Lola to build LMP1 for Aston Martin

LOLA LMP1 CHOSEN BY ASTON MARTIN FOR 2009 SPORTSCAR PROGRAMME

LOLA MOST POPULAR SPORTSCAR IN ENDURANCE RACING

Lola will supply LMP1 sportscars to Aston Martin Racing for the 2009 Le Mans 24 Hours and Le Mans Series. The Huntingdon designed and built cars will be powered by a production based V12 Aston Martin engine and race in the evocative blue and orange livery of Gulf Oil.

For Lola, the Aston Martin LMP programme confirms yet another partnership with a major manufacturer, adding to previous collaborations with General Motors, Nissan and MG.

Martin Birrane, Executive Chairman of Lola Group commented: "Lola's first collaboration with Aston Martin was 40 years ago with John Surtees racing the iconic Lola T70 MkIIIB with an Aston Martin engine. I am very pleased that Lola and Aston Martin Racing are competing together again, as the joining of these two great brands in 2008 proved to be very effective. I am hopeful that this partnership will be even more successful during the 2009 season".

It has become evident that Lola sportscars are the design to have in global endurance competition. This season Lola will build on the success of 2008, which saw the Lola LMP1 Coupe score notable results at the Barcelona 1000kms with a debut podium finish, as well as an excellent 2nd place at the Silverstone Le Mans Series race. At the Le Mans 24 Hours, the Charouz entered Lola out-qualified one of the Audi R10 diesel entries and then went on to set the fastest lap of the race for a petrol engined car.

2009 will be a bumper year for Lola in all categories of endurance sportscar racing. Last year the Le Mans 24 Hours saw the Huntingdon constructor field the most cars on the grid. It was the largest entry for Lola since 1979. For this season Lola has high hopes that this particular record can be beaten with yet more LMP cars starting the worlds greatest race.

The 77th running of the Le Mans 24 Hours take place over the weekend of 13- 14 June.

-credit: lola