Lola Cars Shuts Down; Future Uncertain for Teams

Lola CarsFord ZephyrUnited States of America, 1950 > 19724 series
10 versions
5 photos
International was unable to find a buyer since going into administration and will shut down. Teams competing with the current B12/60Lola B12/60 CoupeUnited Kingdom, 2011 > present2 photos
1 video
and B12/80Lola B12/80 COUPEUnited Kingdom, 2012 > present3 versions
10 photos
LMP1 and LMP2 cars respectively face an uncertain future. The cars will obviously no longer be developed and there will no longer be a source for spare parts. 

Lola chassis currently make up three of the ten cars in the LMP2 class this weekend at Fuji and two of the eight cars in the LMP1. It has even more cars in the European Le Mans Series and American Le Mans Series.

The only current alternative for the LMP1 teams is the HPD ARXHonda HPD ARX 03aJapan, 2012 > present2 photos
1 video
chassis, but it forces teams to use a Honda engine. The two the Lola B12/60s in the WEC use ToyotaToyotaJapan, 1937 > present133 models
3423 photos
9 videos
engines, and one in the ALMS uses a MazdaMazdaJapan, 1920 > present59 models
1766 photos
7 videos
engine. 

Options in LMP2 are slightly better. There is the MorganMorganUnited Kingdom, 1909 > present12 models
95 photos
1 video
-branded Oak PescaroloOAK Racing OAK-PescaroloFrance, 2012 > present4 photos
1 video
chassis and the Oreca 03Oreca Oreca 03France, 2011 > present2 versions
3 photos
. 

If teams believe that they have enough spare body parts, they could theoretically still run either car next season. There is also the possibility that someone could found a company creating Lola spares for a year because the 2014 rules change will lead to new chassis. 

Lola was founded in 1958 and has created chassis for Formula 1, Indy Car and prototypes in its career. The started as a Lola chassis. The company had a reputation of offering high quality customer racing chassis for a reasonable price. 

Lola Composites will remain in business as a carbon fiber contractor. 

Source: Le Mans