Ascari A410
A Lola-based LMP900 with a Judd V10 engine.
The Ascari A410 was a Le Mans Prototype constructed by Ascari Cars in 2000. It was derived from the Lola T92/10 Group C racer and used a 4-litre Judd GV4 V10 engine. The car took part in European and international sports car racing. In 2002, it was rebranded as the Ascari KZR-1. Only two complete cars and one spare chassis were ever built. Klaas Zwart founded Ascari Cars in the late 1990s and entered the team in sports car racing with the Ascari Ecosse in 1999. The A410 followed in 2000, built for the LMP900 class. Its name came from the 4-litre Judd GV4 V10 engine. The chassis and suspension were based on the Lola T92/10, and while the A410 had an open cockpit—unlike the closed T92/10—it kept styling cues such as the flat-nosed front end. The Judd GV4 engine itself was a larger version of the 3.5-litre GV10 used in the earlier Lola, which had originally been a Formula One engine. Both cars were built and debuted in 2000. In 2002, they were renamed KZR-1 (not to be confused with the later Ascari KZ1-R GT3 car) and shipped to America. The A410 featured a carbon fibre monocoque chassis and double wishbone suspension with push-rod actuated coil springs and dampers at both ends. The naturally aspirated Judd GV4 produced about 600 hp at 10,250 rpm and 450 Nm of torque at 8,500 rpm. While its power output was similar to the dominant Audi R8, the A410’s naturally aspirated engine delivered roughly 250 Nm less torque than the R8’s twin-turbocharged 3.6-litre V8. The car used a six-speed sequential gearbox driving the rear wheels and carbon fibre disc brakes, standard for the class. The A410 made its debut in the 500 km of Silverstone in 2000, but gearbox problems prevented it from racing. The team then attempted the 24 Hours of Le Mans but was not invited after missing the Le Mans Test. Zwart entered himself with Werner Lupberger and Jeffrey van Hooydonk at the 1000 km of Nürburgring, where the car started a race for the first time but retired after 41 laps with another gearbox failure. At Brno in the Sports Racing World Cup, an A410 finished a race for the first time: Lupberger and Zwart placed 19th and last, twelve laps behind the next car.
Quick Facts
- Car Name
- Ascari A410 / Ascari KZR-1
- Category
- LMP900
- Constructor
- Ascari Cars
- Designer
- John McNeil
- Predecessor
- Lola T92/10
- Team
- Team Ascari
- Chassis
- Carbon fibre monocoque
- Front Suspension
- Double wishbone suspension, with push-rod actuated coil springs and dampers
- Engine Name
- Judd GV4
- Capacity
- 3997 cc
- Configuration
- V10 engine
- Turbo/Na
- naturally-aspirated
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Ascari A410 was developed after Klaas Zwart founded Ascari Cars in the late 1990s and entered sports car racing with the Ascari Ecosse in 1999. The A410 took its name from its 4-litre Judd GV4 V10 engine and was based on the Lola T92/10 Group C car, sharing its chassis design and suspension. Although the A410 had open bodywork unlike the T92/10's closed cockpit, it retained styling cues such as the flat-nosed front end. The Judd GV4 was a larger version of the 3.5-litre GV10 used in the earlier Lola, which itself originated as a Formula One engine. Two cars and a spare chassis were built. The A410 made its debut in the 500 km of Silverstone in 2000, but gearbox problems prevented it from racing. It was not invited to the 24 Hours of Le Mans that year after missing the test.
Reader's Guide
The Ascari A410's significance lies in its role as Ascari Cars' first purpose-built Le Mans Prototype, bridging the team's early efforts with the Ascari Ecosse and its later focus on the Ascari KZ1 supercar. Although the A410 never achieved the sustained success of class rivals like the Audi R8, it demonstrated competitive potential, notably winning the Donington Park round of the FIA Sportscar Championship in 2001 and finishing second at Monza. The car's Judd GV4 V10 engine, producing 600 hp, was naturally aspirated and offered less torque than the turbocharged Audi R8, which limited its performance on certain circuits. The A410's legacy includes its evolution into the KZR-1 for American racing and its role in developing Ascari's racing program before the company shifted to producing the KZ1 supercar and competing in the EuroBOSS series with classic Formula One cars.
Did You Know?
- The A410 was based on the Lola T92/10 Group C car and shared its chassis design and suspension.
- The car's name came from its 4-litre Judd GV4 V10 engine.
- The A410 won its first and only race at Donington Park in 2001.
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