Taurus Lola Questions - 10-Tenths Motorsport Forum

**Tim Northcutt** · 29 Mar 2004, 21:36

These cropped up on other threads, but I wanted to put them into a new topic to see I they could be sorted out:

1. I recall reading lasy week that Taurus was planning to campaign one of their two cars in LMES and the other in ALMS...

- Any truth to that rumor?
- If it IS true, which car will be in which Series?
- Any word on who they will work with in North America for failities, crews, etc.?

2. Someone also posted a link to another Le Mans type site that had a story that said the Taurus Lola-Diesel was scheduled to test somewhere last week...

- Does anyone know where?
- Did the test hapen?
- Any word on how the car did?

3. Justin Wilson was VERY fast at Sebring....since there is not a Champ Car conflict in his racing schedule....

- Does anyone know if he will be one of the pilots at Le Mans?
- Has he competed there before?
- Does he have to do the 10 laps to "qualify" during the Test Days?

Thanks!

The Badger · 29 Mar 2004, 22:55

I heard it was the Judd V10 for the ALMS and the Diesel for the LMES . Someone said that they would also be testing today with a diesel in the back of a B2k-40 , but maybe that was a missprint !

**skycafe** · 29 Mar 2004, 23:19

I read that somewhere too. I hope we get update. My understanding is that the Intersport car is the one that is being fitted with the Judd Diesel, and the Sebring veteran will retain the petrol Judd.

I wonder how easy it will be to fit a turbo Judd Diesel to the Lola, and I really wonder about the transmission, which seems like it is going to have a load of torque thrown at it.

The Badger · 29 Mar 2004, 23:40

Taurus have bought the 2 ex-Intersport chassis . Its not a Judd diesel either , no info on that yet apart from that . They seem to have a gearbox partner working with them !

BSchneiderFan · 30 Mar 2004, 00:04

Ricardo?

**skycafe** · 30 Mar 2004, 00:32

well, according to www.lmsr.net/diesle.html, it is the Caterpillar Diesel. Also mentions Xtrac tie in, so I guess that answers the gearbox development issues.

**skycafe** · 30 Mar 2004, 00:50

Planet LeMans say it is the GV5 all dieseled up. Their photo shows 'Ricardo' on the cam cover.

Duffacus · 30 Mar 2004, 06:40

Last weeks Autosport said it was a B2K/40 which confused me abit!

djone101 · 30 Mar 2004, 06:56

It is no relation to the Ricardo Diesel. They have nothing to do with the project.

KA · 30 Mar 2004, 07:25

Quote:

Originally posted by Tim Northcutt
These cropped up on other threads, but I wanted to put them into a new topic to see I they could be sorted out:
1. I recall reading lasy week that Taurus was planning to campaign one of their two cars in LMES and the other in ALMS...
- Any truth to that rumor?
- If it IS true, which car will be in which Series?
- Any word on who they will work with in North America for failities, crews, etc.?
2. Someone also posted a link to another Le Mans type site that had a story that said the Taurus Lola-Diesel was scheduled to test somewhere last week...
- Does anyone know where?
- Did the test hapen?
- Any word on how the car did?
3. Justin Wilson was VERY fast at Sebring....since there is not a Champ Car conflict in his racing schedule....
- Does anyone know if he will be one of the pilots at Le Mans?
- Has he competed there before?
- Does he have to do the 10 laps to "qualify" during the Test Days?
Thanks!

According to the original report in Autosport they'll be doing the last 6 ALMS races, but haven't decided whether this will be with the diesel or a Judd. No hint on who they might work with in the US, but Larry Oberto is confirmed to drive in the ALMS car.- just noticed that Autosport said they'd committed to doing ALMS with 'at least one' of their cars, so maybe a chance of both the diesel and a Judd at some point- think I read on DSC that they now have 3 Lolas, having bought 2 from Intersport

The diesel is expected to run it's first race at the Monza LMES race in May, and makes it's public debut at the LM test weekend. It first tested at the end of last week at Snetterton, driven by Phil Andrews- I'm sure there was a brief piece on DSC over the weekend (or yesterday) on this, but can't remmber what it said- think it was probably the first time the engine's been run in the car, so probably nothing significant in terms of lap times etc

From the reports I've read, the only drivers confirmed so far are Andrews for the diesel, and Didier Andre & Benjamin Leuenberger for the Judd at LM- think Leuenberger is also signed for the LMES races.

The mention of a B2K/40 seems to have been an Autosport error- was corrected by DSC

KA · 30 Mar 2004, 07:37

I don't think Justin Wilson has driven at LM before- pretty sure his only sportscar exprience is his two Sebring appearances (with Ascari a couple of years back- but I don't recall him being part of their LM lineup- and Taurus this year) and a couple of FIA GT outings in a Porsche GT3RS

KA · 30 Mar 2004, 07:45

Quote:

Originally posted by djone101
It is no relation to the Ricardo Diesel. They have nothing to do with the project.

Ian Dawson of Taurus is quoted in the Autosport article- 'when the Ricardo and Cosworth projects didn't materialise this year, I decided to make it happen myself to ensure we could say we were first. Getting a company like Caterpillar on board was the key'- which confirms your point about this not being the Ricardo project.

The article also says that the identity of the production engine used as the basis or the race engine has yet to be revealed- now there can't be that many manufacturers building V10's, so any guesses....?