Lola B08/80

Closed-cockpit LMP2 coupe derived from the Lola B08/60.

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The Lola B08/80 is a closed-cockpit Le Mans Prototype from Lola Cars International. It serves as the LMP2 counterpart to the larger B08/60, and together they mark Lola's first closed-cockpit sports prototypes since the T92/10 from 1992. The B08/80 is tailored for the smaller engines and reduced weight required by the LMP2 class, unlike the heavier B08/60.

The first B08/80 chassis was campaigned by the joint Speedy Racing Team and Sebah Automotive entry in the Le Mans Series and at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, using a Judd V8 engine. A second car debuted with B-K Motorsports and Mazda at Petit Le Mans in October 2008 in the American Le Mans Series. A third chassis went to Ray Mallock, who combined it with parts from his previous B05/40 to create the MG-Lola EX265C for the Le Mans Series. After B-K Motorsports closed in late 2008, their car was sold to Dyson Racing. In the 2009 Le Mans Series, the B08/80 was the second-fastest LMP2, behind the Essex Porsche.

Dyson Racing ran two upgraded B09/86s in the 2009 American Le Mans Series LMP2 class, with the #20 car scoring its first class win at Lime Rock Park. In 2010, Dyson scaled to one car but achieved greater success, taking the B09/86's first overall pole at Laguna Seca and its first overall win at Mid-Ohio. In Europe, RML won the 2010 Le Mans Series LMP2 Teams and Drivers' Championships with their B08/80, highlighted by a class win at the 2010 1000 km of Algarve.

For the 2011 American Le Mans Series, Dyson Racing upgraded their B09/86s to LMP1 specification, starting the season with the #16 car. The #20 car returned from the Northeast Grand Prix onward and scored an overall win at the Baltimore Grand Prix. Though the #16 car never won a race, it secured the ALMS LMP1 championship. Level 5 Motorsports ran upgraded B11/80s in the 2011 Intercontinental Le Mans Cup and the 2011 24 Hours of Le Mans, except at Silverstone and Zhuhai, finishing third in LMP2 and tenth overall at Le Mans. Level 5 then switched to the HPD ARX-01g for Petit Le Mans and continued with Honda power in 2012.

The Lola B12/80 remained common in prototype racing for some time. Gulf Racing ran two B12/80s in the WEC, Dempsey Racing fielded one in the ALMS, and Black Swan Racing used the former 2011 Level 5 B11/80.

Quick Facts

Manufacturer: Lola Cars International
Category: LMP2
First chassis used by: Speedy Racing Team and Sebah Automotive
Engine (speedy/sebah car): Judd V8
Championship wins: 2010 Le Mans Series LMP2 Teams and Drivers' Championships (RML)

Facts from the source article.

Lore & Background

The first chassis of the B08/80 was used by the joint Speedy Racing Team and Sebah Automotive outfits in the Le Mans Series as well as at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, powered by the latest V8 engine from Judd. A second car was entered by B-K Motorsports and Mazda in the American Le Mans Series, debuting at the Petit Le Mans in October 2008, while a third B08/80 chassis was sold to Ray Mallock and completed with parts from the team's former B05/40 to create the MG-Lola EX265C for the Le Mans Series. B-K Motorsports closed shop in late 2008 and sold their car to Dyson Racing. During the 2009 LMS season, the B08/80 was the second fastest LMP2, behind the Essex Porsche.

Dyson Racing ran two upgraded B09/86s in the 2009 American Le Mans Series in LMP2, with the #20 car achieving its first class win at Lime Rock Park. For 2010, Dyson scaled back to one car but brought the Lola B09/86 its first overall pole at Laguna Seca and its first overall win at Mid-Ohio. In the Le Mans Series in Europe, RML won the 2010 Le Mans Series LMP2 Teams and Drivers' Championships with their Lola B08/80, highlighted by a class win at the 2010 1000 km of Algarve.

Reader's Guide

The Lola B08/80 and its subsequent evolutions (B09/86, B11/80, B12/80) formed a significant lineage in LMP2 and later LMP1 competition. Dyson Racing's B09/86s scored overall poles and wins in the American Le Mans Series, while RML's B08/80 secured the 2010 Le Mans Series LMP2 titles. Level 5 Motorsports ran upgraded B11/80s in the 2011 Intercontinental Le Mans Cup and the 2011 24 Hours of Le Mans, finishing third in LMP2 and tenth overall. Gulf Racing, Dempsey Racing, and Black Swan Racing continued fielding B12/80s in the WEC and ALMS. By 2013, all teams had retired their B12/80s due to uncertainty over parts support from Lola. In 2014, Mazda and Speedsource became customers of two Lola LMP2s using the SkyActiv-D engine. For the 2016 WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, Mazda entered a B08/80 with livery based on the Mazdaspeed 787B that won the 1991 24 Hours of Le Mans, commemorating the 25th anniversary of that victory.