Lola T600 GTP

The Lola T600

In 1981, IMSA introduced the new GTP (Grand Touring Prototype) category. These regulations closely resembled those of the FIA Group C cars that would debut in the World Endurance Championship in 1982. The new prototypes were required to meet a minimum weight of 900 kg and could use production?based engines of up to six litres.

Brian Redman, officially retired from racing at the time, discussed a potential new design with Lola founder Eric Broadley. Broadley liked the concept and, together with French aerodynamicist Max Sardou, began developing a new underbody for the car. Extensive wind?tunnel testing was carried out at Imperial College, with particular focus on refining the ground?effect tunnels.

Using Sardou’s aerodynamic theories, the Lola T600 featured rear wheel covers and carefully packaged suspension components positioned outside the venturi airflow to maximise downforce. Unlike contemporary Formula 1 cars, the T600 did not use side skirts. Instead, airflow entering from the sides increased downforce as the car slid, making the design particularly effective.

The T600 GTP was Broadley’s first closed?cockpit sports prototype since the Lola T70. The car featured a full?length sheet and honeycomb aluminium monocoque, outboard suspension, and twin 60?litre fuel tanks. The venturi tunnels began beneath the cockpit floor.

Power was supplied by a Chevrolet V8 built by Gerald Davis. The 350?cubic?inch engine used a reinforced NASCAR block and aluminium cylinder heads. Although these modifications added approximately 25 pounds, the team believed the engine’s improved durability justified the increase.

It was agreed that the first two chassis built — HU1 and HU2 — would be delivered to the Cooke?Woods Racing team for the 1981 IMSA Championship.

Chassis HU1 was powered by a 5.8?litre Chevrolet V8 and fitted with Hewland’s new VG (Variable Gear) gearbox, capable of running in four? or five?speed configuration. The car made its debut at Laguna Seca, where Brian Redman claimed victory. He would go on to win a total of five IMSA races that season.

Chassis HU2 was fitted with a 3.2?litre turbocharged Porsche engine and entered for the 1981 24 Hours of Le Mans, driven by Brian Redman and Bobby Rahal. Due to limited testing and ongoing turbocharger issues, the car failed to qualify.

Chassis HU2 – Ownership History

HU2 has had only five owners since new:

May 1981: Delivered to the Cooke?Woods Racing team Post?Le Mans: Ralph Kent?Cooke installed a Chevrolet V8 and raced the car in several events during 1983, including the Daytona 24 Hours and Sebring 12 Hours 1984.
Sold to Steven Wieneck of Wieneck Motorsports 1986
Acquired by Peter Kaus for the Rosso Bianco Collection, where it remained on display for nearly two decades, wearing a yellow livery similar to HU1 2006: Following the dispersal of the collection, ownership passed to Kent Abrahamsson
2017: The car joined the Ascott Collection and was returned to its original 1981 Le Mans livery

Chassis HU3 – Ford Cosworth Power

Chassis HU3 is the only Lola T600 fitted with a 3.3?litre Ford Cosworth F1?derived engine. It was entered for the 1981 24 Hours of Le Mans and driven by Emilio de Villota and Guy Edwards, wearing the Universal Unipart livery.

Known race results for T600?HU3:

26 April 1981 – 6 Hours of Monza: DNF;  10 May 1981 – 6 Hours of Silverstone: DNF;  24 May 1981 – 1000 km Nürburgring: Class Winner;  13 June 1981 – 24 Hours of Le Mans: 3rd in Class;  28 June 1981 – 6 Hours of Enna: Overall Winner ; 27 September 1981 – 1000 km Brands Hatch: Overall Winner

Later Chassis

HU4 was initially campaigned by Wood Racing and later by John Paul Racing. Driven primarily by John Paul Jr., it competed in IMSA from 1981 to 1983. After several ownership changes, the car was acquired by Don Devine in the late 1980s and remained in storage until 2014. It has since undergone a full two?year restoration and is presented in its original JLP Racing livery.

HU5 was built for Chris Cord Racing for IMSA competition.

HU6 and HU7 were raced by Ted Field’s Interscope Racing team during the 1982 IMSA season, driven by Field, Danny Ongais and Bill Whittington (#0). In 1983, one chassis competed in the Daytona 24 Hours powered by a Chevrolet V6 Turbo, but retired early due to turbocharger failure. This marked the car’s final professional race. The team later also acquired chassis HU9.

HU8, finished in white, was raced by Hurley Haywood and Bruce Leven for Bayside Disposal in 1983. It was later sold to Taco Almeida and competed in Miami between 1984 and 1986 with a Ford engine.

HU10 also competed in IMSA, while HU11 was raced by Conte Racing during the 1983 and 1984 seasons.

HU12 was raced by Karl?Heinz Becker, initially powered by a BMW Turbo engine and later by a Ford Cosworth V8. From 1982 onwards, it competed in the DRM, Interserie and Supercup championships, with its last recorded race in 1993.