Lola T640/T642/T644 - 10-Tenths Motorsport Forum

**John Turner** · 14 Nov 2006, 20:24

Mark Wilson's Lola T644E, and that folks, I guess, is a rarity, since it was the only one at the Walter Hayes Trophy meeting:-

Ian Sowman · 14 Nov 2006, 21:23

I think a few more T644Es must be around somewhere. Looking at old programmes tends to indicate that there are, or were, at least several around.

Alan Raine · 15 Nov 2006, 09:33

The Lola T644E I believe was a development of the very successful T640. I don't think it sold as well as the Reynards and Van Diemans of the day, but still won quite a few races. I also think that it's possibly the last Formula Ford that Lola made.

**John Turner** · 15 Nov 2006, 09:40

It's certainly a different and interesting shape! When were the T644s built, Ian/Alan?

JohnMiller · 15 Nov 2006, 09:46

Julian Bailey won the Festival in a Lola in 1982 and Gerrit van Kouwen a year or two later.

Was there not the T642 between the T640 and the T644E?

Alan Raine · 15 Nov 2006, 10:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnMiller

Julian Bailey won the Festival in a Lola in 1982 and Gerrit van Kouwen a year or two later.

Was there not the T642 between the T640 and the T644E?

If my memory serves me correctly Andrew Gilbert Scott was favourite for the 81 festival in a T640 but changed to the new Reynard at the last minute.

Julian Bailey won the 1982 Festival in a T640, but only after being attacked by Maurizio Gugelmin (who ended upside down on top of the tyre wall). I have a video of it and Baileys suspension seems to bend as Gugelmin went over the top. It didn't seem to matter as Bailey carried on regardless!

There was a T642.

Gerrit van Kouwen won the 1984 Festival in a T644E. (I think the 'E' stood for European version)

The T640, T642 & T644E all look pretty much the same externally.

Andrew Kitson · 15 Nov 2006, 12:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan Raine

If my memory serves me correctly Andrew Gilbert Scott was favourite for the 81 festival in a T640 but changed to the new Reynard at the last minute.

1983 Alan, yet another win for 'Patch'. That was the Festival when Ross Cheever and Sandro-Sala had that almighty shunt at Paddock.

JohnMiller · 15 Nov 2006, 12:59

The only Reynard win in the top class.

Alan Raine · 15 Nov 2006, 14:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew Kitson

1983 Alan, yet another win for 'Patch'. That was the Festival when Ross Cheever and Sandro-Sala had that almighty shunt at Paddock.

I was viewing from the bottom of Paddock Hill. It was wasn't a question of if it was going to happen but when!

Dan Rear · 16 Nov 2006, 13:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnMiller

Julian Bailey won the Festival in a Lola in 1982 and Gerrit van Kouwen a year or two later.

Was there not the T642 between the T640 and the T644E?

The Lolas described came out in 1982-83-84 respectively for the T640/642/644s. I think Alan's right the 'E' was for a European car as opposed to the US version - different tyres I think.

They were never especially numerous, though all very quick, as shown by results. Don't know why they weren't more popular, perhaps the 'Reynard marketing machine' was in full flow by then, and VDs had many years of history and success behind them. Maybe they were more expensive?

The last year, 84, the main success was van Kouwen at the Festival, though Markie Blundell won the SoT in a T644E I think.

Andrew Kitson · 16 Nov 2006, 19:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Rear

The last year, 84, the main success was van Kouwen at the Festival, though Markie Blundell won the SoT in a T644E I think.

Think it was a Graeme Glew 'Team Touraco' car?

JohnMiller · 16 Nov 2006, 20:06

Fleetray Racing?

**John Turner** · 2 Dec 2006, 09:56

I've copied (and edited a couple of mine!) these posts from the Walter Hayes Trophy meeting thread, which is in the 'Historic Racing Today' forum. It seemed that there was thread within a thread worth developing here. Anyone care to do so?

**chunterer** · 2 Dec 2006, 11:28

Do you mean develop this thread, or edit/copy some of your posts?!!

Well i'm pretty sure the Van Kouwen car was definitely Touraco. It was a sort of dark yellow colour with red sign writing and from memory the only car really capable of challenging the Coyne/Peters works Van Diemen, Pratt Madgwick Reynard steamroller that year and the Festival win was a masterstroke!