Lola B2K/40

Lore & Background

The B2K/40 shared some mechanical elements with the larger B2K/10 but was simplified for ease of use. Unlike the B2K/10's raised footbox and protruding nose, the B2K/40 employed a simplified footbox and a flattened nose, though it retained a raised central element to aid airflow between the cockpit and fenders. The fenders were narrow wedges rather than sweeping curves, and radiator intakes were placed inside the fenders instead of on the outer edge. A single air intake under the rollbar fed the engine via a cylindrical nacelle, rather than the large scoop sometimes used on the B2K/10. Later chassis with turbocharged engines added an intake for the turbocharger, with various designs used over the years.

The chosen engine was a small, production-based V6 stipulated by SR2 rules. Advanced Engine Research had an agreement with Nissan to modify their VQ 3.0-litre V6 for the class, but as a customer car the AER-Nissan unit was not universal. Other engines used included a Mazda turbocharged 2-rotor, a Judd V8, a Porsche Flat-6, and a Ford turbocharged inline-4 developed by Millington. A total of sixteen B2K/40s were built.

The B2K/40 debuted in mid-2000 with customers in North America and Europe. It achieved class wins in the USRRC, ALMS, and Sports Racing World Cup, and took the LMP675 class win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2000. Over subsequent years, it continued to earn championships and victories in various series, with teams such as Archangel Motorsports, Rand Racing, Intersport Racing, and Miracle Motorsports among its users.

Reader's Guide

The Lola B2K/40 was significant as an accessible, customer-focused prototype that allowed smaller teams to compete in top-level endurance racing. Its simplified design and lower cost compared to the B2K/10 made it popular in the SR2 and later LMP675 and LMP2 classes. The car's adaptability to different engines—from the standard AER-Nissan V6 to Mazda rotary, Judd V8, Porsche flat-6, and Ford inline-4—demonstrated its flexibility as a platform. Over its lifespan, the B2K/40 accumulated multiple class championships and race wins, including class victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2000 and 2004. Its legacy is tied to the transition period when prototype classes were evolving, and it served as a bridge to the later B05/40. The car's last competition use was in 2006, after which it was superseded by newer designs, but it remains a notable example of Lola's customer racing philosophy.

Did You Know?

• The B2K/40 was designed as a cheaper, smaller, and lighter alternative to the Lola B2K/10.
• It won the LMP675 class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2000 and the LMP2 class in 2004.