Racing and thePlayer's/Forsythe team switched from Lolas to Reynards at the startof this year's season after disappointing test results. Later, SteveHorne's Tasman Motorsport, a longstanding Lola stalwart, purchased aReynard for Andre Ribeiro. But Adrian Fernandez, Tasman's second driver, finished third in aLola in the season closer at Fontana, Calif. "Adrian benefited from the fact the car finally got some time in thewind tunnel," said Birrane, an Irishman who lived in Toronto from1958 and 1962 and has made a fortune in property development. "SinceFontana we've made great strides in tests with Steve Horne atFirebird Raceway." [See story on Oct. 28] Other news tidbits: Player's is expected to announce today thatPatrick Carpentier will drive a second car fielded by Forsythe Racing. Bobby Rahal, at 44 CART's oldest driver, tomorrow will announcehis retirement. [SpeedCenter will get you the news during the conference around 2:30pm CDT tomorrow] Source: Canada Online